Art Book Lists for Kids

A good picture book is one of my favorite ways to start an art lesson. It introduces an idea, shows a real illustrator at work and gets kids excited to make something of their own. These lists collect the books I recommend for art class, organized by age, with discussion prompts, art activities, drawing prompts and sub plan ideas for every book.

New lists are being added this week: Kindergarten to Grade 2, Grades 3 to 5 and middle school. Check back soon.

Want the books and the lessons to line up all year? My K–8 Art Curriculum Map suggests a picture book for many of its 36 weeks. For lessons you can try right away, join my Free Art Lesson Library, and browse my own drawing and activity books for kids on my Ms Artastic bookshelf.