Book-Inspired Art Projects For Kids

Book-Inspired

Art Project For Kids


Several years ago I taught an art class for kids in grades 1-2 through our school's SUN program. Each week I would read the kids a picture book and have them respond to it through various forms of art.

Below are some of the books I used, as well as my objectives for each week's lesson.


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Ish

by Peter H. Reynolds 

2004



Synopsis: A young artist is frustrated by his artistic talent and trying to get things "perfect." His sister helps him see that there's more than one way to appreciate art.

Overall Objectives: 

1. Remind kids that art can be appreciated and interpreted in different ways by different people. There is no "right" or "wrong."

2. Guide kids in how to respond to their peers' art and how to accept others' responses to their own art. Encourage them to be open to others' interpretations, perhaps by using the language of "ish."

Art  Objective: Create a piece of art based on an emotion or concept: "Peace," "Love," "Courage," "Friendship," "Laughter," etc. Brainstorm emotions and concepts with the students and write the suggestions on a whiteboard or shared space. Allow the students to pick the concept they want to depict in their project(s). They do not necessarily have to tell you what they chose. If possible, allow the students to view each others' art and respond to them with "ish" statements.

(Note: Peter H. Reynolds has written many art-concept-related books, and it might be worth checking out some of his others to use in similar projects.)

Materials Needed

*Paper

*Drawing materials (crayons/markers/watercolors, etc.)

Optional: Scrap paper/scissors/glue

* * * * * * *

Examples...


"Happyish," by Nissa


"Mixish," by Talee


"Flowerish," by Nissa

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My Blue Is Happy

by Jessica Young

Illustrated by Catia Chien

2013




Overall objective: Teach kids that people have different responses when it comes to certain colors. Lead a discussion about how/what your students feel when they see red, green, blue, etc. Brainstorm emotions with the kids and write them on a whiteboard or shared space.

Art objective: Create an art piece responding to the mood/feeling of a particular color. Allow the student to attach the emotion of their choice to their color, whether it be a positive, negative, or neutral emotion. Allow students who finish a piece to do a second or third piece using a new color.

Materials Needed

*Paper

*Drawing materials (crayons/markers/watercolors, etc.)

*Black felt pen to write the text "My [color] is..." somewhere on the piece.

Optional: Scrap paper/scissors/glue


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Examples...




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Pezzettino

by Leo Lionni

1975


Video readaloud ink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhWn-AwjpYA

Synopsis: Little Pezzettino is so small he is convinced he must be a piece of somebody else. The wise-one helps him discover the truth.

Overall objective #1: Remind kids that art doesn't have to be made with only pens, paint, crayons, etc.

-or-

Overall objective #2: Show kids that art can, like many things, be made up of small things that contribute to a greater whole.

Art objective: Make a picture collage using geometric shapes.

Materials Needed

*White construction paper

*Scrap paper, or pre-cut squares about 1.5 inches wide

*Scissors

*Glue

Optional: Markers/crayons/etc.


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Examples...



by Madison



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Harold and the Purple Crayon 

by Crockett Johnson 

1955


AND/OR...


Journey

by Aaron Becker

2013

(Note: no words, but fantastic illustrations)

Overall objective A: Explore how the deliberate use of one particular color (purple, red, etc.) can have a unique impact on an art piece. 

Art objective A: Create an art piece using only one or two colors and using simple lines or shapes.

==OR==

Overall objective B: Focus on the main characters in the two stories. Think about how their imaginations created new worlds, and how their ingenuity got them out of tricky situations.

Art Objective B: Create an art piece that incorporates a new medium... pastels, chalk, glue & string, glue & pasta, stamps, or even digital art.


Materials Needed

*Paper

*Art medium of your choice

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Examples...



by Rai'sean



by Talee


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Oh The Thinks You Can Think!

by Dr. Seuss

1975




Overall objective: Encourage kids to think outside the box and use their imaginations to draw whatever they like, no matter how absurd.

Art objective: Create an art piece based on something in your imagination.

Materials Needed

*Paper

*Markers/crayons/colored pencils/etc.


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Examples...

"Endless Water Slide," by Tucker




by Talee


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Rain Makes Applesauce

by Julian Scheer; Illustrated by Marvin Bileck 

1964



Overall objective: Remind kids that art doesn't have to be serious; it's okay to let their imagination run wild!

Art objective: Create an art piece inspired by 2-3 unrelated word phrases strung together, ie: "Crazy kites dance in the jungle" or "Rainbow sharks swim all night long." You can provide the phrases, let the kids brainstorm their own, OR have the kids draw their phrases randomly out of a hat.

Materials Needed

*Paper

*Markers/crayons/colored pencils/watercolors/etc.

*Black felt pen to write the chosen phrase somewhere on the art.





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Tips:

Some kids will respond enthusiastically to a new weeks' project and others might not. It's okay if a kid doesn't want to do that week's project. Let them draw something from the week before if they'd rather. But to keep them interested, it can be helpful to add new art supply choices to the mix each week.

If teaching a virtual class, for the "Pezzettino" project, plan ahead and ask kids to cut & save their own squares from old magazines, newspapers, junk mail, wrapping paper, old greeting cards, whatever they can get a hold of.

Give kids an opportunity verbally share something about their art on a regular basis.

Take lots of photos!

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by Molly Patton - 2020


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