Books About The Arts

From painting to music to fiber arts, we have plenty of books about the ways people express their creativity.

A Child’s Introduction to Jazz by Jabari Asim
From instrument basics to major musicians and famous songs, this is a thorough starting point for anyone (little or grown) who’s curious about one of America’s most famous musical genres.

Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave Song by Cynthia Grady
In one of the bleakest periods of American history, enslaved people gave voice to their experiences and asserted their dignity through song. This beautiful history of freedom songs includes detailed, evocative paintings inspired by the words of each song.

Discover Her Art: Women Artists and Their Masterpieces by Jean Leibowitz
Best suited for the late elementary and middle school crowd, this book includes biographies and analysis of the works of twenty-four women painters, many of whom never became household names. 

Woven of the World by Katey Howes
Textiles and fiber arts are some of the oldest forms of creative expression in history. This poetic picture book is a beautiful introduction to weaving traditions from all over the world.

Before Music: Where Instruments Come From by Annette Bay Pimentel
What are instruments made of? How are they made? How did people discover you could make music with a gourd, or a string, or a piece of clay? If you’ve wondered any of these things, this is the book for you!