Whether you’re finishing your holiday shopping or just getting started, make room on your list for a few good books about art. These make a perfect
gift for any age, and are not only entertaining and informative reading, but also feature some of the terrific artwork being done by children’s book
illustrators. Maisy’s Colors A recent trip to the Mazza Museum gift shop on the campus of the University of Findlay gave me the opportunity
to look at a number of excellent books. The youngest on your list will enjoy Maisy’s Colors (Cousins,1997), a bright board book about a clever little mouse, or Mouse Paint (Walsh, 1989) about three white mice who discover the joys of mixing secondary colors. Another wonderful choice for little ones is Color Zoo (Ehlert, 1989) which is a Caldecott Honor book featuring cut-out pages and bold colors. In I Spy Colors in Art (Micklehwait ,2007), readers ages 3-8 look at different works of art while focusing on color identification and recognition.
For beginners
Beginning readers can use their developing reading skills while they enjoy Purplicious (Kann & Kann, 2007), the story of a young artist who knows
her own mind, or Amelia Bedelia’s Masterpiece (Parish, 2007), a tale of Amelia’s trip to the museum. Other books this age group will enjoy reading
themselves or hearing you read to them include The Art Lesson (dePaola, 1989), Drawing Lessons from a Bear (McPhail, 2000), I Ain’t Gonna Paint
No More (Beaumont, 2005), and Wanda Gag – The Girl Who Lived to Draw (Ray, 2008).
Learning for all ages
Older children from about third grade can read and learn about artists in Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes and What the Neighbors Thought (Krull, 1995), which is cleverly written, as the title promises, and well illustrated. Diane Stanley offers two books, Michaelangelo (2000) and Leonardo
daVinci (1996) that detail the lives of these well-known artists. A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet (Johnson, 2008) is unique, as abstract art is seldom explored in such an appealing way, enhanced by wonderful word play. The Fingerprint Drawing Book (Emberly, 2000) is lots of fun, and one of a series of
how-to-draw books by the author. Other step-by-step drawing guides for anything from trucks to animals to cartoon characters are available where art
supplies are sold.
Stories that inspire
A visit to the Mazza gift shop, the Toledo Museum of Art gift shop, or a nearby bookstore will give you a chance to see for yourself the wealth
of outstanding books availabl
e this holiday season. I confess, I can’t resist the beautiful illustrations and wonderful storytelling that children’s
books provide. Sometimes I buy a book intending to give it to one of my grandchildren, but can’t bear to part with it. The gift of a book about art
will give you and your child a chance to sit down together and enjoy a quiet time reading about and looking at art. The stories will inspire young artists
to follow their love of art and give them insight about the principles and practice of art. Long after the batteries have worn out and the electronic
toys have lost their appeal, a good book will provide your child with hours of enjoyment, now and in the years to come.
Sharon Hammer Baker currently teaches art for children and adults in her studio in the Jones Building in Findlay. She has taught art from kindergarten
to college, and is an active studio artist working in mixed media and fibers, exhibiting regularly in invitational, group and solo shows, and has artworks in academic, corporate and private collections. She is also a poet, gardener, naturalist, and grandmother. She can be reached at bakerartstudio@gmail.com
Cultured kids last a lifetime Basic art supplies make great gifts for kids of all ages. These will enhance and encourage creative growth and development, and still be in use long after the toys are broken or forgotten.
Paper. Get a selection of drawing, painting and construction papers. 
Crayons. Everyone loves a new set of crayons. Remember that jumbo crayons are best for the littlest hands, while older kids want the sets with greater color selection.
sketchbook. A big spiral sketchbook will hold lots of paintings and drawings, and if you want to display one, it pulls out easily. Older kids like hardbound sketchbooks.
Art Case. A large wooden or plastic case will hold and organize everything. The best are empty, allowing the child to fill it with her favorite supplies.
Pencils. Colored or graphite pencils will provide hours of creative fun. Include some colorful erasers and a cute sharpener.
Paint. A set of liquid tempera paints in primary colors plus black and white will allow the child to mix hundreds of new colors. Include a couple of brushes.
Books. How-to-draw books are great for older children; kids of all ages love picture books about art or artists.
A Trip to the Art Museum. Take your child to visit an art museum. The best part of this gift is the time you are spending with your child while looking at and talking about art.
Art Lessons. If your child enjoys and is serious about art, lessons will encourage and allow him to grow creatively long after the holidays are over.
