CurriConnects Book List - The Artist's Eye
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The Artist's Eye
Feast your eyes on Caldecott winners and books with unusual or beautiful layout or illustrations. The list also includes books about art or artists. This is a wonderful way to include Art in your reading.
Preschool and Picture Books
Harold and the Purple Crayon - Crockett Johnson, (978-0064430227), Non-fiction
Interest level: K-3, Lexile: 490
Ish - Peter Reynolds, (978-0763623449), Non-fiction
Interest level: K-2, Lexile: 440
Early Elementary Books
Emma's Rug - Allen Say, (978-0395742945), Non-fiction
Interest level: 1-3, Lexile: 450
A young girl who is a creative artist loses her source of inspiration, a well-loved rug.
Frida - Jonah Winter, (978-0590203203), Fiction
Interest level: 2-4, Lexile: 280
Both the text and the illustrations of this book show how Frida Kahlo's art expressed her life in Mexico with all its trials, pain, and healing.
Ish - Peter Reynolds, (978-0763623449), Non-fiction
Interest level: K-2, Lexile: 440
Metal Man - Aaron Reynolds, (978-1580891509), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-4, Lexile: 470
A small boy learns to trust his own point of view when he observes a metal sculptor who creates from his own perspective, making art from junk.
Morris the Artist - Lore Segal, (978-0374350635), Non-fiction
Interest level: 1-4, Lexile: 470
Morris plans to give some beautiful paints for a birthday present, but he finds he wants to keep the paints and try his own skills as an artist.
Painted Dreams - Karen Lynn Williams, (978-0688139018), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-4, Lexile: 560
Young Ti Marie creates "paintings" through song rather than with paints since she, as a poor Haitian girl, cannot afford to buy art supplies.
Painting the Wind - Patricia MacLachlan, (978-0060297985), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-4, Lexile: 610
Pop's Bridge - Eve Bunting, (978-0152047733), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-5, Lexile: 630
A small boy sees his father's work on visualizing and constructing the Golden Gate Bridge as more important than some of the other workers until an accident threatens to halt construction.
Right Outside My Window - Mary Ann Hoberman, (978-1590341810), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-4, Lexile: 640
A young girl observes the shapes and changes of nature as the seasons come and go from her home window.
The Color of Home - Mary Hoffman, (978-0803728417), Non-fiction
Interest level: 1-4, Lexile: 540
Hassan finds that in painting scenes from his home country, he is able to bring back his beloved places and also express his feelings about the war in Somalia when he shows the art to his classmates.
The Fantastic Drawings of Danielle - Barbara McClintock, (978-0618432301), Non-fiction
Interest level: 1-3, Lexile: 170
A young girl accompanies her father on his photographic expeditions in the city of Paris, drawing as she goes; she finds drawing a good way to support herself after he becomes ill in this book about Paris at the turn of the century.
Through Georgia's Eyes - Rachel Rodriguez, (978-0805077407), Fiction
Interest level: 2-3, Lexile: 450
The influence of setting in Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings, her childhood in WI, her years in NY City, and her later life in New Mexico, shows up here in the marvelous illustrations and simple but powerful text.
Uh-oh, Leonardo!: The Adventures of Providence Traveler - Robert Sabuda, (978-0689811609), Non-fiction
Interest level: 4-6, Lexile: 690
What's Up, What's Down? - Lola Schaefer, (978-0060297572), Fiction
Interest level: 1-3, Lexile: 430
Children learn about perspective by turning this book in different directions to see that "up" and "down" are relative concepts, depending on their context.
Upper Elementary to Middle School Books
An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers - Natasha Wing, (978-0805080728), Fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 680
This book describes German-born Josef Albers' life and work, especially he came to the U.S. Southwest to paint; his work reflects his settings in geometric forms and simplicity.
Elements Of Pop Up: A Pop Up Book For Aspiring Paper Engineers - James Diaz David Carter, (978-0689822247), Fiction
Interest level: 8-12, Lexile: 940
Four Pictures by Emily Carr - Nicolas Debon, (978-0888995322), Fiction
Interest level: 4-8, Lexile: 770
In graphic novel style, the life and artistic development of Canadian artist Emily Carr reveals herself through viewing four paintings that represent her four distinct developmental periods.
Georgia Rises: A Day in the Life of Georgia O'Keefe - Kathryn Lasky, (978-0374325299), Non-fiction
Interest level: 4-7, Lexile: 870
Linnea in Monet's Garden - Cristina Bjork, (978-9129583144), Fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 710
Paper Lanterns - Stefan Czernecki, (978-1570914102), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 720
A master craftsman struggles to find someone motivated and talented enough to take over his role as chief lantern maker for the community.
Randall's Wall - Carol Fenner, (978-0689505188), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 730
A friend helps a young artist to open up.
Rockwell: A Boy and his Dog - Loren Spiotta-DiMare, (978-0764157905), Non-fiction
Interest level: 4-9, Lexile: 710
This fictionalized account tells the story of Rockwell's boy assistant, Scottie Ingram, who searches for the right dog to model for a Rockwell series on the seasons.
