Today, colors like Purple Mountains’
Majesty, Sunset Orange and Lemon
Yellow are widely known and used, but
this selection wasn’t always the case. In
this fun, illustrated biography, readers
follow inventor Edwin Binney on his
journey to create the much beloved
Crayola crayon.

“We Are Artists: Women Who
Made Their Mark on the World”
by Kari Herbert
Offering stunning illustrations, “We Are
Artists” provides a snapshot into the life
of 15 female artists around the world.

These bite-sized summaries are perfect
for children interested in art and looking
for a little inspiration. Through a blend
of portraits and text, this book is sure to
catch the eye.

MIDDLE-GRADE BOOKS
“Art and How It Works: An
Introduction to Art for Children”
by Ann Kay,
foreword by Tomie dePaola
From cave paintings to graffiti art and
all that lies between, this book will take
readers on a ride through history. With
eye-catching text and simple prompts,
“Art and How It Works” is perfect for
children who are dipping their toes
into the art world and encourages kids
to think about and appreciate the art
around them.

“Doodleville” written and illustrated
by Chad Sell
When Drew’s art literally jumps off
the pages of her sketchbook, it will
take all her art club friends to save
Doodleville. This graphic novel looks
at the therapeutic power of art as an
outlet for dealing with big emotions.

This emotional, action-packed read
originates from the author of “The
Cardboard Kingdom.”
“Many Points of Me”
by Caroline Gertler
Georgia’s father was a famous artist,
known for the asterisms, or the patterns
of stars that filled his paintings. Since
his death, Georgia has lost her way and
is determined to find it again before
she misses her chance to participate
in a prestigious art competition. This
coming-of-age novel blends art history
and self-expression in a way that is part
exploration and part treasure hunt.

“Truly Tyler”
written and illustrated
by Terri Libenson
Tyler has always been a sports guy. When
he starts hanging out with Emmie and
her art friends, his teammates give him
a hard time. When pressured to make
a choice, Tyler must decide between
playing it cool or being true to himself.

Part of the “Emmie & Friends” series,
this graphic novel is perfect for fans of
Raina Telgemeier.

YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
“Blue Period 1”
by Tsubasa Yamaguchi
Everyone knows the expression a
“starving artist,” which is why Yatora
can’t understand why anyone would want
to choose art as a career—that is, until
he is captivated by a single painting that
changes his world forever. This manga
is all about the ups and downs of the art
world from the perspective of a teenager.

“Slay” by Brittney Morris
Seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson isn’t
only one of the few Black kids at her
school. She’s also the secret creator of
the massively popular online role-playing
card game, Slay. When the lines between
virtual and real life blur, Kiera must
fight to save her game, all while keeping
her identity a secret. This book packs
a punch with themes such as gaming,
cyberbullying, inclusivity and activism.

“Starfish” by Akemi Dawn Bowman
With her freedom on the line, Kiko is
crushed when her dream of getting into
the art school, Prism, is denied. Longing
to escape a rocky homelife, Kiko jumps at
the chance to tour art schools on the West
Coast with a childhood friend. Starfish is
a story about identity, overcoming anxiety
and learning to express oneself.

“Vincent and Theo:
The Van Gogh Brothers”
by Deborah Heiligman
Would Vincent van Gogh have achieved
the acclaim he has today without the
support of his younger brother, Theo?
Drawing from 658 letters Vincent wrote
to Theo throughout his life, this book
examines the extraordinary bond between
two brothers. This nonfiction book would
be great for any teen interested in art and
art history. P
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