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  • Banner with colorful artwork promoting an art shop featuring kindness coloring pages, artist activities, and resources for teachers.

Coloring Book Review and Giveaway!

Coloring Book Review and Giveaway!

**This is a cross-post from my personal art blog.  To enter the giveaway for a free copy of this coloring book, please leave a comment on the original post.** Today I am part of a TLC Book Tour for a new coloring book called  Inkspirations Fruit of the Spirit.  There are a few reasons I decided to be a part of this book tour.  1) I wanted to show you how we have enjoyed coloring books.  2) This is a … Read more…

Books for the First Day of Art Class

A collage of art-themed books with the text "Ideal for the first day of art class.

I like to start the first art class of the year with a children’s book about art and something quick and easy to get the kids making art.  Here are some of the books I have used over the years on the first day of school or throughout the year.  I like to read general books about art & creativity on the first day.  I save the books about specific artists or topics for when we study those. Here are … Read more…

Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes Book

Two alphabet books titled "Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes" and "ABC Book" on a white surface.

I want to show you a beautiful book I discovered called Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes: A Very Silly Alphabet Book by Brian P. Clearly. The book was illustrated by Betsy E. Snyder and I think the pictures are fantastic.  The style of the book is reminiscent of Eric Carle’s painted paper collages. Aren’t they beautiful?  On each page of the book are pictures that feature things that start with one letter of the alphabet.  My first grade students created an … Read more…

Sand Art Book by Japanese Artist Naoshi & Giveaway!

A colorful book cover titled "Ice Cream Work" by Japanese Artist Naoshi, featuring a cartoon girl on an ice cream cone vehicle in a field of strawberries.

I have an interesting and quirky book to show to you today.  The book is called Ice Cream Work by Naoshi and the cool thing is that the pictures are made entirely of colored sand!  I was given a copy of this book to review and a copy to giveaway.  To enter the giveaway for a copy of this book, simply leave a comment on this blog post. The book is very Japanese in style and reminds me of other … Read more…

An Interview with Margaret Peot, author of Stencil Craft

Cover of the "Stencil Craft Book" by Margaret Peot, showcasing stenciled art on a flower, leaf, mask, whale, and a grid-patterned box.

Today I have the pleasure of sharing with you an interview with Margaret Peot, author of the new book Stencil Craft. Earlier this week I wrote a book review, with the chance to win copies of this book (there is still time to enter).  You can see that blog post here:  Stencil Craft Book Review and Giveaway. Since I am an elementary art teacher, Margaret is also going to share a fun project to do with little children. 1. What … Read more…

A World of Artist Journal Pages Review

A World of Artist Journal Pages Review

I am excited to share with you the book A World of Artist Journal Pages.  It just arrived in the mail yesterday and it is thick.. just full of inspiring art pages.  And I am super excited because five of my art journal pages have been published in the book! I put together a video flip-through to show you some of the pages of the book.  I have really low voice and my voice is even scratchier with a sore … Read more…

Book Review & Giveaway: A Child’s Introduction to Art

Cover of "A Child's Introduction to Art," showcasing famous artworks and children engaging in artistic activities, accompanied by a detailed book review.

**  This giveaway is now closed. ** I received a copy of a great new art history book to share with you!  The book is A Child’s Introduction to Art: The World’s Greatest Paintings and Sculptures, written by Heather Alexander.  The publishers are also giving away ONE free copy to a lucky winner.  To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on the blog telling one way you introduce art history to your kids.  I will pick one winner on Friday … Read more…

“I Heard You Can Draw!” Book Review

“I Heard You Can Draw!”  Book Review

I was happy to receive a review copy of I Heard You Can Draw: A Story for Class Artists Everywhere, written by M. D. Savran, who is an art teacher and author/illustrator in the Tampa Bay area.  I’m always happy to support other art teachers! The description reads: “Sarah loves to draw. When Mrs. Earl catches her drawing a picture in math class, the entire second grade discovers her talent! Suddenly, everyone asks her to draw pictures for them (strange … Read more…

See a Heart, Share a Heart: 3rd Grade Photography Unit on Hearts

See a Heart, Share a Heart:  3rd Grade Photography Unit on Hearts

I was given a review copy of this new book See a Heart Share a Heart.  The author takes photographs of hearts he comes across in daily life, from a leaf to a sidewalk crack to a moth. After reading this book to my 3rd grade students, we worked as a team to find hearts or create heart artworks indoors and outdoors.  When I say we worked as a team, the kids collaborated and talked about how they could find … Read more…

25 Amazing Books for Teaching about Art

25 Amazing Books for Teaching about Art

Missy left on comment on a previous post: ” LOVE that you’ve included some of your favorite kids books! Any other books you’d recommend to the mom for reference for trying to teach her kids basic art principles?” I use children’s books all the time in the art classroom.  It is a great way to tie in literature and inspire the kids through stories and illustrations. Here is MY list of favorite books for teaching about art.  I highly recommend … Read more…

  • Banner with colorful artwork promoting an art shop featuring kindness coloring pages, artist activities, and resources for teachers.