The second week of our Art Through the Ages | Toi Puta Noa i Ngā Tau school holiday programme is well underway! To celebrate, we thought we’d put together some pukapuka that your tamariki might enjoy as they discover their inner artist!
Here are some fantastic books from our collection which will help you learn techniques, discover artists, and inspire you to create your own masterpiece. You haven’t missed out on all of our holiday programming yet either, we have another jam-packed week full of artistic events to come! Be sure to check out the event pages linked below for what’s happening at your local library.
A portrait of Leonardo : the life and times of Leonardo da Vinci : a literary picture book / Bixley, Donovan
We would be remiss if we didn’t include this award-winning book by New Zealander Donovan Bixley! This ties in perfectly with our Paint Like Michelangelo event because Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo (who are not only members of the teenage mutant ninja turtles) were also Renaissance painters.
How art works / Hull, Sarah
“What is art? Where do artists get their ideas from? How do artists make pictures look real ? This lively book answers these questions and many more, to explore how art works. It features scores of cartoons and over 65 full-colour reproductions, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Bridget Riley and Damien Hirst. Illustrations: Full colour throughout.” (Catalogue)
A day at the gallery / Gould, Nia
“This quirky and creative search-and-find book takes children, room by room, through a wonderfully illustrated art gallery.” (Catalogue)
How to be an artist / Abadzis, S. Natalie
“Explore your creative side as you discover the artist that lies within. Each of the fun activities included in this book will teach you about a different area of art and design. Learn about the history and theory of art, before getting your hands dirty while creating your very own masterpieces. From mark making to woodwork, and photography to sculpture, there’s a project for every art-aficionado to get stuck into. Covering composition and perspective, illusion and paper engineering, this art activity book for kids has it all.” (Adapted from catalogue)
Modern art explorer : with 30 artworks from the Centre Pompidou / Harman, Alice
“Featuring a diverse range of modern artists and their works, Modern Art Explorer takes young readers on an undercover adventure to discover the stories behind famous works. Featuring Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and many more, this book brings readers the stories behind thirty famous artworks. Modern Art Explorer goes undercover and turns each work of art inside out, providing children with an ability to understand what each piece is all about. Buoyed by award-winning illustrator Serge Bloch’s cheeky and energetic illustrations, this book prompts children to think about how art comes into being and to take a deeper look at the ideas within each work.” (Adapted from catalogue)
The colours of history / Gifford, Clive
“Why did Roman emperors wear purple? When was ‘chrome yellow’ invented? Which colour is made from crushed beetles? What green pigment might be used to build super-fast computers of the future? From black to white, and all the colours in between, every shade has a story to tell. Each colour group is introduced with a double-page spread illustration, followed by illustrated entries exploring the ‘colourful’ history of particular shades. With vivid, thought-provoking illustrations and engaging, bite-sized text.” (Catalogue)
Art and how it works : an introduction to art for children / Kay, Ann
“This enticing introduction to art appreciation for children looks at art history, themes in art, and art techniques – from cave paintings to modern art. Children will learn to step back, think, and look at art in a new way. This fabulous book explores themes in art, including women in art and symbolism in art. Kids will be encouraged to look closely at a painting and understand why and how it was made. By tapping into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths), Art . . . And How it Works helps with the understanding of colour and the materials artists use. The mathematical side of art will be highlighted and kids will learn about patterns and shapes in art. The book looks at the history of art for kids – from prehistoric paintings, Impressionism, abstract art, through to the art of today. It includes biographies of major artists from Fra Angelico to David Hockney. Art . . . And How it Works cuts through the jargon that surrounds the art world and offers a fresh, new, and accessible approach for kids.” (Catalogue)
Remaining events taking place during the second week of the holidays:
More information about each of these events can be found on our original school holiday programme blog post!
- Create a Miniature Masterpiece:
- Wednesday, 4 October 2023, 2 – 3pm — Motu-kairangi| Miramar Library spaces are limited, register online
- Wednesday, 4 October 2023, 2 – 3pm — Ōtari | Wadestown Library spaces are limited, register online
- Friday, 6 October 2023, 10:30 – 11:30am — Te Takapū o Patukawenga | Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library spaces are limited, register online
- Weave a Pocket full of Stars:
- Wednesday, 4 October 2023, 10 – 11am – Raukawa Community Centre, Strathmore Park
- Wednesday, 4 October 2023, 11am – 12pm — Korimako, Ngaio | Cummings Park Library
- Friday 6 October 2023, 11am – 12pm — Te Awa-a-Taia | Kilbirnie Library
- Paint Like Michelangelo:
- Thursday, 5 October 2023, 2 – 3pm — Motu-kairangi | Miramar Library spaces are limited, register online
- Festival of Ultrawild Design:
- Wednesday, 4 October 2023, 2 – 3pm — Korimako, Ngaio | Cummings Park Library spaces are limited, register online
- Thursday, 5 October 2023, 3 – 4pm — Omārōrō | Newtown Library spaces are limited, register online
- Friday, 6 October 2023, 2 – 3pm — Waitohi | Johnsonville Library spaces are limited, register online
- Saturday, 7 October 2023, 10:30 – 11:30am — Te Takapū o Patukawenga | Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library spaces are limited, register online
- Sunday, 8 October 2023, 2:30 – 3:30pm — Te Awe Library spaces are limited, register online
- Framed: Make a Popsicle Stick Frame:
- Wednesday, 4 October 2023, 11am – 12pm — Tapu Te Ranga | Island Bay Library
- That Suspicious Sculpture: an Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons
- Wednesday, 4 October 2023, 1 – 4pm — Te Awa-a-Taia | Kilbirnie Library spaces are limited, register online
- LEGO® Creations – The Art of Architecture
- Friday, 6 October 2023, 2 – 3pm— Moe-rā | Brooklyn Library
- Saturday, 7 October 2023, 2 – 3pm — Te Awe Library
- Playdough sculpture spectactular:
- Thursday, 5 October 2023, 2:30 – 3:30pm — Te Awe Library spaces are limited, register online
- Whānau films:
- Friday, 6 October 2023, 2 – 3pm — Ōtari | Wadestown Library
- Friday, 6 October 2023, 2:30 – 4pm — Te Awe Library