This collection of books about famous artists chronicles their challenges, accomplishments, and triumphs and can serve as a wonderful way to inspire burgeoning creativity in young readers.
1. Henri's Scissors by Jeanette Winter
Confined to a wheelchair in the later stages of his life, Henri Matisse began creating the large whimsical paper cutouts that grew to become the defining part of his oeuvre.
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2. Art is Everywhere: A Book About Andy Warhol by Jeff Mack
Andy Warhol gave the world more than iconic Campbell's soup cans and prints of celebrities - he contributed to an entirely new genre of creative expression called 'pop art' which has revolutionized 20th-century art, movies, and magazines.
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3. Monet Paints a Day by Julie Danneberg
Claude Monet was an iconic artist who contributed greatly to the impressionism movement in Europe. This compelling story tells his life story using beautiful watercolor illustrations to bring his famous artwork to life.
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4. The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau
Henri Rousseau painted beautiful and lush jungle landscapes as well as colorful birds and wild animals. His lust for life was evidenced by his use of bright, saturated colors and natural themes.
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5. Vincent Can't Sleep: Van Gogh Paints the Night Sky by Barb Rosenstock
This amazing picture book is based on a true story that details the nighttime journeys that inspired one of the most beloved and famous paintings of the 20th century: Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.
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6. Edward Hopper Paints His World by Robert Burleigh
Edward Hopper's paintings made striking use of light and shadow to create distinctly stark cityscapes.
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7. Klimt and his Cat by Berenice Capatti
Gustav Klimt's gorgeous paintings, embellished with gold foil and surreal details have inspired artists for centuries.
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8. Leonardo and the Flying Boy by Laurence Anholt
17th century Italy is the backdrop for this thrilling tale of Leonardo da Vinci and his young apprentice, eager to learn about flying machines and creativity from the illustrious artist.
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9. Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
The famous American painter Jackson Pollock contributed a bold expressionist style of art by using a 'drip technique' of splashing paint on large canvases.
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10. 100 Pablo Picassos
Arguably one of the most famous abstract artists of all time, Pablo Picasso was a prolific artist who created over 50,000 works of art, encompassing themes of love, art, peace, and war.
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11. Michaelangelo for Kids by Simonetta Carr
This creative activity book features the life story of one of the most influential artists of all time: Michaelangelo. Kids will learn about his cross-hatching technique, homemade paint, and the process the famous artist used to make his statues.
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12. Dali and the Path of Dreams
Dali's acclaimed paintings feature a surreal style, with dreamlike landscapes and whimsical themes.
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13. My Name Is Georgia: A Portrait by Jeanette Winter
This portrait of the celebrated American artist Georgia O'Keefe celebrates her love of flowers and nature and her commitment to forging her own unique style.
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14. Rembrandt and the Boy Who Drew Dogs: A Story About Rembrandt van Rijn by Molly Blaisdell
The Dutch painter Rembrandt's famous paintings were elaborate studies in light and shadow, capturing the radiant atmosphere of his native Holland in a singular style.
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15. I Am Frida Kahlo by Brad Meltzer
One of the most famous female artists of all time, Frida Kahlo channeled her physical pain into beautiful celebrations of Mexican art and culture.
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16. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
This creative book weaves the story of prolific Dutch artist Vermeer with a children's mystery adventure.
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17. Cezanne and the Apple Boy
This beautifully illustrated book features reproductions of Cezanne's incredible masterpieces while telling the heartwarming story of a young boy who befriends the famous artist.
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18. Miró's Magic Animals by Anthony Penrose
Spanish artist Miro's simply childlike style is sure to appeal to young artists looking for creative inspiration.
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19. Sunday with Seurat by Julie Merberg
This charming story features Seurat's compelling portraits and his famous pointillist style.
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20. Mr. Gaugin's Heart by Marie-Danielle Croteau
This lovely book tells the story of how Gauguin channeled his grief into art and found inspiration in his family's world travels.
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21 Great Ballerina Books for Kids 