10 Inspiring Children’s Books That Teach Creativity
Books can inspire and teach kids skills they need for a happy, creative, and successful life. Here are 10 children’s books that inspire and teach creativity.
Storytelling is one of the first ways children begin training their creative skills and learn about the world. With the power to stimulate and open the mind to new knowledge, perspectives, imagination, and other areas of cognitive development, it’s important to start reading books early in a child’s development.
When choosing books that support your child’s creativity, consider books that cover lessons in curiosity, play, growth mindset, confidence, collaboration, problem-solving, learning, and more.
Creativity is one of the most important skills for children and adults to support a happy and productive life. Discover more creative parenting tips and how to nurture your child’s creativity.
A spill. A smear. A smudge. A tear. When you think you have made a mistake, think of it as an opportunity to make something beautiful!
Beautiful Oops! by Barnie Saltzberg is an interactive children’s book about the important creative and life lesson of embracing mistakes as part of the creative process. Young readers will learn how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful and use their imagination to see possibilities.
A mistake is an adventure in creativity, a portal of discovery. A spill doesn’t ruin a drawing—not when it becomes the shape of a goofy animal. And an accidental tear in your paper? Don’t be upset about it when you can turn it into the roaring mouth of an alligator.
What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobe Yamada is a New York Times Best Seller and award-winning children’s book about creative thinking.
This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who’s ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It’s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow and see what happens next. Because your idea isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s just getting started.
What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobe Yamada is another New York Times Best Selling children’s book and a great way to nurture your child’s creativity by teaching problem-solving.
This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn’t so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared.
This Little Artist: An Art History Primer by Joan Holub is part of a great series of children’s books about people who changed the world.
Inspire your child’s creativity with stories of famous artists who changed history in this engaging and colorful book perfect for creators-in-training!
Young readers can learn all about great and empowering artists in history! Highlighting ten memorable artists who paved the way, parents and little ones alike will love this creativity primer full of fun, age-appropriate facts, and bold illustrations.
I’m NOT just a Scribble… by Diane Alber is a creative children’s book about kindness and inclusion.
Scribble, the book’s main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, After being left out because he didn’t look like everyone else. Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are. Which enables them to create amazing art.
Featuring illustrations that any child can recognize, this fun book also includes 100 stickers so that children can create their very own Scribble. They will be able to learn different emotions (that were discussed in the book) as well as associate colors with feelings in a fun and creative way.
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty is a creative children’s book from the “Questioneers” series that is an inspiring story about the power of teamwork and the importance of celebrating individual gifts and self-expression.
Some kids sculpt sand castles. Some make mud pies. Some construct great block towers. But none are better at building than Iggy Peck, who once erected a life-size replica of the Great Sphinx on his front lawn! It’s too bad that few people appreciate Iggy’s talent—certainly not his second-grade teacher, Miss Lila Greer. It looks as if Iggy will have to trade in his T square for a box of crayons . . . until a fateful field trip proves just how useful a mast builder can be.
The Dot by Peter H Reynolds is a creative children’s book with a witty story and free-spirited illustrations that are sure to inspire the imagination and creative spirit in all of us.
Her teacher smiled. “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”
Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw – she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. “There!” she says.
That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires is a charming picture book about an unnamed girl and her very best friend, who happens to be a dog. This fun and creative book is about the creative process of bringing an idea to life and the obstacles one has to overcome to do so. It’s a perfect example of the rewards of perseverance and creativity.
The story is about a girl who has a wonderful idea. “She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt is a hilarious, colorful #1 New York Times bestselling children’s book about problem-solving, collaboration, communication, empathy, and other important creative skills.
Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Blue crayon needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. Black crayon wants to be used for more than just outlining. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?
The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines is a #1 New York Times bestseller that celebrates how creativity and acceptance can come together to make for a bright and beautiful adventure.
Follow a group of children as they each build their very own hot-air balloons. As the kids work together, leaning into their own skills and processes, we discover that the same is true for life—it’s more beautiful and vibrant when our differences are celebrated.
Zach is an international writer, photographer, filmmaker, martial artist, and creator of Creative Enso, the Zen art of creative living. His goal is to empower and inspire creatives to live healthier, happier, and more creative lifestyles.
