29 Inspiring Picture Books to Unlock Kids’ Creativity
Creativity makes empathy easier.
Walking in someone else's shoes is - above all - an act of imagination. Help your child (and yourself!) unlock creative potential and practice imaginative thinking with the conversation starters and books in this unique list. When you're ready, use your creativity to share kindness with our project suggestions below!
Enjoy our growing list of thoughtful books to spark imagination!
Featured Titles
The Artivist by Nikkolas Smith
An inspiring book about a boy who, realizing all the inequities in the world, combines his passion for art and his desire to act. Your creative child may also be inspired to become an artivist, using their art (or whatever their passion is) for positive action. Perfect for ages 5 - 7, but all ages will benefit from enjoying this book together.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
Discover the reason this book tops any book list about creative endeavors. It's impossible to read reach the end without a strong desire to "make your mark."
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Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
In this culture nearly paralyzed by a fear of failure, we are hearing time and again that children aren't being allowed to make mistakes. This book is certainly part of the cure! Discover the beauty in a mistake, then set out to make a few of your own!
Can You Find It? America: Search and Discover More Than 150 Details in 20 Works of Art by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Linda Falken
Look beyond the overall picture to discover details and otherwise overlooked features within famous works of art.
Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino
Doug is a robot who wants to learn about the world by exploring it, rather than simply getting downloaded facts. Reveals the joys of getting “unplugged.”
The Dreamer by Il Sung Na
Whimsical illustrations and a charmingly persistent pig invite readers on the cyclical journey of dreaming, trying, failing, and learning. In language even the youngest reader will adore, this sweet story reminds us that the biggest dreams benefit from the support of a strong community, a big heart, and a great deal of grit.
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
The inspirational story of how one little girl changed the world through her passion for drumming. Beautiful, vibrant illustrations.
Ella’s Trip to the Museum by Elaine Clayton
Ella uses her vivid imagination – dancing with the ballerinas in the paintings, frolicking with a statue of a Roman goddess — to make her visit to the museum memorable.
Frida by Jonah Winter
This sweet, insightful tribute to Frida Kahlo illustrates the many ways she channeled the challenges she faced into art that healed herself and offered comfort to those around her.
Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills by Renee Watson
A biography of Florence Mills, a powerful voice of the Harlem Renaissance, who used that voice to advocate for justice.
How the Sphinx Got to the Museum by Jessie Hartland
Follow the journey of the Sphinx over the span of thousands of years from its journey from Egypt to New York City.
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
Kids everywhere will fall in love with Iggy Peck and his outrageous, unstoppable urge to create. With towers of diapers, cathedrals of apples, and a second-grade teacher who believes the classroom is no place for an architect, this clever story will become a family favorite.
Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell
The touching story of how a community comes together to create beauty. Based on a true story.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Have you ever set out to make something magnificent? Have you ever had a vision, but wondered how to make it a reality? Have you ever been so frustrated by a project that - vision or no vision - you decided to quit right then and there? This charming book may help you look at your current challenges from a whole new angle.
Mrs. Brown on Exhibit and Other Museum Poems by Susan Katz, illustrated by R.W. Alley
A collection of poems from a teacher and her class who love museums. From an insectarium to clocks to a giant heart, kids learn about exhibits in museums all over the country.
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
Grab your boxes, parents. This book is a celebration of an imaginative play in its most classic form. When your story is done, visit our Pinterest Board Kids Can Upcycle! for more ideas for creating something new out of something ordinary.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna
When a little girl loses her video game, she finds a world of adventure out in the rain. Your whole family will adore the author’s illustrations.
Sarabella's Thinking Cap by Judy Schachner
Sarabella can't help but daydream, and her teachers and classmates are getting frustrated with her. If only they could understand all the beautiful thoughts that run through her head. She creates an amazing "thinking cap” to show everyone how rich her imagination really is.
Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons. The uplifting story of the brothers who wrote the “Black national anthem” and how it was used as a force for change.
Sneaky Art: Crafty Surprises to Hide in Plain Sight by Marthe Jocelyn
Create "Little Landmarks" to hide along trails in a local park. Or leave behind art featuring a "Lucky Penny" to brighten someone's day. This little book is full of imaginative (and sneaky) ideas to brighten the world around you.
There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker
Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Alice Walker brings a beautiful, poignant collection of verses that help us see nature, creativity, and our place in the world in a fresh, powerful way.
There’s Nothing to Do! by Dev Petty
Follow along with Frog, who can’t figure out what to do with his day, despite his friends’ inventive suggestions. A celebration of downtime.
The Three Things by Annie Ruygt
Through the eyes of The Nothing, The Everything, and The Something, we discover how different people might see the world differently. Elegant in its simplicity, this book lends itself to big-hearted conversations about compromise, criticism, acceptance, beauty, and even our relationship with "stuff."
The Town of Turtle by Michelle Cuevas
"Sometimes, thought Turtle, the world you dream can come alive all around you." But only after quite a lot of creativity and hard work. The language of this simple story is magical.
Visiting the Art Museum by Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
Ages 4 and up. A charming look at a family’s visit to the museum. See it all — Rousseau, Pollock, mummies and arms and armor — along with the kind of comments you’d truly hear from kids touring a museum. (“I’ve seen enough. Let’s eat lunch.”)
What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
This beautiful book is perfect for people of all ages, all aspirations, and all phases of creative endeavor. How do you nurture an idea? You'll see!
Willow by Denise Brennan-Nelson & Rosemarie Brennan
Creativity can be messy. Mrs. Hawthorn is not a fan of mess. Willow, on the other hand, delights in the wild, wanderings of her imagination. You'll find both Mrs. Hawthorn and Willow have something important to teach us in this one-of-a-kind story.
When I Get Older: The Story behind "Wavin' Flag" by K'NAAN
The Canadian-Somali hip hop artist, who wrote the song Wavin’ Flag that became the theme song of the 2010 World Cup, tells his story of immigrating to Canada to flee the Somali Civil War when he was 13 years old.
Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer
Add whimsy and imagination to your next walk in the park with inspiration from this elegantly told story of questions. “Is fog a river’s blanket?” “Are roots the plant’s toes?” “I wonder, me too.”
Talk about the issue.
Think about the books, movies, photographs, or paintings you’ve experienced. Which ones do you still remember and think about? Why do you think they made such a big impression?
What is your favorite creative activity? (drawing? painting? writing? sculpting? movie making? music?) How can you use this to advocate for a cause you care about?
Art is a powerful way to tell your story (or someone else’s), and such stories are essential for social change. What story might you tell with your art?
Is it sometimes hard to share your art with others? Why or why not?Do you ever find it difficult to share your creations with others? Why or why not?
What is your favorite artistic activity? (drawing? painting? writing? sculpting? movie making? anything?)
Brainstorm a short list of ways your family can use your creative talents to share kindness with others.
What materials would you like to have on hand in case the creative mood strikes? Consider assembling a creativity corner full of craft supplies, recycled goodies, duct tape, and anything else you come up with.
Have you ever felt the same way the character in your story felt? Tell a story about that time.
Imagine if you faced the same challenge as the character in your story? How would you have reacted?
Haven't found what you're looking for?
Visit our Complete Resource List. Or browse our collection of projects that allow you to get Creative for a Cause.
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