Home › Preschool Books › Art and Creativity
Art and Creativity Books. Art books teach colors, shapes, and imagination, and they encourage children to make something of their own. These 8 books are playful, colorful, and full of ideas for drawing, painting, and creating.
- 8 books
- Ages 3–5
- Summary and how it helps
- Author and publisher listed
A note about editions: publishers and covers change when books are reprinted, and some books are published by more than one imprint. The publisher listed is for a recent edition. Check the cover or the ISBN of the copy you buy or borrow. Your local library can often find any of these books for free.
Quick Picks
Use this table to compare the books. Tap a title to jump to the full summary.
| # | Book | Author | Publisher | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mouse Paint | Ellen Stoll Walsh | Harcourt (HMH Books for Young Readers) | 3–5 |
| 2 | Color Zoo | Lois Ehlert | HarperCollins | 3–5 |
| 3 | Harold and the Purple Crayon | Crockett Johnson | HarperCollins | 3–5 |
| 4 | The Dot | Peter H. Reynolds | Candlewick Press | 4–5 |
| 5 | Ish | Peter H. Reynolds | Candlewick Press | 4–5 |
| 6 | Press Here | Hervé Tullet | Chronicle Books | 3–5 |
| 7 | Mix It Up! | Hervé Tullet | Chronicle Books | 3–5 |
| 8 | Not a Box | Antoinette Portis | HarperCollins | 3–5 |
Why Art and Creativity Books Help
Colors and shapes
Books show how colors mix and how shapes combine into pictures.
Imagination
Stories about drawing and creating encourage original ideas.
Confidence
Characters who ‘can’t draw’ but try anyway build courage.
Hands-on play
Interactive books invite touching, tapping, and shaking.
8 Best Art and Creativity Books for Preschoolers
1. Mouse Paint
- Author
- Ellen Stoll Walsh
- Illustrator
- Ellen Stoll Walsh
- Publisher
- Harcourt (HMH Books for Young Readers)
Summary: Three white mice find jars of red, yellow, and blue paint and discover that mixing the colors makes new ones.
How it helps preschoolers learn: Children see how primary colors mix into secondary colors in an easy story. Mixing paint at home reinforces the idea.
Try this: Use red, yellow, and blue paint and let your child mix new colors.
2. Color Zoo
- Author
- Lois Ehlert
- Illustrator
- Lois Ehlert
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
Summary: Die-cut shapes layer over each other to make animal faces. Turning the pages changes the animals and the shapes.
How it helps preschoolers learn: Children name shapes and colors and see how shapes combine. The die-cuts invite exploring.
Try this: Cut shapes from paper and build your own animal face.
3. Harold and the Purple Crayon
- Author
- Crockett Johnson
- Illustrator
- Crockett Johnson
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
Summary: Harold draws his own world with a purple crayon, adding a moon, a path, and a boat as he goes.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It celebrates imagination and shows that drawing can create a story. It invites children to draw their own adventures.
Try this: Give your child one crayon and ask them to draw a path to somewhere fun.
4. The Dot
- Author
- Peter H. Reynolds
- Illustrator
- Peter H. Reynolds
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
Summary: Vashti thinks she can’t draw, but her teacher asks her to make a mark. A simple dot starts a whole new love of art.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It encourages children to start small and to keep trying. It’s a gentle book for children who doubt themselves.
Try this: Make dot pictures with markers, stickers, or paint.
5. Ish
- Author
- Peter H. Reynolds
- Illustrator
- Peter H. Reynolds
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
Summary: Ramon loves to draw until a sibling laughs at his work. His younger sister helps him see that a drawing can be ‘ish.’
How it helps preschoolers learn: It shows that art doesn’t need to be perfect and helps children let go of fear of mistakes.
Try this: Draw something ‘ish’ together, like a tree-ish or a dog-ish.
6. Press Here
- Author
- Hervé Tullet
- Illustrator
- Hervé Tullet
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books
Summary: Children follow simple directions, like press the dot, shake the book, and tilt it, and the colored dots on the page change.
How it helps preschoolers learn: The interactive pages teach cause and effect, counting, and following directions. Children love being in charge.
Try this: Make your own press-and-change book with stickers and a marker.
7. Mix It Up!
- Author
- Hervé Tullet
- Illustrator
- Hervé Tullet
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books
Summary: Readers rub, tap, and tilt the page to ‘mix’ colors, and the next pages show the new colors.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It’s a playful introduction to color mixing and cause and effect, in a way that feels like magic.
Try this: Try the same ideas with finger paint on paper.
8. Not a Box
- Author
- Antoinette Portis
- Illustrator
- Antoinette Portis
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
Summary: A rabbit insists that a cardboard box is not a box and turns it into a race car, a mountain, and more.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It celebrates pretend play and shows how simple objects can spark imagination. It’s perfect for open-ended play.
Try this: Give your child a cardboard box and ask ‘What can it be?’
Tips for Reading Art and Creativity Books with Your Child
- Keep paper and crayons nearby and draw after reading.
- Praise your child’s ideas and effort, not just the finished picture.
- Talk about colors and shapes in the book.
- Let your child lead and make their own choices.
Pair These Books with More Learning
Art and Creativity Books FAQs
How can books inspire my child to make art?
Read a book about art, then set out simple supplies and invite your child to try. Ask ‘What will you make?’ without telling them what to draw.
What if my child says they can’t draw?
Read The Dot or Ish together. These stories show that any mark is a start. Draw next to your child and avoid correcting.
Are interactive books good for preschoolers?
Yes. Books like Press Here invite children to touch, tap, and shake, which keeps them engaged and builds early cause and effect understanding.
Which art books teach colors best?
Mouse Paint and Color Zoo are good choices because they show how colors mix and how shapes change. Try them with paint or crayons afterward.
More Book Lists
- English and Early Reading (12)
- Math and Counting (11)
- Science and Nature (10)
- Feelings and Friendship (11)
- Art and Creativity (8)
- Music, Rhymes, and Songs (8)
- Community and School Readiness (9)
- Parent Guides (7)
- All Preschool Books
Make Reading Part of Every Day
Pair these books with our free curriculum, activities, songs, and printables.
Sources
- CBS News: AAP recommends reading aloud to children daily, starting in infancy
- CDC: Milestones by 4 Years
- CDC: Milestones by 5 Years
- NAEYC: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice. Book summaries are written in our own words. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk with your child’s doctor or teacher.