10+ Best Art Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce the colorful world of creativity to your little one? Look no further! Our guide to the best art books for 6-year-olds is packed with picks that are sure to inspire and entertain. From interactive books that invite hands-on fun to beautifully illustrated introductions to the art world, we’ve rounded up favorites that cater to every young artist’s needs. Keep reading to discover our top selections that will not only entertain but also educate and inspire your budding Picasso!

Fun Art Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: This delightful book tells the story of a young girl named Vashti who believes she cannot draw. Encouraged by her teacher to make a mark on her paper, Vashti's dot becomes the beginning of her journey into creativity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to explore their own artistic abilities and helps build confidence in their creative expressions.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need a little encouragement to discover their creative side.

• Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: In this follow-up to The Dot, Reynolds tells the story of Ramon, who loves to draw, but loses confidence when his brother laughs at his work. Ramon learns 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 expression, fostering a healthy attitude towards self-criticism and artistic freedom.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are perfectionists or are afraid to make mistakes.

• Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive Books
  • Synopsis: This unique interactive book shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. A torn paper is just the start of a crocodile's smile, and a spill of paint can turn into something amazing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children see the creative potential in their mistakes, turning accidents into art.
  • Perfect for: Children who might feel discouraged by errors and need a boost in seeing the positive sides of mishaps.

• Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive Books, Concept Books
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book invites kids to follow simple instructions to interact with the colors on the page, teaching them about color mixing in a hands-on and engaging way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and interactive way to learn about colors and stimulates a child's imagination and sense of wonder through direct engagement.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who enjoys playing and learning simultaneously.

• Art & Max by David Wiesner
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Art, a serious and accomplished painter, and his friend Max, a novice, explore the world of art together. Through their adventures, Max helps Art see things in new ways, including a humorous take on what happens when you push the boundaries of art.
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the joys of artistic experimentation and the value of seeing the world through someone else's eyes.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about friendship and creativity, and those who like to think outside the box.

Educational Art Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes
  • Genre(s): Educational, Art Instruction
  • Synopsis: This instructional book provides a step-by-step guide for teaching children to draw with confidence and enjoyment, using the author's unique method.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Artistic skills, observation skills, concentration, and creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex drawing tasks into simple steps, making it accessible and fun for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young aspiring artists and any child interested in learning to draw.

• Art Lab for Kids by Susan Schwake
  • Genre(s): Educational, Art Instruction
  • Synopsis: Offers 52 creative art projects for children, encouraging them to explore different materials and techniques.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, fine motor skills, understanding of various art forms
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a wide range of activities that are both fun and educational, helping children to explore and express themselves artistically.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love experimenting with different art materials and techniques.

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book uses colors and simple illustrations to help children understand and manage their emotions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, color recognition, vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great tool for helping children articulate and understand their feelings through the medium of art.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning to express their emotions and those interested in art and colors.

• Let's Make Some Great Art by Marion Deuchars
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Art Instruction
  • Synopsis: Encourages children to doodle, draw, and color as they learn about famous artworks and different artistic techniques.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Knowledge of art history, creativity, motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun activities with educational content, making learning about art an interactive experience.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who enjoy interactive books and those with an interest in history and art.

• My Very First Art Book by Rosie Dickins
  • Genre(s): Art, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: Introduces young children to art with simple, engaging activities based on famous artworks.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Art appreciation, creativity, basic art skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for young children, making it easy for them to engage with art from an early age.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early school-age children who are just starting to explore the world of art.

Challenging Art Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Art for Baby by Various Artists
  • Genre(s): Children's Art, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This board book features high-contrast black and white artworks from famous modern artists, designed to stimulate visual development in babies and young children.
  • Why this book is challenging: The inclusion of sophisticated, abstract art introduces young readers to complex visual stimuli that differ from typical children's book illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It exposes children to high art from a very young age, fostering early appreciation and recognition of artistic styles and elements.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers, especially those whose parents want to cultivate an early interest in art.

• The Museum by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: A child visits a museum and reacts to different pieces of art in various ways, exploring the feelings and thoughts that art can evoke.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces the concept of art interpretation and the idea that art can evoke a wide range of emotions and thoughts, which are complex concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to think about and articulate their own reactions to art, promoting emotional intelligence and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are beginning to explore their own feelings about art and those visiting museums.

• Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Concept Book
  • Synopsis: Three white mice discover jars of red, blue, and yellow paint and explore the world of color by mixing them to make new colors.
  • Why this book is challenging: It teaches color theory through a narrative, which is a sophisticated concept tailored in a simple way for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful introduction to primary and secondary colors, and the interactive story allows children to predict outcomes, enhancing their cognitive skills.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners learning about colors and mixing.

• Katie and the Starry Night by James Mayhew
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: Katie explores five famous Van Gogh paintings and enters the world within the artworks, experiencing the scenes and meeting the artist.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book involves concepts of art history and the notion of interacting with the art, pushing the boundaries of typical narrative structures for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes art history accessible and engaging for young readers, sparking curiosity about art and its creators.
  • Perfect for: Children who show an interest in stories and adventures, as well as those curious about famous artworks.

• Seen Art? by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art
  • Synopsis: A young boy goes to the Museum of Modern Art looking for his friend Art, but instead, he embarks on a tour of modern masterpieces, learning about art along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It cleverly uses a homonym to introduce children to modern art, blending a simple narrative with complex ideas about art appreciation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and inventive way to introduce young readers to the world of art, making it memorable and fun.
  • Perfect for: Young readers with a sense of humor who might enjoy a playful introduction to art.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to cultivate a love of art and reading in your 6-year-old, art books are a fantastic tool. Not only do they introduce young minds to the visual arts, but they also help develop early reading habits. Here are some engaging exercises to pair with art books that will make reading a fun and educational adventure for your little one:

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Create a story based on a picture in the art book.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and puts reading into a creative context.
  • Tips: Let your child dictate the story to you if they're not yet writing independently.

• Art Detective
  • What it is: Find and point out different colors, shapes, or characters in the art book.
  • How it helps: Enhances observational skills and helps with color and shape recognition.
  • Tips: Turn it into a game to see who can spot items the fastest.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: Read a page or passage and then draw what was described.
  • How it helps: Strengthens comprehension and recall abilities.
  • Tips: Provide a variety of art supplies to make this activity more exciting and colorful.

• Character Interview
  • What it is: Pretend to interview a character from the book, asking them questions about their life and adventures.
  • How it helps: Boosts empathy and deeper understanding of narratives.
  • Tips: Take turns playing the role of the character and the interviewer.

• Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map based on the story settings found in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding of spatial concepts and story structure.
  • Tips: Use bright colors and stickers to mark important places in the story.

These exercises aren't just educational; they're a lot of fun too! By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you'll help your child develop a love for books and art that will last a lifetime. Happy reading and creating!