These art appreciation book reviews will help you to find resources for a natural and wonderful way to learn about art and artists alongside your child. We have used many of them on and off but most remain our favorites.

Painter's Cat, The The story is set in Renaissance Italy in Venice. Micio is a stray cat who is adopted by an artist. But Micio is under the impression that he is no longer loved by his owner as he is always painting. The illustrations depict Venetian life beautifully and the story line is endearing as the cat find his way into one of his master’s masterpieces. It is now available as an e-book or only on the second hand market.

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Linnea in Monet's Garden

A gorgeous hardcover book overlaying illustrations onto Monet’s works. A story about a young girl who visits France and Monet’s beautiful garden. Here she learns about his life and family – we even get to see photographs of them and his quaint home. This story inspired our 7 year old so much that she spend many days copying his water lily painting.

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Camille and the Sunflowers

Camille is a young boy living in France. One day the train “delivers” the scruffy artist – Van Gogh. He is an outcast to most of the village, yet Camille risks his own reputation to get to know the artist more. A gentle poignant tale of this troubled yet famous artist.

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Come Look with Me Series

This series is a great help for moms who feel totally out of their depth with art appreciation because they may not know much about this field. These books have a picture on one side of a double page spread and thought provoking questions and a little about the artist on the other. Each book covers a theme rather than a specific artist. We use these casually by displaying the book open on one page which we will change every now and again. Titles we have used in this series are:

Exploring Landscape Art with Children

Animals in Art

World of Play

Enjoying art with children

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Michelangelo

In true Stanley style we meet Michelanglo. Diane weaves the art of this master into her illustrations. Along with an interesting fact filled story line, it is a great introduction to one of the great artists of the Late Renaissance period.

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Leonardo da Vinci

In this book we meet the great Leonardo Da Vinci! Again a master piece for children (and parents). She shows his art, inventions and thoughts in a way only she can.

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The following art appreciation book reviews are chapter books which you can read aloud to your children or they can read alone. But to be honest they are such great stories...moms will miss out if they don't sit in!

The Apprentice by Pilar Molina Llorente

A mystery story filled with intrigue about a young boy who is apprenticed to an art master. He finds a young man in the attic and the ensuing discoveries are enthralling. The story is set during the Renaissance.

The Journeyman by Elizabeth Yates

A story based on the journeyman painters of New England who traveled the country and did detailed stenciling in rooms of peoples homes. This book is much more than a book about art, it traces the delight of a misunderstood child as he becomes a young man and wins his childhood sweetheart. Truly delightful.

Eyewitness Guides

For older children, Dorling Kindersley has a fantastic range of Eyewitness guides covering topics such as perspective in art, Van Gogh, Renaissance Art, Monet etc.

Art appreciation can become a normal part of your day to day life with your children. There is no need to make it into a subject to add to your load. Using some books from the above art appreciation book reviews and my article called Art Appreciation the Charlotte Mason way , you will see how it can integrate into your homeschool lifestyle.

Other pages you may be interested in:
Organize your art cupboard
Art and craft ideas

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