By Amy Newbold, Illustrated by Greg Newbold

Buy If Picasso Painted a Snowman on Amazon

This book illustrates the different styles of master artists using a subject that is simple and relatable to kids—a snowman. The book starts by describing how most people draw a snowman—draw 3 circles stacked on top of each other. I read this book to a group of 3 and 4 year olds. They all seemed to follow this description. When we get to the first snowman-Picasso’s, they are surprised.  The snowman did not look like the conventional snowman they are use to seeing, but it was a snowman.

With each turning page, they are introduced to another snowman that looked nothing like the snowman they are use to seeing but it is indeed a snowman. They look for the snowman in J.M.W Turner’s storm and in Van Gogh’s Haystack.  They try to make out the snowman in Piet Mondrian’s geometrical arrangement and Jackson Pollock’s deconstructed snowman. I love the illustrations and how each demonstrate the unique styles of the artist. I wish I was talented like that.

This book is a good way to introduce your children to art and this idea that everyone has their unique way of drawing and painting.  I use this book for art projects with my kid. We discuss the various artist and mimic their styles in our own artwork. We draw pictures using whirly swirly lines like Van Gogh, and we color lots of pages like George Seurat using large Q-tips and paint.

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