Art & Craft Books

Check your local library for books full of artworks, art history, craft projects, how-to techniques, and inspiration. In the Dewey Decimal System, books about all types of arts and creative activities are in the 700s. Look for call numbers 741 (drawing), 745 and 746 (crafts), and 751 (painting). Your library may have books appropriate for children's and family art activities in either the children's or the adult section. Ask your librarian! Here are some suggestions:

These books provide art activities, ideas for family art time, and tips for thinking about art for children as a learning experience. You’ll be sure to find plenty of art your child can do with materials you may have around the house already!

The Artful Parent - Jean Van't Hul

The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family's Life with Art and Creativity

Bring out your children's creativity and imagination with more than 60 kids' art activities.

Big Book of Kids’ Crafts - Better Homes and Gardens

Big Book of Kids’ Crafts

Hundreds of super-fun ideas to keep little hands busy day after day. Includes inspiring, creative projects for kids of all ages and skill levels.

C.R.A.F.T.: Creating Really Awesome Free Things - Jamie Dorobek

C.R.A.F.T: Creating Really Awesome Free Things

An introduction to great art that uses well-known works of art to illustrate familiar words.

Creative Crafts for Kids - Gill Dickenson and Owen Cheryl

Creative Crafts for Kids

Creating Really Awesome Free Things helps you develop your child's creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills--all while using common household items. Each budget-friendly project features step-by-step instructions and keeps kids entertained, engaged, and learning all day long.

Easy Origami - Mary Meinking

Easy Origami

A collection of easy origami models, such as a drinking cup and a spinning top, that even beginning papercrafters can follow with successful results.

First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos - MaryAnn F. Kohl, Renee F. Ramsey, Dana Bowman, and Katheryn Davis

First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos

Children can discover their world as they explore these 75 fun-filled art adventures.

Homemade Fun: 101 Crafts and Activities to Do with Kids - Rae Grant

Crafting Fun: 101 Things to Make and Do with Kids

In our hurried times, Homemade Fun introduces kids to classic childhood crafts that many of us remember fondly.

The Kids’ Multicultural Art Book: Art & Craft Experiences from Around the World - Alexandra Michaels

The Kids’ Multicultural Art Book: Art & Craft Experiences from Around the World

Children can explore roots, rhythms, and traditions from all corners of the earth while crafting their own art and artifacts.

Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids - editors of Martha Stewart Living

Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids

175 craft projects that children, aged three to twelve, can make with their parents. These projects are fun, yet serve a practical purpose; children can wear, decorate, and play with what they make. Filled with ideas for a range of ages, skill levels, and interests, this book lets children's creativity run wild, while creating precious memories as parents and kids learn and create as a team.

Preschool Art: It’s the Process Not the Product! - Mary Ann Kohl

Preschool Art: It’s the Process Not the Product

Over 200 activities teach children to explore and understand their world through open-ended art experiences that emphasize the process of art, not the product.

Anna's Art Adventure - Bjorn Sortland

Anna's Art Adventure

On her search for the art museum's bathroom, Anna meets famous artists, becomes part of some of their paintings, and makes her own art.

Art - Patrick McDonnell

Art

"Art" introduces children to the imaginative world of art and the endless opportunities it holds.

The Art Lesson - Tomie De Paola

The Art Lesson

Little Tommy wants to be an artist when he grows up, so he is thrilled to learn that he'll have art lessons each week in first grade.

Begin at the Beginning: A Little Artist Learns About Life - Amy Schwartz

Begin at the Beginning: A Little Artist Learns About Life

Sara gets stuck when she must paint a picture for the second grade art show, until she discovers the best place to begin.

The Dot - Peter Reynolds

The Dot

From the illustrator of the Judy Moody series comes a simple, witty story that entices even the stubbornly uncreative to make a mark and follow it on a journey of surprise and self-discovery.

Josefina - Jeanette Winter

Josefina

Count along in English and Spanish with a Mexican folk artist as she sculpts her world from clay: one sun, two angels, three houses . . . ten stars to twinkle bright in the sky.

Little Blue and Little Yellow - Leo Lionni

Little Blue and Little Yellow

Little blue and little yellow share wonderful adventures. One day, they can't find one another. When they finally meet, they are overjoyed.

Ready to Dream - Donna Jo Napoli

Ready to Dream

Ally and her mother are visiting Australia for the summer, and she can't wait to start drawing all the new animals that she'll see.