Art Books and Lessons for Each Studio Habit of Mind

Teaching the Studio Habits of Mind can be  tricky because these abstract concepts can be challenging for young students to grasp, and they vary in developmental readiness. 

Enter Picture books! They can help by providing concrete examples, visual appeal, and relatable narratives that make these habits more accessible. 

They serve as discussion starters, inspire art projects, and connect emotions to learning, making it easier for students to understand and apply the Studio Habits in their creative work.

Engage and Persist: What If

Book Summary: This book follows an artist who faces challenges but continues to explore and innovate with her art, teaching students the value of persistence and experimentation in their creative process.

5 Questions for Reflection:

What does the character do when she can’t use her usual art materials?

What does the character do when she can't use her usual art materials?

How does this show persistence and creativity in problem-solving?

How does the character feel when her materials are taken away, and what helps her keep going?

What can we learn from her determination to continue creating despite the challenges?

What are some of the different ways the character finds to express herself?

How can trying new methods or ideas help us stay engaged with our own art projects?

Why do you think it’s important for the character to keep creating, even when it’s difficult?

How does this relate to staying committed to our own art, even when we face challenges?

What can we do when we feel like giving up on an art project?

How can we use the story of “What If” to remind ourselves to keep going and explore new possibilities?

5 Art Project Ideas:

Material Substitution Challenge

• Provide students with an unconventional set of materials (e.g., sticks, string, or recycled objects) and ask them to create a piece of art. Encourage them to persist and find creative ways to work with the materials they have, just like the character in the book.

“What If” Art Journals

• Have students create their own “What If” art journals where they explore different “what if” scenarios in their artwork. For example, “What if I couldn’t use paint?” or “What if I could only paint with my left hand?” This activity encourages them to stay engaged and persist through limitations.

Creative Problem-Solving Stations

• Set up different art stations with task cards (e.g., creating without using scissors, drawing with your non-dominant hand, or making art without traditional tools). Ask students to rotate through the stations and persist in finding ways to overcome each challenge.

Art from the Unexpected

• Ask students to bring in one “mistake” or “failed” piece of art (or provide scrap paper with marks or tears) and challenge them to transform it into something new. This activity teaches them to stay engaged with their work and see mistakes as opportunities to persist and create something unexpected.

“What If” Group Project

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group a “what if” scenario (e.g., “What if you could only use materials found outside?”). Ask each group to collaborate and create a piece of art based on their scenario, encouraging them to engage with the project fully and persist through any challenges they encounter.

To see the complete list of books and lesson with links to purchase, please click here.