BOOK MARKED
Art Is Powerful
Books Inspire Readers To Unleash
Their Creativity
BY MARANDA L. SCHOPPERT, HEAD OF CHILDREN & TEEN SERVICES
GERMANTOWN BRANCH OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The power of art is undeniable. Through art,
children and teens can express emotions big and
small. They can soar through creation and find
connection through expression. March is Youth Art
Month. Explore the power of art through literature.

PICTURE BOOKS
“Anna at the Art Museum”
by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert,
illustrated by Lil Crump
Going to the art museum with her mom is anything
but exciting. Everything is old, dusty, boring and
full of rules. When Anna gets a behind-the-scenes
look at one special painting, she makes a big
discovery that helps her find the joy in art. This
book is perfect to read with children before a first
visit to an art museum.

“Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community”
by Susan Verde, illustrated by John Parra
In the middle of a neighborhood full of life and love
is a big, ugly wall. One day, a young boy decides to
bring the wall to life, but he’ll need help to get the
job done. This picture book celebrates community
and the power of art in bringing people together.

“Milo Imagines the World”
by Matt de la Peña,
illustrated by Christian Robinson
On a long subway ride with his sister, Milo observes
the people around him and draws pictures of what
he imagines their lives are like. When Milo makes
assumptions about a boy his age, he realizes that
everyone has a story. You can’t really know someone
by looking at them. Any book by this award-winning
author-illustrator duo is sure to inspire.

“My Favorite Color”
written and illustrated by Aaron Becker
How can you choose only one favorite color
when the world around us is home to so many?
36 Washington FAMILY MARCH 2022
Young children will love exploring this visually
stunning approach to color. With cutout squares,
translucent inserts and layering, this board book is
a work of art itself.

“Parker Looks Up: An
Extraordinary Moment”
by Parker and Jessica Curry,
illustrated by Brittany Jackson
When 6-year-old Parker Curry visits the National
Portrait Gallery in Washington, she is captivated
by a portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama. In Amy
Sherald’s painting of the first lady, Parker sees hope
and the promise of a better tomorrow. She sees a
“queen.” Inspired by one candid photograph that
swept the internet, this book is the perfect example
of how art can evoke feeling.

EARLY-ELEMENTARY BOOKS
“Anya’s Secret Society”
written and illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg
Using her left hand, Anya makes beautiful art
but only in secret. In Russia, being left-handed
is frowned upon, and Anya must hide her talent.

While hiding her art, Anya learns about famous
left-handed artists and decides to imagine her own
secret society of lefties. This little book has a big
heart and relates the lesson about being true to
yourself and overcoming societal expectations.

“The Crayon Man: The True Story of the
Invention of Crayola Crayons”
by Natascha Biebow,
illustrated by Steven Salerno
Who doesn’t love opening a new box of crayons?