Picture Books for Young Artists

 

Some books are mirrors, reflecting characters that readers can relate to, while others are windows, offering a view of someone else's world. Aspiring young artists may see themselves in these richly illustrated picture books.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê; illustrated by Dan Santat

Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat’s dynamic artwork transports readers to a dragon-filled fantasy world in Drawn Together by Vietnamese-American author Minh Lê. This imaginative book uses vivid imagery to reveal a tender story of a boy and his grandfather who overcome generational and language barriers and bond over their mutual love of art. 

It Began With a  Page, How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear; illustrated by Julie Morstad

In 1913, five-year-old Gyo Fujikawa filled blank pages with drawings of animals, plants, and people. As a young woman, Gyo studied Japanese art techniques and even designed books at Walt Disney’s studio in New York. But when Gyo’s family was forced to leave their home in California to live in an internment camp for Japanese, Gyo lost her inspiration to create. After the war, Gyo illustrated holiday cards, magazine projects, window designs, and books. Her 1963 book, Babies was one of the first books to feature biracial characters, making Fujikawa a trailblazer in more ways than one.  

Kyo Maclear’s It Began with a Page is an inspiring biography of Gyo Fujikawa's unique life and is filled with with beautiful illustrations by Julie Morstad. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist