Summer Reading Club

Vincent is ready to paint his house—but what color should it be? 
 
He starts painting it white, but the spider says it's his house, and he likes red. The caterpillar says it's his house and he likes yellow. The beetle likes purple, and the bird likes blue. 
 
Each color introduces a new variety of vibrant shades, filling Vincent’s palette with too many options.  But, creative genius that he is, Vincent finds a way to make everyone happy!
 
Blending his signature cartoonish style with the textures and color choices of a certain post-impressionist Vincent, Tedd Arnold has created a simple story about friendship and compromise which is also a quiet, charming introduction to one of the most famous painters of history.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler meets Chasing Vermeer in this clever middle grade debut

When Theodora Tenpenny spills a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her late grandfather’s painting, she discovers what seems to be an old Renaissance masterpiece underneath. That’s great news for Theo, who’s struggling to hang onto her family’s two-hundred-year-old townhouse and support her unstable mother on her grandfather’s legacy of $463. There’s just one problem: Theo’s grandfather was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she worries the painting may be stolen.

With the help of some unusual new friends, Theo's search for answers takes her all around Manhattan, and introduces her to a side of the city—and her grandfather—that she never knew. To solve the mystery, she'll have to abandon her hard-won self-reliance and build a community, one serendipitous friendship at a time.

“Uniquely readable, entirely charming, and a pleasure from start to finish. Debuts this good are meant to be discovered.” —SLJ Fuse 8 Blog

“Riveting from start to finish.” —BookPage 

The creators of THE RUNAWAY DINNER and PREVIOUSLY team up to imagine the comical world that comes to life when a lonely pencil starts to draw.

"One day that little pencil made a move, shivered slightly, quivered somewhat . . . and began to draw."

Welcome back Banjo, the boy from THE RUNAWAY DINNER! Once a pencil draws him, there's no telling what will come next — a dog, a cat, a chase (of course), and a paintbrush to color in an ever-expanding group of family and friends. But it's not long before the complaints begin — "This hat looks silly!" "My ears are too big!" — until the poor pencil has no choice but to draw . . . an eraser. Oh no! In the hands of Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman, can anything but havoc and hilarity ensue?

With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark - and follow where it takes us.

Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."

Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw - she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says.

That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.

A brilliant new Eric Carle picture book for the artist in us all

Every child has an artist inside them, and this vibrant picture book from Eric Carle will help let it out. The artist in this book paints the world as he sees it, just like a child. There's a red crocodile, an orange elephant, a purple fox and a polka-dotted donkey. More than anything, there's imagination. Filled with some of the most magnificently colorful animals of Eric Carle's career, this tribute to the creative life celebrates the power of art.

Winner of the Randolph Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Now, award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe's vivid text and bold artwork echoing Basquiat's own introduce young readers to the powerful message that art doesn't always have to be neat or clean--and definitely not inside the lines--to be beautiful.

Featuring redesigned jackets, interiors, and up-to-date vocabulary throughout, DK Readers now have a fresh new look!

Stunning photographs combine with lively illustrations and engaging, age appropriate stories in DK Readers, a multilevel reading program guaranteed to capture children's interests while developing their reading skills and general knowledge. With DK Readers, children will learn to read-and read to learn!

Ring! Ring! Ring! It's the fire alarm! A house is on fire! The fire fighters are on their way!

"Sensitive and thoughtful--a story about loss, friendship, and the beauty of self-discovery."--Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me

When Georgia finds a secret sketch her late father--a famed artist--left behind, the discovery leads her down a path that may reshape everything holding her family and friends together. Caroline Gertler's debut is a story about friendship, family, grief, and creativity. Fans of Rebecca Stead's Goodbye Stranger, Dan Gemeinhart's The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, and E. L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will find a new friend in Georgia.

Georgia Rosenbloom's father was a famous artist. His most well-known paintings were a series of asterisms--patterns of stars--that he created. One represented a bird, one himself, and one Georgia's mother. There was supposed to be a fourth asterism, but Georgia's father died before he could paint it. Georgia's mother and her best friend, Theo, are certain that the last asterism would've been of Georgia, but Georgia isn't so sure. She isn't sure about anything anymore--including whether Theo is still her best friend.

Then Georgia finds a sketch her father made of her. One with pencil points marked on the back--just like those in the asterism paintings. Could this finally be the proof that the last painting would have been of her?

