Art encourages children to see the world from different perspectives by expanding their imagination. The art world full of colors, shapes, melodies, and patterns offers a playground for children to make their dreams come true and express their feelings. Not only does art turn their learning process into a fun and exciting experience but also it helps them improve their ability of self-expression.

The first steps of art education start with illustrated and colorful books from the preschool stage. Such books, which are both entertaining and educational, also instill in children a sense of aesthetics and intellectual thinking skills at early ages. Today, many books inspire children to love art and explore themselves. These books tell the life stories of globally known artists, inform about their pieces, and entertain while teaching. Let’s explore these “art-themed” books nurturing children’s imagination, uncovering their creativity, and developing their emotional intelligence.

Series of Biographical Stories

The Series of Biographical Stories, written by Aysel Gürmen and accompanied by watercolor illustrations by Saadet Ceylan, is based on the life stories of Aşık Veysel, Cemal Reşit Rey, and Tanburi Cemil Bey. These books delve into the childhoods of Turkish music doyens, addressing in detail the difficulties they experienced throughout their musical journey and the eventual success they achieved.

Please visit the publisher's website for more information about this series published by Pan Yayıncılık.

Series of Katie

Series of “Katie” written by James Mayhew and published in 1989 for the first time introduces children to art and leads them to acquaint themselves with it. The book series both written and illustrated by Mayhew is available in many museums and art galleries such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Uffizi Museum, and the Louvre Museum. In the series, Katie visits museums and finds herself entering and exiting the paintings of famous artists, immersing herself in the lives depicted within the artworks. Readers accompany Katie on her journey throughout her adventures, which begin with visits to paintings by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas.

You may find the Series of “Katie” translated into Turkish by Dilek Erbaş Şeren from Yapı Kredi Yayınları.

Series of Classical Music

The “Fide Series” by Yeni İnsan Yayınevi gives children the opportunity to explore classical music by introducing them to the inspirational lives of three great composers: Mozart, Vivaldi, and Bach. Children can read about Mozart, who could play the piano blindfolded; Vivaldi, who started composing at the age of thirteen; and Bach, who achieved worldwide renown despite being born in a small village in Germany. Through these stories, children also become acquainted with many fundamental terms in classical music.

You can find this book series that take readers on a journey into the fascinating world of classical music from Yeni İnsan Yayınevi’s website.

Mavi’nin Mutluluğu (The Happiness of Mavi)

The book “Mavi’nin Mutluluğu”, written by Simla Sunay and illustrated by Gökçe Akgül, centers around the friendship of two children, Mavi and Bedri Rahmi, who share a passion for painting despite their different social backgrounds. Published by Desen Yayınları, the book takes readers on a blissful journey from Mavi's “monochromatic” world of painting to the “colorful” art life of Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, a versatile artist. Through an entertaining story, readers gain insight into Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu's worldview and are treated to a selection of the artist’s paintings.

“Mavi’nin Mutluluğu”, a comic book inspired by Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu’s life and paintings provides an entertaining reading experience for readers of all ages. For more information about the book, click here.

What's in Museum?

With “What's in Museum?” written by Neslihan Varol and illustrated by Mavisu Demirağ, children can learn about various subjects, including the history of museology, the increasingly diversified types of museums, and the collection housed in Istanbul Modern's renovated building. The book also includes a small glossary of contemporary art terms and drawings of some of the world’s prominent museums. Moreover, there is a blank space at the end of the book, inviting children to create their own exhibitions.

In collaboration with Dinozor Çocuk and Istanbul Modern, “What’s in Museum?” is available here with more information.

Portrait of an Artist

“Portrait of an Artist”, a book series published by Hayalperest Yayınevi, conveys the artistic journeys of worldwide known painters accompanied with their paintings. Thanks to the book written by Lucy Brownridge and translated into Turkish by Ecem Alpsoy, children discover the artists behind some masterpieces. The book series includes the stories of Georgia O'Keeffe known as “the mother of American Modernism”, Vincent Van Gogh who is one of the most famous painters in Western art history, the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo who did not give up painting even in the hardest periods of her life, and French artist Claude Monet who tried to paint the sunlight and sparkling water throughout his life. With the book full of illustrations by Caroline Bonner Müller, Edith Carron, Alice Wietzel, and Sandra Dieckmann, children have the chance to take a close look at and be informed about 10 prominent paintings of artists.

For a closer look at the series of “Portrait of an Artist”, you may visit the publisher's website.

What the Artist Saw

Published by Everest Yayınları in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the book series titled “What the Artist Saw” depicts the world in artists’ eyes for readers of all ages. In the book written by Amy Guglielmo and translated into Turkish by Esin İleri, we witness how Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Louise Bourgeois, Hokusai, Georgia O’Keeffe, Faith Ringgold and Vincent Van Gogh lived and what inspired them to paint.

You may find more information here about the book series, “What the Artist Saw” where you can discover the world through the artists’ eyes.

In Zeid’s World

The art and life of Fahrelnissa Zeid, one of the first representatives of abstract art in Turkey, comes alive for children in the book titled “In Zeid’s World.” Zeid’s colorful world serves as inspiration for children and offers tips for those who wish to follow in her footsteps. Written by Dicle Saltan and edited in collaboration with Istanbul Modern’s Department of Education and Social Projects, the book draws from various sources on Zeid’s life, including biographical works and information from exhibition catalogs. Shedding light on the artist’s sources of inspiration and her creative process, the book presents a captivating and entertaining story about Fahrelnissa Zeid’s lifelong passion for art, tailored for children.

You may find “In Zeid’s World” from Istanbul Modern or the store on the Museum’s website.