Aaron Slater’s Big Project Book for Astonishing Artists

There is an artist inside most children, and if such talent is nurtured and encouraged, who knows where it might lead? This book might be just the ticket to opening up youngsters to their inner artists.

It begins with a few pages about Aaron Slater and how he overcame dyslexia and became an illustrator. This is followed by a discussion of the “art treasures” kids might collect in order to do their own art and where they might find such treasures, ways to organize them, and the importance of safety measures. A short discussion of prehistoric art follows, with work pages for youngsters to create their own “cave” art, and how understanding that can inform artists of today.

How can art really change the world? The AIDS quilt is something kids probably don’t know about, but its power should be known to young artists. Studying the art of the great masters can teach young people a great deal about how to create their own art, so that is also included. Every page in this book gives kids a chance to hone their skills. The writing is conversational and the breadth of exercises is wonderful. This is a winner.