10+ Best Art Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce your little one to the world of creativity? Look no further! Our curated selection of art books for 5-year-olds is designed to inspire and engage young minds. Whether you're looking to spark an interest in painting, drawing, or simply appreciating beautiful illustrations, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to captivate and educate your budding artist.

Fun Art Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Vashti believes she can't draw, but her teacher encourages her to make a mark on a piece of paper. This leads to a journey of self-discovery and creativity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and confidence in young readers by showing them that art is about expression and there's no wrong way to do it.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who needs a boost in confidence.

• Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: Ramon loves to draw, but he quits after his brother laughs at his drawings. Ramon's sister helps him see that his drawings don't need to be perfect, they just need to be "ish".
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that creativity is not about perfection but about enjoying and exploring your own unique style.
  • Perfect for: Children who are perfectionists or are afraid to make mistakes.

• Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: This interactive book shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic tool for teaching resilience and innovation, showing that mistakes can lead to surprising and delightful outcomes.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to navigate failures and accidents creatively.

• Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive, Art
  • Synopsis: This book invites kids to follow simple instructions to interact with the colors on the page, teaching them about color mixing in a hands-on way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a playful and engaging way to learn about colors and stimulates imagination through direct interaction.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who enjoy interactive reading and hands-on learning.

• Art & Max by David Wiesner
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: Max wants to be an artist like Arthur, but his first attempt goes awry. This leads to a series of unexpected adventures in art and creativity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and imaginative tale that encourages experimentation and finding one's own artistic voice.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories with humor and a touch of whimsy, as well as budding artists.

Educational Art Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Color with Me, Grandma! by Jasmine Narayan, illustrated by Udayana Lugo
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Activity Book, Art
  • Synopsis: This book is designed as an interactive coloring activity for children and their grandparents, featuring scenes and prompts that encourage collaboration and conversation.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, intergenerational bonding, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It not only fosters creativity but also strengthens the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren through shared artistic activities.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who enjoy coloring and spending time with their grandparents.

• My First Book of Patterns by Bobby and June George, illustrated by Boyoun Kim
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the concept of patterns, showing them how to recognize and create patterns using simple, visually engaging illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Pattern recognition, early math skills, artistic perception
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent resource for beginning learners to understand and appreciate patterns, which are fundamental in both art and mathematics.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners beginning to explore basic concepts in math and art.

• Art Workshop for Children by Barbara Rucci, illustrated by Betsy McKenna
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a collection of open-ended art activities that encourage children to explore their creativity and express themselves through various art materials and techniques.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative expression, fine motor skills, sensory awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It guides children through the creative process, encouraging experimentation and personal expression without the pressure of specific outcomes.
  • Perfect for: Young children and educators looking for a resource to facilitate art exploration in a classroom or home setting.

• Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This instructional book teaches basic drawing skills using a step-by-step method that is accessible and enjoyable for children as young as five.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Drawing skills, observation skills, concentration
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a structured yet flexible approach to teaching drawing, making it easy for children to develop confidence in their artistic abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are interested in learning to draw and parents or teachers who wish to support their artistic development.

Challenging Art Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Art for Baby by Various Artists
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: This high-contrast black and white book features artwork from renowned contemporary artists, designed to stimulate visual development in infants and toddlers.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces abstract and modern art concepts that are typically beyond the usual scope for this age group, challenging their visual and cognitive perception.
  • Why we recommend this book: It exposes young children to the world of contemporary art early on, which can help develop an appreciation for artistic diversity and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers, particularly those whose parents want to introduce complex visual stimuli early in development.

• The Museum by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: A child visits a museum and experiences various emotions and sensations as they interact with different forms of art.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces children to the concept of experiencing art as an interactive and emotional journey, which is a sophisticated approach to understanding art.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that art is not just to be viewed but to be experienced, encouraging them to think about and react to art in personal and emotional ways.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are new to museum visits or who enjoy stories that explore feelings and sensations.

• Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: Three white mice discover jars of red, blue, and yellow paint and explore the world of color by mixing them in various ways.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces basic color theory through a narrative that requires understanding of color mixing, a concept that can be challenging for very young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful introduction to primary and secondary colors, and the interactive story encourages children to think about how colors combine.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are beginning to learn about colors and how they interact.

• Matthew's Dream by Leo Lionni
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: Matthew the mouse visits an art museum with his class and is inspired to become an artist after seeing the beautiful paintings there.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with themes of inspiration and following one's dreams, which are more complex motivational concepts for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to recognize and pursue their own dreams, particularly in the creative arts, by showing how exposure to art can change one's life.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are interested in art or need encouragement to follow their creative passions.

• When Pigasso Met Mootisse by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: A humorous account of what might happen if Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were neighbors and initially rivals, but eventually collaborators.
  • Why this book is challenging: It plays on the historical and stylistic differences between two famous artists, which requires some understanding of art history and styles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and creative introduction to the lives and works of two of the most influential artists in history, wrapped in a story about friendship and collaboration.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy funny stories and those with an interest in learning about famous artists and art history.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 5-year-old to the colorful world of art books, here are some fun and educational exercises to enhance their reading habits. These activities are designed to make reading more engaging and beneficial for little ones. Let’s dive in!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you and your child look at the pictures in the book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: This helps children make predictions about the story and stimulates their imagination.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to encourage your child to express what they think is happening.

• Storytelling Swap
  • What it is: Take turns telling the story based on the art in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances creativity and helps with understanding narrative structure.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to create different endings or add characters to the story.

• Art Detective
  • What it is: Identify different colors, shapes, and objects in the artwork.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and recognition skills, important for early literacy.
  • Tips: Make it a game by asking your child to find something blue or something that starts with a certain letter.

• Create Your Art Book
  • What it is: Encourage your child to create their own art book using drawings or collages.
  • How it helps: Fosters a sense of accomplishment and encourages self-expression.
  • Tips: Provide a variety of materials and let your child’s imagination run wild.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: After reading a book, have your child draw a scene or character from the story.
  • How it helps: Reinforces comprehension and gives a creative outlet to express understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Discuss the story with your child as they draw to help them recall details.

These exercises aren't just about reading; they're about making reading a multi-sensory, enjoyable experience that will help your child love books for years to come. Give them a try and watch your little one's imagination and reading skills blossom!