CREATIVITY

GET REAL MALLORY (Daisy Hirst)

Nomi loves drawing dogs, but she finds them difficult. It's much easier to draw fish because she owns one. She's not allowed a dog. Nomi’s older brother, Stephen, tells her to ‘get real’ when she asks why not. So at bedtime, Nomi tells her dog drawing to ‘get real’ too. Then, in the dead of night, her dog DOES. Mallory gets real! Nomi has her own dog friend! And then the adventures really begin...

Nomi and Mallory are a fantastic picture book duo - familiar, characterful and well-observed. Daisy Hirst’s writing voice is pitch perfect and dotted with humour. The combination of words and pictures bring to life this child’s eye view of the world, and will surely make every reader want to grab a pot of crayons and create.

Get Real Mallory! (Walker, 2023) is a magical story celebrating the power of a creative imagination.

ART AND JOY (Danielle Krysa)

Art and Joy (Prestel, 2023) is the story of two best friends who love making things. Art and Joy make the most creative things out of almost nothing. There are no rules to their imagination and no limits.

That is until Art Bully comes along and tells Art that their work is silly and weird and messy and wrong. Suddenly, Art can’t paint or draw or colour. They decide to only make serious, normal, tidy and right things… but that only makes Art miserable. Art eventually overcomes the art bully and their criticisms, learning there’s no wrong way to make art.

Danielle’s illustrations match the theme of this uplifting text perfectly - bright and playful collages show children how creative you can be with seemingly mundane objects. Suitable for children aged 5yrs and up, this book will help young artists find their creative joy - silencing their inner Art Bully and embracing a growth mindset.

AN ARTIST’S EYES (Frances Tosdevin, Clemence Monnet)

Jo is a little boy who desperately wants to 'see like an artist'. He tries as hard as he can to see the things the way Mo does, and when he starts to use his imagination, he realises that the things he dreams up are completely unique to him. From the autumn oranges of the forest floor to pink and lilac pigeons in flight, Mo teaches Jo to trust his own eyes, and to see like an artist.

A thoughtful and beautiful book about creativity and the power of imagination that helps readers realise that our perspectives are unique and that no two artist's eyes are the same. 

A TULIP IN WINTER (Kathy Stinson, Lauren Soloy)

Maud is one-of-a-kind. But she has a one-of-a-kind condition that the doctor can’t explain. Her ‘crooked walk’ and ‘stiff fingers’ make things difficult. Until one day when Maud’s mum gives her a paintbrush. And so begins a journey of ups and downs, of colour and darkness. From bright paintings of the sea and countryside, to the flowers and birds she paints on the walls of her small house, Maud’s art delights and inspires all those around her, right up until the end of her life… and afterwards.

A Tulip in Winter (Greystone Kids, 2023) is celebration of the beloved and iconic folk artist, Maud Lewis, who despite spending much of her life living in poverty with rheumatoid arthritis, brought joy and beauty to the world through her artistic expression.

NATURE IS AN ARTIST (Jennifer Lavallee, Natalia Colombo)

In this colourful playful book, Nature is an artist who shows readers how they can be artists, too. Nature paints and sculpts, collages and etches and the children in the story are inspired to stamp, make and create in turn.

Nature Is An Artist (Greystone, 2023) is a beautiful, empowering rhyming story that celebrates the natural world and encourages creativity. We can all be artists - let nature instil us with confidence and ideas and show us how.

THE ARTIST (Ed Vere)

One brave little artist goes on an epic adventure to share her art with the world, and in doing so learns that it doesn't matter if you colour outside the lines, that art is full of heart... and that maybe you are an artist too!

The Artist (Penguin, 2023) is a joyous and inspiring picture book about what it means to be an artist, encouraging us to wonder, play and be at home making mistakes. It takes courage to share art with the world, but a little girl reminds the main character to embrace the messy beauty of her art. Soon, her colours fly wild and free and she rediscovers exactly why she loves what she does. Ed Vere boldly and colourfully models what is to create art and be an artist.

THE BOY WITH FLOWERS IN HIS HAIR (Jarvis)

His name is David.

He’s the boy with flowers in his hair and he’s my best friend...

David is the boy with flowers in his hair. He’s sweet and gentle, just like his petals. But when David’s flowers begin to fall – a single petal at first, then every last blossom – his best friend never leaves his side. And through kindness and creativity, he even finds a way to give David his colour back…

The Boy With Flowers In His Hair (Walker, 2022) is a beautifully illustrated and gentle story, told through sensitively-written sentences and stunning illustrations. The unique idea of a child with flowers in their hair, holds a hidden message - encouraging us to look out for each other and take care of our friends. It’s a story about being there for someone when they are at their most vulnerable and brings to life a pure and poignant friendship that children will never forget.