Reference Books for Adults:
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Drawing on the Artist Within
The above books are some of the best available for improving your drawing skills. The first focuses on basic draughtsmanship and the second on creativity.
Doing Art Together
My number one resource. This is an absolutely indispensable guide to the philosophy of doing art with children, and contains step-by-step guides to many activities as well.
Art for the Fun of It
Another brilliant book for how and why to stimulate, rather than stifle, creativity. Full of useful hints for materials and techniques as well.
The Kid's Multicultural Art Book
Lots of step-by-step instructions for fun crafts from around the world, categorised geographically.
Arty Stories for Children:
Anholt's Artists series
Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail
Leonardo and the Flying Boy
Camille and the Sunflowers (more in series)
These are wonderful stories about famous artists and their friendships with children. Sensitively written, beautifully illustrated, and reading like stories rather than reference books.
Katie series
Katie Meets the Impressionists
Katie's Picture Show
Katie and the Mona Lisa(more in series)
Katie gets around a bit! In the rest of the series she meets Spanish artists, van Gogh, Seurat and more. Again, these are great books for introducing young children to the work of famous artists in the form of stories.
Linnea in Monet's Garden
This is a longer story telling of little girl's visit to Monet's home and gardens. As well as the strong narrative and lovely illustrations, there are plenty of photos of Monet and his home.
The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau
Fun little story set in the Paris art world. Nothing factual here, but very entertaining.
When Pigasso Met Mootisse
Very witty fictionalised retelling of the friendship between these two artists. The illustrations do a brilliant job of showing the different styles of the artists.
Dan's Angel
Half story, half reference, this book features beautiful reproductions of famous artworks combined with fantastic illustrations by Lauren Child (of "Charlie and Lola" fame) and is a great way of getting children thinking about art and learning how to look at it.
The Dot
Simple story, excellent for reinforcing children's confidence in their artistic skills.
The Shape Game
This book was created after author and illustrator Anthony Browne's residency at the Tate Gallery. Like Dan's Angel, it is a brilliant way to get children thinking about how to view art. And the Shape Game is also a great way to exercise those creative muscles! Many of Anthony Browne's books contain visual references to famous artworks and are well worth a look.
Mouse Paint
Another very simple story which is ideal for learning about basic colour theory.
Almost Famous Daisy
Once again, a strong narrative featuring a child who travels round the world, learning to paint like famous artists. Excellent demonstration of the idea of different artistic styles.
Reference Books for Children and Families
A Complete and Utter History of Art (Without the Boring Bits)
This book is for older readers, pitched at a similar level to the Horrible Histories series but focusing on art history.
What Makes a...? series
What Makes a van Gogh a van Gogh?
What Makes a Leonardo a Leonardo?
What Makes a Rembrandt a Rembrandt?
(and more, including Monet, Degas, Raphael and Bruegel)
This series is a wonderful way for primary aged children to begin learning about different artists and what sets each one's style apart from others. Pitched at just the right level and beautifully illustrated with reproductions and close-up details of famous works.
Off the Wall Museum Guides for Kids
Modern Art
Impressionist Art
American Art
Greek and Roman Art
Egyptian Art
These books are wonderful companions to gallery visits, bringing the art alive and guiding children, in a fun way, towards key points.
First Discovery/Art series
Henri Matisse
Let's Visit the Louvre
Landscapes (more in series)
These books are aimed squarely at the pre-school market, beautifully illustrated, simply written, and featuring cut-out pages, printed transparencies, and other fun stuff. Ideal for a first introduction to artists.
Smart About the Arts series
Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers and Swirly Stars
Claude Monet: Sunshine and Waterlilies
Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself
(more in series)
These books will appeal to younger primary school children. They are written in the form of school reports on various artists and feature lots of fun illustrations, beautiful reproductions, and quirky facts. Easy to read aloud yet still very educational.
Adventures in Art series
The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World of Salvador Dali
Joseph Cornell: Secrets in a Box
Keith Haring: I Wish I Didn't Have to Sleep
(more in series)
Reference books for older primary school children, but again told in the form of stories so very readable, and very beautifully illustrated with reproductions.
Activity Books for Children
The Anti-Colouring Book (many in series)
Children love colouring books, but they can stifle creativity. These well-established books offer the same advantages but encourage the children to think creatively and design their own work from inspiring starting points. Wonderful.
Art Fraud Detective
The Great Art Scandal
These two books are for older primary age children and teach about art by encouraging the child to solve crimes using the clues in the pictures. Fondly remembered and highly recommended by a teenage family member!
Films:
Please note that, unless otherwise stated, these films are not aimed at children. If planning to watch with a child, I advise you screen first to make sure you are happy with the content.
Rivers and Tides
Feature-length documentary about environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy. Offers a fascinating insight into his working process and stunning footage of his sculptures.
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Lust for Life
Fictionalised biographical films about Michelangelo and Vincent van Gogh. Truly gripping, epic stuff.
Frida
Have not yet seen this, but it comes highly recommended by friends, who assure me it is visually stunning.
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Another beautifully shot film, playing fast and loose with the life of Vermeer.
