BOOK MARKED
16 Great Reads
for Artsy Kids
March is Youth Art Month,
and this year’s theme is
“Art Connects Us.”
Children and teens can further
connect to art through literature,
so here’s a selection of fiction
and non-fiction books celebrating
the visual arts for young people.

BY AMY K. ALAPATI,
HEAD OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES AT THE DAMASCUS BRANCH
OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
PICTURE BOOKS
textured drawings in two styles elevate the
layered story.

Illustrated by Grace Helmer,
edited by Jocelyn Norbury,
designed by Jack Clucas
“The Chalk Giraffe”
What better way to introduce math than
through fine art? Joyous animals leap off
these board pages in homage to various
styles of renowned artists. From Monet
to Kahlo to Lichtenstein, the youngest
children will delight in the details while
learning to count.

When a chalked giraffe comes to life and
demands an increasingly elaborate chalk
world, the exasperated artist rubs him out
with her shoe. The next day, filled with regret,
she uses her empathy (and her chalk!) to fix
her mistake. Vibrant colors make the lush
world pop off the black pages.

“Kahlo’s Koalas:
1, 2, 3, Count Art with Me”
“The Pencil”
Written by Susan Avingaq and
Maren Vsetula,
illustrated by Charlene Chua
EARLY ELEMENTARY
Living in an igloo means being thrifty with
resources, so three children are astonished
when their father lets them use their only
pencil to draw pictures on their only sheet of
paper. What will their mother say when she
returns? This celebration of creativity draws
on the author’s life in Nunavut, Canada.

Bea Garcia’s best friend moved to Australia,
and a monster moved in next door. Bea copes
with the rambunctious bully by drawing in her
journal, until a teacher recognizes and helps
resolve the situation in an unexpected way.

This early chapter book is a charming blend of
text and doodles. First in a series.

“Drawn Together”
“Radiant Child:
The Story of Young Artist
Jean-Michel Basquiat”
By Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
A boring day turns magical when a boy and
his grandfather discover a shared love of
drawing. They might not speak the same
language, but sometimes people don’t need
words to communicate. Elaborate, richly
32 Washington FAMILY MARCH 2021
Written by Kirsty Paxton,
illustrated by Megan Lötter
“My Life in Pictures”
Written and illustrated by Deborah Zemke
Written and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
Once there was a boy who couldn’t stop making
art. Sometimes it was sloppy or weird, but it
was always beautiful and full of life. Lyrical text



BOOK MARKED
and evocative illustrations in this Caldecott graphic novel will appeal to anyone who’s ever
winner recount the struggles and triumphs felt like an outsider.

of a visionary street artist who rocketed to
“Clay Lab for Kids:
mainstream fame long before Banksy.

52 Projects to Make, Model and
“Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Mold with Air-Dry, Polymer, and
Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe” Homemade Clay”
By Deborah Blumenthal,
illustrated by Laura Freeman
Ann Cole did not let anything stand in the way
of her dream; she persevered to become the first
African American woman designer of couture
clothing. Ann was dedicated to creating unique
dresses, prized by movie stars and presidents’
wives. Brilliant illustrations showcase her
stunning fashions in this poetic biography.

“If Picasso Painted a Snowman”
Written by Amy Newbold,
illustrated by Greg Newbold
A cuddly hamster invites young readers to
reimagine what a snowman could look like
in the unique styles of 17 diverse artists,
including Jacob Lawrence, Pablita Velarde
and Sonia Delaunay. Readers are then
encouraged to create their own. Artists’
biographies are included.

MIDDLE GRADE
“Inkling” Written by Kenneth Oppel,
illustrated by Sydney Smith
Written by Cassie Stephens
These labs with photo instructions focus on
the process, not the product, and include
projects such as decorative light-up lightning
bugs, practical clocks and containers, quirky
bobbleheads and marionettes, and more.

Includes suggestions for materials, tools,
techniques and recipes.

YOUNG ADULT
“From Twinkle with Love”
by Sandhya Menon
Indian-American teen Twinkle Mehra wants
to be a filmmaker, but when she finally gets
the chance to make a movie, her happily-
ever-after isn’t quite what she expected. Told
through letters from Mehra to her female
Hollywood director role models, this light
rom-com is sure to entertain.

“Shadowshaper” Written by Daniel José Older
It starts when a dead man’s portrait weeps and
fades. Enlisting the aid of a new friend, Brooklyn
teen Sierra Santiago uses her artistic talent and
Afro-Boricua heritage to challenge the evil forces
stealing the Shadowshapers’ power. This urban
fantasy is a supernatural page-turner. Book 1 of
the Shawdowshaper Cypher series.

Ethan Rylance’s family is unraveling—until
the day an inkblot seeps out of his father’s
sketchbook and into their lives. Inkling feeds
on the words and pictures printed in books
and on Mr. Rylance’s sad memories. But can
this boisterous, unpredictable creature help a “In Waves”
grieving family to heal?
Written and illustrated by AJ Dungo
Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves,
“Nightlights” sometimes gentle, sometimes crashing. An
Written and illustrated by Lorena Alvarez artist recounts the glorious life and shattering
A mysterious new classmate admires loss of the extraordinary girl he loved in this
Sandy’s fantastical dream drawings, but graphic novel that is part memoir, part surfing
events twist when the girl morphs into a history. Be inspired by Kristen’s life, lived to
nightmarish figure. Can Sandy save herself the fullest.

with … math? This slightly spooky graphic
novel with its sumptuous colors will appeal “Steal Like an Artist:
10 Things Nobody Told You
to imaginative readers.

About Being Creative”
“New Kid”
Written by Austin Kleon
Written and illustrated by Jerry Craft
Despite the title, this tiny volume does not
Jordan is the new kid at a school he didn’t even encourage forgery or plagiarism. Rather, it’s
want to attend. He dreamed of perfecting his packed with sage advice on how to honor,
cartoons at art school, but his parents chose study and transform inspiring ideas from
an academically-oriented school where he’s others to create your own style. A useful tool
one of just a few kids of color. This Coretta for creatives of all kinds, including artists,
Scott King- and Newbery Medal-winning writers and performers. T
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