Sandy's Circus: A Story about Alexander Calder - Tanya Lee Stone, (978-0670062683), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 750
Alexander Calder continues creating with wire to create the first mobile ever, a mobile of a circus.
The Collector of Moments - Quint Buchholz, (978-0374315207), Non-fiction
Interest level: 6-9, Lexile: 800
A young boy's neighbor who is an artist leaves behind a gallery of superb art when he goes away; the boy feels special about the display when he discovers it.
The Illustrator's Notebook - Mohieddine Ellabbad, (978-0888997005 ), Fiction
Interest level: 7-10, Lexile: 990
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush - Tomie dePaola, (978-0399215346), Non-fiction
Interest level: 4-8, Lexile: 840
Tomie De Paola recreates a folk legend about a young aspiring artist who paints in order to reproduce the glories of the colors of the natural world.
The Second Mrs. Giaconda - E.L. Konigsburg, (978-0689821219), Non-fiction
Interest level: 5-9, Lexile: 840
This story of DaVinci's painting of the Mona Lisa, told from the point of view of his disreputable but indispensable servant/apprentice, reveals inspiration, time, place, and characters behind the famous work.
Uncle Andy's - James Warhola, (978-0399238697), Fiction
Interest level: 2-6, Lexile: 640
Warhol's nephew visits him just before his works became famous; he observes his uncle's unusual belongings, the disorder of his house, and hears the artist's views on what makes art.
Yesterday I Had the Blues - Jeron Ashford Frame, (978-1582460840), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 630
A very young boy views his days as colors as well as the emotions that he and his family experience.
Middle School to Young Adult Books
Bird - Zetta Elliott, (978-1600602412), Non-fiction
Interest level: 5-8, Lexile: 720
A young African American boy expresses the difficulties of his life in his drawings which help him cope with family sadness and drug abuse.
Changing Woman and her Sisters - Katrin Tchana, (978-0823419999), Non-fiction
Interest level: 6-9, Lexile: 890
This collection of multi-cultural tales include information on the goddesses, their cultures, and their portrayals in the images in the book.
Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey around the World - Maya Ajmera, (978-1570914782), Fiction
Interest level: 5-12, Lexile: 960
Renowned children's artist Maya Ajmera presents a photo essay of the wonderful faces of children around the world with accompanying text which describes their method of living.
Georgia's Bones - Jen Bryant, (978-0802852175), Non-fiction
Interest level: 7-12, Lexile: 1020
This fictionalized account of some of Georgia O'Keeffe's life focuses on her early observations of shapes and the nature around her as the basis for her original art.
Here's Looking at Me: How Artists See Themselves - Bob Raczka, (978-0761334040), Fiction
Interest level: 7-12, Lexile: 940
This book describes the work of 14 major artists and shows their views of themselves through their self-portraits.
Leonardo da Vinci for Kids - Janis Herbert, (978-1556522987), Fiction
Interest level: 5-9, Lexile: 920
Children learn about the life of Leonardo da Vinci as they make their way through fascinating activities suggested in this book about his life, work, and interests.
Little Sap and Monsieur Rodin - Michelle Lord, (978-1584302483), Non-fiction
Interest level: 4-12, Lexile: 860
A young Cambodian girl achieves her dream by being admitted to a prestigious Cambodian dance group in the early 1900's and also by being noticed by famed sculptor/artist Rodin who gives her a special award.
Look! Zoom in on Art! - Gillian Wolfe, (978-1845077969), Fiction
Interest level: 6-9, Lexile: 920
Looking at art from different points of view reveals more meaning and depth in the creation.
Norman Rockwell: Storyteller with a Brush - Beverly Gherman, (978-0689820014), Fiction
Interest level: 8-12, Lexile: 980
Norman Rockwell's unique painting style, which encompassed historical and modern American scenes and people, reveals itself throughout his rewarding life.
Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin - Susanna Reich, (978-0618714704), Fiction
Interest level: 8-12, Lexile: 1110
This biography of one of America's most accomplished painters offers information, prints, photos and stories about George Catlin, his art and travels.
The Monument - Gary Paulsen, (978-0440407829), Non-fiction
Interest level: 5-9, Lexile: 950
A scruffy artist's new residence in a small Kansas town eventually changes a teen's image of herself as disabled along with changing the town's narrow point of view about someone who looks different.
The Pot that Juan Built - Nancy Andrews-Goebel, (978-1584300380), Fiction
Interest level: 6-10, Lexile: 1000
This book whose rhyme mimics "This is the House that Jack Built" actually tells the story of Mexican potter Juan Quezada in both the poetry and in additional factual information on the reverse side of the page.
Whaam!: The Art & Life of Roy Lichtenstein - Susan Goldman Rubin, (978-0810994928), Fiction
Interest level: 7-12, Lexile: 1030
This biography of Roy Lichtenstein tells the story of his life and his art and its origins with words but also with vivid illustrations of those whose art influenced him greatly including comic book artists and the forerunners of graphic novelists.