Moulin Rouge
No Nicole Kidman here, this is the Jose Ferrer version. This fictionalised account of the life of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a visual feast.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Drawing on the Artist Within
The above books are some of the best available for improving your drawing skills. The first focuses on basic draughtsmanship and the second on creativity.
Doing Art Together
My number one resource. This is an absolutely indispensable guide to the philosophy of doing art with children, and contains step-by-step guides to many activities as well.
Art for the Fun of It
Another brilliant book for how and why to stimulate, rather than stifle, creativity. Full of useful hints for materials and techniques as well.
The Kid's Multicultural Art Book
Lots of step-by-step instructions for fun crafts from around the world, categorised geographically.
Arty Stories for Children:
Anholt's Artists series
Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail
Leonardo and the Flying Boy
Camille and the Sunflowers (more in series)
These are wonderful stories about famous artists and their friendships with children. Sensitively written, beautifully illustrated, and reading like stories rather than reference books.
Katie series
Katie Meets the Impressionists
Katie's Picture Show
Katie and the Mona Lisa(more in series)
Katie gets around a bit! In the rest of the series she meets Spanish artists, van Gogh, Seurat and more. Again, these are great books for introducing young children to the work of famous artists in the form of stories.
Linnea in Monet's Garden
This is a longer story telling of little girl's visit to Monet's home and gardens. As well as the strong narrative and lovely illustrations, there are plenty of photos of Monet and his home.
The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau
Fun little story set in the Paris art world. Nothing factual here, but very entertaining.
When Pigasso Met Mootisse
Very witty fictionalised retelling of the friendship between these two artists. The illustrations do a brilliant job of showing the different styles of the artists.
Dan's Angel
Half story, half reference, this book features beautiful reproductions of famous artworks combined with fantastic illustrations by Lauren Child (of "Charlie and Lola" fame) and is a great way of getting children thinking about art and learning how to look at it.
The Dot
Simple story, excellent for reinforcing children's confidence in their artistic skills.
The Shape Game
This book was created after author and illustrator Anthony Browne's residency at the Tate Gallery. Like Dan's Angel, it is a brilliant way to get children thinking about how to view art. And the Shape Game is also a great way to exercise those creative muscles! Many of Anthony Browne's books contain visual references to famous artworks and are well worth a look.
Mouse Paint
Another very simple story which is ideal for learning about basic colour theory.
Almost Famous Daisy
Once again, a strong narrative featuring a child who travels round the world, learning to paint like famous artists. Excellent demonstration of the idea of different artistic styles.
Reference Books for Children and Families
A Complete and Utter History of Art (Without the Boring Bits)
This book is for older readers, pitched at a similar level to the Horrible Histories series but focusing on art history.
What Makes a...? series
What Makes a van Gogh a van Gogh?
What Makes a Leonardo a Leonardo?
What Makes a Rembrandt a Rembrandt?
(and more, including Monet, Degas, Raphael and Bruegel)
This series is a wonderful way for primary aged children to begin learning about different artists and what sets each one's style apart from others. Pitched at just the right level and beautifully illustrated with reproductions and close-up details of famous works.
Off the Wall Museum Guides for Kids
Modern Art
Impressionist Art
American Art
Greek and Roman Art
Egyptian Art
These books are wonderful companions to gallery visits, bringing the art alive and guiding children, in a fun way, towards key points.
First Discovery/Art series
Henri Matisse
Let's Visit the Louvre
Landscapes (more in series)
These books are aimed squarely at the pre-school market, beautifully illustrated, simply written, and featuring cut-out pages, printed transparencies, and other fun stuff. Ideal for a first introduction to artists.
Smart About the Arts series
Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers and Swirly Stars
Claude Monet: Sunshine and Waterlilies
Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself
(more in series)
These books will appeal to younger primary school children. They are written in the form of school reports on various artists and feature lots of fun illustrations, beautiful reproductions, and quirky facts. Easy to read aloud yet still very educational.
Adventures in Art series
The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World of Salvador Dali
Joseph Cornell: Secrets in a Box
Keith Haring: I Wish I Didn't Have to Sleep
(more in series)
Reference books for older primary school children, but again told in the form of stories so very readable, and very beautifully illustrated with reproductions.
Activity Books for Children
The Anti-Colouring Book (many in series)
Children love colouring books, but they can stifle creativity. These well-established books offer the same advantages but encourage the children to think creatively and design their own work from inspiring starting points. Wonderful.
Art Fraud Detective
The Great Art Scandal
These two books are for older primary age children and teach about art by encouraging the child to solve crimes using the clues in the pictures. Fondly remembered and highly recommended by a teenage family member!
Films:
Please note that, unless otherwise stated, these films are not aimed at children. If planning to watch with a child, I advise you screen first to make sure you are happy with the content.
Rivers and Tides
Feature-length documentary about environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy. Offers a fascinating insight into his working process and stunning footage of his sculptures.
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Lust for Life
Fictionalised biographical films about Michelangelo and Vincent van Gogh. Truly gripping, epic stuff.
Frida
Have not yet seen this, but it comes highly recommended by friends, who assure me it is visually stunning.
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Another beautifully shot film, playing fast and loose with the life of Vermeer.
Moulin Rouge
No Nicole Kidman here, this is the Jose Ferrer version. This fictionalised account of the life of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a visual feast.