Can you find it? Great Art Appreciation Books for Kids!

One of the best ways to introduce art history to kids is through books. This Can you find it? book series from the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a perfect way to introduce important works of art to your kiddos.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo Credit: Arad — Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, Photo Credit: Arad

I was first introduced to the series with the Can you hear it? book, which I used in my elementary art classroom. The book includes artworks, looking questions, a cd of music pieces to listen to as you look at the artwork, and questions to help you actively listen to the music. The music connects to the art, and the book instructs you to listen for sounds from the paintings like bubbling water, buzzing bees, or swimming fish. This is such a great idea; I wish I would have come up with it myself!

The rest of the Can you find it? books are filled with beautiful and intriguing works of art with “I Spy”-esque questions to make it easy for you to facilitate the learning. These are great for your elementary age students. Please note, this post includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What art books do you and your kids love?

Testimonials

I like how this program, unlike other art class resource membership programs, feels authentic. It's like art matters more here, and not fancy flash-in-the-pan trendiness. The goal of Art Class Curator seemed to be helping kids develop a lifelong love and art appreciation versus "Hey, look. I painted this fish."

Erin A.

Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art Class Curator is awesome!

Denise W.

Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and come away with some profound thoughts!

Melissa G.

I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!

Caroline G.

I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts, but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface with your site.

Maryjane F.

3 Comments

Shari

January 5, 2019 at 8:30 pm

Are you familiar with any books about looking at abstract art with young children? I’m researching for an idea for a book for little ones about line, shape, color using abstract paintings. I haven’t seen anything quite like what I have in mind. I love you website and will be referring to it in an article I’m writing for a local parenting quarterly about art and young children.

Reply to this comment
- Madalyn Gregory
  
  January 7, 2019 at 9:06 am
  
  Hi, Shari! My own research has uncovered books covering specific artists, like ‘Henri’s Scissors’, and ‘The Noisy Paintbox’. There’s also Joyce Raimondo’s art book series which has a couple of books about abstract art. Hope that helps!
  
  Reply to this comment
- Josefina Gonzalez
  
  January 6, 2020 at 2:35 pm
  
  … may I suggest Bruno Munari, might be between art and design but his books are fantastic to explain colors and geometry in a very beautiful way.
  
  Reply to this comment

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