Storybook Art

Storybook Art: Hands-on Art for Children in the Styles of 100 Great Picture Book Illustrators

A Book by: MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter

Storybook Art, written by MaryAnn Kohl and Jean Potter, introduces children to picture book illustrators. These are great activities for elementary school libraries. The book offers over 100 companion art activities matched to children’s favorite picture books.

Storybook Art inspires students while introducing them to new literature as well as becoming more familiar with the classics. The book presents hands-on, easy art projects. It allows children to become more aware of book illustrations by taking part in these hands-on art activities. Most of the books and illustrators chosen are award-winning and of the highest quality and inspiration.

Activities for ages 4-12

Here is an example from the book:

Jan Brett, Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Jan Brett incorporates a technique called “sidebars” in her illustrations. Sidebars give the reader a peek at what is happening “behind-the-scene,” often an unexpected twist to an familiar story.

Materials used: Large white drawing paper, pre-drawn with a straight edge on the short side for “sidebars,” ruler, drawing tools (pencils, crayons, markers, pens, colored pencils).

Students will illustrate one scene from a favorite story or book and illustrate it in the main body of the paper. They can illustrate whatever might be happening “behind-the-scenes” in the “sidebars” of the paper. See sample page below: