Art and Creativity

Books are a wonderful way to introduce children toart and creative exploration. They can encourage readers to see their own potential and break down barriers to creativity by demonstrating that everyone is an artist, no matter their experience level.

Many stories also highlight the power of expression and its positive effect on emotional wellbeing – something which is especially important for children who find it hard to discuss their feelings.

Whether learning about art’s rich history, discovering practical techniques or being inspired by a good story, there is something here for all budding young artists! We have included bright, alluring books for younger readers as well as richer, more detailed titles for the older primary age range.

The Artist

Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 5+

A young dinosaur artist (looking a bit like a T-rex but a cute one) sees the dinosaur world as full of joy and beauty, something that some dinosaurs are too busy to notice. She sees all that, draws and paints it and makes it into her art.

Mae deinosor ifanc sy'n artist yn gweld y byd fel lle llawn llawenydd a harddwch – rhywbeth y mae rhai deinosoriai…
Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World

Author: Rachel Ignotofsky
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+

An appealing, meaningful and well-researched book, perfectly pitched for older primary aged children. It’s impossible not to be inspired by the work of these women artists, and hopefully learning about their contributions will ensure a new generation of artists.
A River

Author: Marc Martin
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 5+

A lovely, poetic story following a girl's imaginary journey from the city to the sea, complete with immersive illustrations.
The Boy and the Octopus

Author: Caryl Lewis Illustrator: Carmen Saldaña
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 4-5

Can Stanley’s octopus help Stanley face his fears? A moving and visually stunning book about expressing your emotions through art – with a lovely father-son relationship at its heart.
Colour Gallery

Author: Isabel Otter Illustrator: Sophie Ledesma
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5

Join Gigi the giraffe and her students as they explore a gallery, learning about colour and art.
The Concrete Garden

Author: Bob Graham
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+

Children join in to draw a beautiful garden with chalk. A gorgeous picture book celebrating community and the positive effect art has on everyone.
Aaron Slater, Illustrator

Author: Andrea Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Interest age: 4-8

Aaron loves to listen to stories. He cannot wait to create his own tales, but first, he must learn to read. However, Aaron finds it hard to make sense of the squiggles on the page. This wonderfully creative tale celebrates self-expression and demonstrates there is more than one way to tell a story.
The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs

Author: Fiona Robinson
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Fiona Robinson’s beautifully blue book about the life of 19th-century born Anna Atkins is an inspiring testament to a father’s commitment to his daughter’s education, and to her passion for the natural world. Young nature lovers will be inspired by Anna’s story.
Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown

Author: Olaf Falafel
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Art-enthusiast Trixie Pickle has a secret superhero identity: as the Art Avenger, she embarks on top secret, art-inspired missions to tackle injustice and challenge bullies. Bursting with zany characters, comic strip illustrations and fact files on real artists, this hilarious tale is hugely entertaining.
Framed

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+

The story centres on Dylan Hughes, the only boy left in a small Welsh mountain town called Manod. This is an immensely entertaining book, about the power of art to bring about change and to redeem.
Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City

Author: Rob Biddulph
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

A magical pencil takes art-mad Peanut and her friends on a quest beyond her wildest imagination in the search for her lost father.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Life of Invention

Author: Jake Williams
Publisher: Pavilion
Interest age: 8-10
Reading age: 8+

Jake Williams’ brilliant overview of the famous polymath’s work, including his legacy today, is presented with beautiful graphic illustration that really draws the reader in and is sure to inspire many young inventors, artists and musicians.
How Was That Built?

Author: Roma Agrawal Illustrator: Katie Hickey
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 8-11
Reading age: 8+

Illustrated in fascinating detail by Katie Hickey, this is a truly brilliant book for any child interested in skyscrapers, big bridges and sports stadiums. There’s a good level of how-to information here as well as a handy glossary.
Also an Octopus

Author: Maggie Tokuda-Hall Illustrator: Benji Davies
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+

This is a lovely story about storytelling which extends the invitation to the reader to continue the tale after the last page has been turned.
The Magic Callaloo

Author: Trish Cooke Illustrator: Sophie Bass
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 6-8

In a wonderful allegorical story highlighting a crucial part of Black history, superstar children’s author Trish Cooke tells a tale inspired by the real stories of enslaved Africans who made patterns in their cornrowed hair, using them as maps to escape their enslavers.
The Guggenheim Mystery

Author: Robin Stevens (based on an idea by Siobhan Dowd)
Publisher: Puffin Books

When Ted Spark's Aunt Gloria is framed for the theft of a painting from the Guggenheim Museum, he must race through the streets of New York to find the real culprit. An exciting and heartwarming tale from Robin Stevens, continuing the legacy of late author Siobhan Dowd.
Little Frida: A Story of Frida Kahlo

Author: Anthony Browne
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+

The masterstroke of this dreamy picture book by the former Children's Laureate is to focus on Frida Kahlo's childhood and see the little girl behind the icon. In turn, many children will relate to its themes of bullying and belonging, imagination and hope.
The School of Art

Author: Teal Triggs Illustrator: Daniel Frost
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 8-14
Reading age: 8+

With quirky, comical illustrations and a useful glossary, this is an unusual, interesting and informative reference book for any budding artist.
Mi Wnei Di Lwyddo, Tyrone! / You Can Do Anything, Tyrone!

Author: Lenny Henry adapted by Anwen Pierce Illustrator: Salomey Doku
Publisher: Rily Publications
Interest age: 5-7
Reading age: 7+

Follow Tyrone as he endeavours to build a rocket ship to take him to the moon in this fun book from Lenny Henry that encourages imagination and determination.
Terrible Horses

Author: Raymond Antrobus Illustrator: Ken Wilson Max
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 6+

A young boy looks up to his older sister but feels lonely when they argue. He shares his feelings through pictures, and they grow closer.
The Drum

Author: Ken Wilson-Max Illustrator: Catell Ronca
Publisher: Tiny Owl
Interest age: 0-3

This little but lively book is part of Tiny Owl’s "Children. Music. Life" series, which focuses on musical instruments from around the world, created by award-winning picture book author and artist Ken Wilson-Max. In this book, we meet the drum.