MANAGING THE ART ROOM

Julia L. Hovanec

Ever since I can remember, I have had a passion and appreciation for picture books. I can still recall reading The Color Kittens, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen, repeatedly. I also relished the images and words in The Bedtime Book of 365 Stories, written by Kathryn Jackson and illustrated by Richard Scarry. I would stare at the cover of this particular book for long periods. It represented the infinite possibilities that all books contain, especially those with pictures.

When my three children were young, my infatuation with picture books was reignited. I noticed their faces light up as they made connections between the pictures and what I was reading. I witnessed firsthand the influence that picture books have on young children’s interest and inquisitiveness.

Booksart Kits
I had the idea as an art teacher to volunteer at my son’s school and read a picture book, then create an art project that extends the book’s message. I set to work and delighted in making “Booksart” kits. Itʼs a name thatʼs special to me because my mother came up with it. I shared the kits with my son’s class, and since then, I’ve been known as the “Book Lady.” The visual art lessons started with a book as the hook and taught students about art and life.

Picture books make perfect hooks and, when coupled with a contemporary artist, have the potential to teach learners young and old what it means to be human.

I have fond memories of students painting the wind, inspired by Painting the Wind, written by Patricia and Emily MacLachlan and illustrated by Katy Schneider. For another lesson, I read a book called Scranimals, with poems by Jack Prelutsky and pictures by Peter Sis. After completing some animal math, students created their own scranimals.

Another Booksart lesson that was a huge hit was a lesson I developed based on When Pigasso Met Mootise by Nina Laden. Students designed their own colorful houses inspired by the book. We combined the finished artworks to create a friendly neighborhood.

Building on Booksart
About ten years ago, I expanded my audience all the way up to college students. I also added contemporary artist connections to each lesson because I feel it is important for students of all ages to understand that art is being made all over the world today by many fascinating and diverse artists. I continually update these lessons to make sure they reflect what is currently happening in the world.

And that’s how I use picture books as a springboard for a visual art project that connects to contemporary artists. Picture books are chock-full of universal truths and metaphors. They make perfect hooks and, when coupled with a contemporary artist, have the potential to teach learners young and old what it means to be human while reinforcing other interdisciplinary concepts and techniques.

Editor’s note: SchoolArts will be sharing Early Childhood Booksart lessons throughout the school year, starting with this issue.

Julia L. Hovanec is an associate professor of art education at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. hovanec@kutztown.edu