Books by Theme

Start the New Year with a Spark!

What do dots, musicians, the alphabet, and science share in common? Each is an art and gets better when a dash of imagination is added. Meet the Fab Four or how collaboration created a fresh ballet. Look at letters and circles anew — and more as you think about art and artists in many forms.

Free Association: Where My Mind Goes During Science Class

Free Association: Where My Mind Goes During Science Class

By: Barbara Esham
Illustrated by: Michael Gordon
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Even though Emily’s teacher is distressed that Emily daydreams during science, both recognize that Emily’s wandering mind just might lead to creativity and new ways of thinking. A lighthearted take on a serious topic reminds readers that imagination can lead to many positive things.

I’m a Frog

I’m a Frog

By: Mo Willems
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Poor Gerald just doesn’t understand Piggie when he pretends to be a frog. But Piggie persists until his friend catches on in this humorous homage to dramatic, imaginative play all presented with Willems’ signature humor.

Lots of Dots

Lots of Dots

By: Craig Frazier
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Dots abound in lots of colors all around, everywhere and every day. Some are heavy, others are light; some are even edible. This color-filled, playful, cheery look at everyday things in which dots are seen is sure to inspire creative examinations of the world around.

Paul Thurbly’s Alphabet

Paul Thurbly’s Alphabet

By: Paul Thurlby
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

What does any letter of the alphabet represent? Can you find the "embrace" in the letter E? Graphic artist Thurbly shows the action or the object created from each upper case letter from A to Z. The result is sure to inspire young artists to create while building vocabulary.

Shadow

Shadow

By: Suzy Lee
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

What can you see in shadows? A girl imagines she sees a crocodile and more — until the light returns with a click. Limited colors energetically depict her imagination. Her musings are reminiscent of shadow puppetry (and just may inspire creation of them, too).

The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny)

The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny)

By: Kathleen Krull, Paul Brewer
Illustrated by: Stacy Innerst
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

A group of young men from Liverpool changed the world of music and they enjoyed a good laugh — often on themselves. The Fab Four and their humor are presented in appealing stylized illustrations and a lighthearted narrative well suited to the material presented.

The Mischievians

The Mischievians

By: William Joyce
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

What causes the remote, or just one sock to disappear? Dr. Zooper provides the answers in his guide to the Mischevians. Young artists can add to the list of these silly critters as they laugh and share this pseudo-serious take on why things disappear.

When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky

When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky

By: Lauren Stringer
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Stravinsky, a composer, and a dancer named Nijnsky each worked alone until they met. Their collaboration initially surprised Parisians but has become a classic. Meet the composer and choreographer who created "The Rite of Spring" in evocative, swirling text and image.

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