Georgia's quest to prove her theory takes her around her Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City and to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was almost a second home to Georgia, having visited favorite artists and paintings there constantly with her father. But the sketch leads right back to where she's always belonged--with the people who love her no matter what.

For fans of Olivia and Eloise, this stunning debut from Kelly Light is an irresistible story about the importance of creativity in all its forms.

Meet Louise. Louise loves art more than anything. It's her imagination on the outside. She is determined to create a masterpiece—her pièce de résistance!

Louise also loves Art, her little brother. This is their story.

Louise Loves Art is a celebration of the brilliant artist who resides in all of us.

Hilarious childhood biographies and full-color illustrations reveal how Leonardo da Vinci, Beatrix Potter, Keith Haring, and other great artists in history coped with regular-kid problems.

Every great artist started out as a kid. Forget the awards, the sold-out museum exhibitions, and the timeless masterpieces. When the world’s most celebrated artists were growing up, they had regular-kid problems just like you. 
 

• Jackson Pollock’s family moved constantly—he lived in eight different cities before he was sixteen years old.
• Georgia O’Keeffe lived in the shadow of her “perfect” older brother Francis.
• And Jean-Michel Basquiat triumphed over poverty to become one of the world’s most influential artists. 

Kid Artists tells their stories and more with full-color cartoon illustrations on nearly every page. Other subjects include Claude Monet, Jacob Lawrence, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Beatrix Potter, Yoko Ono, Dr. Seuss, Emily Carr, Keith Haring, Charles Schulz, and Louise Nevelson.

Award-winning creators Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts and Christopher Myers's picture bookJake Makes a World follows the creative adventures of the young Jacob Lawrence as he finds inspiration in the vibrant colors and characters of his community in Harlem. 

From his mother's apartment, where he is surrounded by brightly colored walls with intricate patterns; to the streets full of familiar and not-so-familiar faces, sounds, rhythms, and smells; to the art studio where he goes each day after school to transform his everyday world on an epic scale, Jake takes readers on an enchanting journey through the bustling sights and sounds of his neighborhood.

Includes a reproduction of an actual Migration series panel

"Rhodes-Pitts has written a clear, simple tale, told in present tense and filled with colorful imagery. Myers's art has a looser, sketchier quality than Lawrence's more graceful figures, but both artists demonstrate a passion for vibrant, eye-popping colors that powerfully capture the African American experience." --School Library Journal (Starred Review)

Pick up the latest tale in the classic Harold and the Purple Crayon series and follow Harold as he hunts for treasure! This new story based on Crockett Johnson's beloved character encourages readers to pick up their crayons and use their imagination to go wherever they'd like.

A moonlit walk on the beach makes Harold yearn for adventure on the high seas! With his trusty purple crayon in hand, the curious Harold finds a ship and sails off to meet a pirate captain, a mermaid, and sea creatures (some friendly and some frightening), in hopes of finding treasure!

Ever since the publication of Harold and the Purple Crayon in 1955, Crockett Johnson's crayon-wielding hero has had a devoted following. This exciting new story featuring the classic character, with its clever and inventive twists, will delight fans old and new.

Part of the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the incredible life of Georgia O'Keeffe, one of America's greatest artists, in this true story of a talented painter who broke boundaries.

As a child, little Georgia viewed the world differently from other people. She roamed outdoors with her sketch book, while other girls played. As an adult, she painted all day. From New York City to New Mexico, she was influenced by the landscapes of her environment. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the artist's life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games, and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

After a class field trip to the art museum, fourth-graders Finley, Henry, and Olivia are assigned a project that is supposed to define art, which is difficult, because they all liked very different paintings--but for their group project they come up with a presentation that captures their combined vision.

Nancy's class is going on a trip to the museum. Even after a bumpy bus ride, Nancy finds a way to make the day extra-fancy!

Emily wants to be an artist. She likes painting and loves the way artists like Pablo Picasso mixed things up.

Emily's life is a little mixed up right now. Her dad doesn't live at home anymore, and it feels like everything around her is changing. 

"When Picasso was sad for a while," says Emily, "he only painted in blue. And now I am in my blue period."

It might last quite some time.

A Neal Porter Book

Discover the life and legacy of celebrated Mexican artist Diego Rivera in this picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh.

A Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Winner!

STARRED REVIEW *"The author makes art both aspiration and action. . . . This book will thrill budding artists." ―Kirkus Reviews

"Young artists will find inspiration for their own creations." ―Booklist

Diego, one of the most famous painters of the 20th century, was once just a mischievous little boy who loved to draw. But this little boy would grow up to follow his passion and greatly influence the world of art. After studying in Spain and France as a young man, Diego was excited to return to his home country of Mexico.

There, he toured from the coasts to the plains to the mountains. He met the peoples of different regions and explored the cultures, architecture, and history of those who had lived before. Returning to Mexico City, he painted great murals representing all that he had seen. He provided the Mexican people with a visual history of who they were and, most importantly, who they are.

Tonatiuh, who has also been inspired by the art and culture of his native Mexico, asks, if Diego was still painting today, what history would he tell through his artwork? What stories would he bring to life?

Drawing inspiration from Rivera to create his own original work, Tonatiuh helps young readers understand the importance of Diego Rivera's artwork and to realize that they too can tell stories through art.

An inspiring portrait of one of the world's most loved artists

There was once a boy named Henri, whose dreams were full of color even though his hometown was dreary and gray. His parents expected him to learn a trade when he grew up, but being a law clerk bored him, and he continued to dream of a colorful, exciting life, and of being noticed. Then Henri started painting . . . and kept painting and dreaming and working at his craft until he'd become one of the most admired and famous artists in the world.

This lyrical, visually rich picture book is more than an excellent biography; at its core, this remarkable book is an encouragement to never give up on your dreams.

Young readers will learn how Claude Monet came to paint trains as well as how he forever changed the minds of critics about his art and about the Impressionists in general. When his nine-year-old son raves over trains passing by in the countryside, Monet wishes his own art could excite critics as much as trains captivate his son. The book explains his painting technique, how critics viewed him and the other Impressionists, and how he came to paint trains.

Jos. A. Smith's beautiful illustrations are paired with P. I. Maltbie's comprehensive text to create an inspiring tale of Monet. The book also includes an author's note, reproductions of some of Monet's paintings, a time line, a list of North American museums that house Monet's paintings, a bibliography, and an index.

"A handsome and child-friendly introduction to the Impressionist master. The narrative works well, and much information is thoughtfully, accessibly presented." -Kirkus Reviews

"Smith expertly illuminates the changing landscape of an evolving world, as Maltbie's thoughtful story of inspiration and imagination highlights a less remembered portion of Monet's work." -Publishers Weekly

Welcome to the greatest gallery on Earth. 

Put yourself in the picture with this incredible visual guide displaying the best artistic works of all time. You’re the very special guest with unlimited access to the world’s most important art through the ages, from ancient cave paintings to modern-day street art. 



On your journey through time, you’ll see a wealth of valuable art, including Egyptian tomb paintings, Roman frescoes, Byzantine mosaics, and Chinese porcelain. Special attention is given to art from different eras, such as Aboriginal Dreamtime, Renaissance period, impressionism, contemporary art, and much, much more. 

Watch the progression of artistic styles and techniques, such as oil painting, watercolor, pastels, and sculpture. Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol are just some of the big names from the past and present featured inside. Every talent’s work is showcased through a signature piece supported by illuminating text, giving you a unique tour of each prestigious work of art.



Budding artists, this is all the inspiration you need to make your own masterpiece.

This bewitching first novel is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery, disguised as an adventure, and delivered as a work of art.

When a book of unexplainable occurences brings Petra and Calder together, strange things start to happen: Seemingly unrelated events connect; an eccentric old woman seeks their company; an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one is spared from suspicion. As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has stumped even the FBI?

A rhyming tribute to a budding young artist.

These fairies are crafty!

Rainspell Island is hosting an Arts and Crafts Week. Rachel and Kirsty can't wait to try all the different creative activities! But Jack Frost has other plans. He likes making chaos more than making art.

Annabelle the Drawing Fairy's pencil sharpener is missing--without it, drawings will be ruined. Kirsty and Rachel are determined to find it as soon as possible!

Find the special fairy object in each book and help save the arts and crafts magic!

 

At the museum, Amelia Bedelia encounters a man named Art, abstract art, a boy named Drew, and a painting thief.

It's enough to make the literal-minded housekeeper's head spin.

Will her entire visit be a bust?