Children love creating things probably as much as they love ruining them afterward. But when it comes to art, there are some ways you can motivate your child to be more creative with what they make. Here are ten children’s books to inspire creativity.

#1 Looking at Pictures by Susan Woodford

If you want your children to learn about the history of art, then this book is definitely the right fit for you. Looking at pictures uses simple language which will be understandable for kids while also having a lot of information densely put together. It also has lots of images, from cave paintings to modern art, that will help your child navigate easier. It also discusses such topics as the hidden meanings of art, types of paintings, use of color, etc.

#2 Colorful Dreamer: The Story of Artist Henri Matisse by Marjorie Blain Parker

Henri Matisse, a well-known and one of the most beloved artists in the world, was also once a little boy who struggled to become a famous painter. This book goes into detail about his life, starting from his childhood when he lived in a dull town where he was considered a dreamer with no future. Your child will learn what it means to be determined and work towards your dream.

#3 Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

Ish is a book from the author of the award-winning picture book The Dot. It tells the story of Ramon, who loves to draw and discovers that it is not always necessary to get things “just right” and it might be better to think “ish-ly.” If your child is currently questioning whether or not they are a good artist, this book will help them understand that they can do things their own way.

#4 Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman

For children who are very active, it might not always be easy to sit down and draw. They prefer moving freely and sometimes even wreaking havoc all around them. This book will be a perfect fit for such kids because it tells the story of a small chick who finds blue paint in the farmyard and starts creating. The book addresses the reader directly sometimes, which makes it even more engaging.

#5 Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg

Of course, you could use Online Writers Rating to choose a writer for you, but sometimes pictures speak louder than words and so does this book. Beautiful Oops is a book for all youngsters who are afraid of making mistakes. It will show your child that making mistakes is not always a bad thing and, in fact, can lead to a new discovery and a lot of creativity.

#6 Hugo & Miles in: I’ve Painted Everything! by Scott Magoon

Has your child ever asked what they should draw? Well, what about when they run out of things to paint? That’s what happened to the main character of this book, Hugo. This book will help your child to get out of the art block and get inspired yet again to continue creating and continue drawing. It also features some famous art pieces.

#7 Faces by Zoe Miller and David Goodman

When it comes to expanding your child’s imagination, there are many things you can do. But what is more important is to teach them how to find inspiration from anything and everything. Faces will show your children that looking around at different objects they see every day can be more interesting than they think. This out-of-the-box thinking will be a lifesaver for them.

#8 Dog Loves Drawing by Louise Yates

The main character of this book is Dog. He loves reading, but one day, he receives a blank book which is not for reading – it is for drawing. Dog starts sketching and doodles a man who comes alive and they go on exciting adventures together. It is a fun and engaging book which will be interesting for every kid who loves adventurous books.

#9 The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

As mentioned earlier, The Dot is an award-winning picture book. The story follows a girl named Vashti who feels that she can’t draw, so her paper still stays blank after art class. Her teacher encourages her to overcome her fear and Vashti even later helps her classmate to do the same thing. It is an inspirational and very lighthearted book every kid will enjoy.

#10 The Art Book for Children & The Art Book for Children Book 2 by Amanda Renshaw

Last but not least, these two books are a great alternative for learning about art history if the one mentioned earlier on this list doesn’t suit your child. There are dozens of art pieces inside the book and explanations next to them that will teach your child to understand and interpret art instead of thinking of it as a confusing object.

Final Thoughts

All in all, inspiring creativity in your children is as easy as it sounds. You just have to find a book they will enjoy reading (or looking through) and give it to them. Creating art is an essential part of development, so you should support your child in this rather than judging them.

Author Bio: Frank Hamilton is a blogger and translator from Manchester. He is a professional writing expert in such topics as blogging, digital marketing, and self-education. He also loves traveling and speaks Spanish, French, German and English.