Books

Here you will find elementary age books that continue to inspire creation of art and prompt discussion.

Books on Social Justice Issues (As of June 2020, focusing on racial equality and self love)

Books On Self Love and Acceptance

Sulwe, written by Lupita Nyong'o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

All Because You Matter written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier

The Proudest Blue written by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly

Where Are You From? written by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Jamie Kim

My Hair is a Garden written and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Julian is a Mermaid written and illustrated by Jessica Love

We Are Grateful, Otsaliheliga written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessa

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Books about Historical Figures and Activists

Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X written by Ilyasah Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford

Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army written by Art Coulson, illustrated by Nick Hardcastle

Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History written by Vashti Harrison

Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story written by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Lin Wang

Coretta Scott written by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

When I Was Eight written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

Books That Inspire Art

“Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat"

Written and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe

"Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing"

Written by Kay Haring Illustrated by Robert Neubecker

"Parker Looks Up"

Written by Parker and Jessica Curry and illustrated by Brittany Jackson.

"My Name Is Georgia"

Written and Illustrated by Jeanette Winter

"Magritte's Marvelous Hat"

Written and Illustrated by D. Johnson

“Henri’s Scissors”

Written and Illustrated by Jeanette Winter.

"Zentangle for Kids"

Created by Jane Marbaix

"Linnea in Monet's Garden"

Written by Christina Björk

Illustrated by Lena Anderson

Translated by Joan Sandin

"Action Jackson"

Written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker

"Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, A Young Artist in Harlem"

Written by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts

Illustrated by Christopher Myers

"Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos”

Written by Monica Brown and illustrated by John Parra.

"Who Was Pablo Picasso?"

Written and Illustrated by True Kelley

"Monet Paints a Day"

Written by Julie Danneberg and illustrated by Caitlin Heimerl.

"They Say Blue"

Written and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki.

“Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity!”

Written by Sarah Suzuki Illustrated by Ellen Weinstein.

“My Museum”

Written and illustrated by Joanne Liu.

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