Suggested Booklist

Written By Maria Tuttle

This carefully selected collection of stories and picture books introduces young minds to vibrant colors, playful shapes, and the joy of art-making, all while igniting a passion for exploration. We collaborated with the exceptional staff at the Cincinnati Public Library to bring you this diverse and engaging selection, designed to inspire imagination and artistic discovery. Discover art and stories together!

[*indicates books used in workshop]

  • Campoy, Isabel and Theresa Howell. Maybe Something Beautiful. (2016).*

  • Carle, Eric. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse. (2011).*

  • Carle, Eric. Little Cloud. (1996).*

  • Carle, Eric & American Society for Deaf Children. The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Signs: ASL That Babies & Toddlers Can Use. (2025).*

  • Carle, Eric. What’s Your Favorite Color. (2015). 

  • Chung, Arree. Mixed: A Colorful Story. (2018).* 

  • Chung, Arree. Remixed: A Blended Family. (2022).

  • Coppo, Marianna. Ray. (2020).*

  • Dean, Kimberly & James. Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock! (2020).*

  • De Paula, Tomie. The Art Lesson. (1989).* 

  • Dewdney, Anna. Apprediendo con Llama Llama: Colores. (2022).* 

  • Dewdney, Anna. Learning with Llama Llama: Shapes. (2023).*

  • Ehlert, Lois. Color Farm. (1990).*

  • Ehlert, Lois. Leaf Man. (2005).*

  • First Concepts with Fine Artists. Blue & Other Colors with Henri Matisse. (2016).*

  • Fossey, Suzanne. The Life of a Little Plastic Bottle. (2022).

  • Hoban, Tana. Is it red? Is it yellow? Is it blue? (1978). 

  • Jonas, Ann. Color Dance. (2010). 

  • Johnson, Crockett. Harold and the Purple Crayon. (1955).

  • Kyle, Tracy. A Paintbrush for Paco. (2018).*

  • Lionni, Leo. Little Blue and Little Yellow. (1959).*

  • Martin, Bill & John Archambault. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. (2012).*

  • Miller, Tim. Izzy Paints. (2022).* 

  • Miranda, Anne. Tangled. (2019)*

  • Ordóñez, Miguel. Get Together. (2021)*

  • Portis, Antionette. Not a Box. (2007).*

  • Saltzberg, Barney. Beautiful Oops. (2010).* 

  • Saltzberg, Barney. Just a Banana. (2025).* 

  • Saltzberg, Barney. What do you see? A Conversation in Pictures. (2022). 

  • Sonenshine, Randi. The Nest That Wren Built. (2020).

  • Sper, Emily. Follow the Yarn: A Book of Colors. (2016).*

  • Tullet, Herve. Mix It Up. (2014).*

  • Walsh, Ellen Stoll. Mouse Count. (1995).

  • Walsh, Ellen Stoll. Mouse Paint. (1989).* 

  • Walsh, Ellen Stoll. Mouse Shapes. (2007).*

Maria Tuttle
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