An Art Therapist’s 5 Favorite Books to Boost Your Child’s Creativity.
Books are a great way to help kids understand so many concepts. As a therapist working with kids, I provide Art therapy in San Diego. I often read books to children in sessions and like books that help spark a child’s imagination and encourage creative problem-solving.
At its core, creativity is about looking at things differently. Taking two unrelated things and making connections. It's “out-of-the-box” thinking. In this blog, I give my take on five of my favorite books that help with aspects of creativity.
Disclaimer: Tami Earnhart, LMFT is not affiliated with any of the following books or authors.
Helping kids deal with fear of failure.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
The main character is stuck in the thought, “I can’t”, or perhaps more aptly, “I can’t do something well, so why try?”. Specifically, in this story, the character thinks they can’t draw.
Kids, and adults, for that matter, with anxiety often cannot tolerate the feelings that come up around trying something new. The feelings are connected with thoughts such as, “What if I perform poorly or fail?” “What will others think?”
The beautiful thing in this book is how the teacher doesn’t argue with the child, but rather accepts what the child offers, and cheers the effort even though it is the smallest of effort. The positive encouragement spurs the child on, and they move past the avoidance into active exploration.
Helping kids see mistakes in a new way.
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
On the back of this book is written “Set your imagination free”. The story and illustration progress together from one simple mistake. The story and images knit together into a more and more complex imaginative scene that pulls you inside a wonderful world full of details. I took away that our transformed mistakes become the fabric of who we are.
Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
As an Art Therapist and Artist, I love the images in this book. There aren’t a lot of words, so many people think this book is just for beginning readers. However, I have found that the visual images created in this book communicate a profound message.
I have read this book with kids as old as 9, and I watched the gears turning in their creative minds with how a mistake can pose an opportunity for something else.
Helping kids to persevere.
A Thousand No’s: A growth mindset story of grit, resilience, and creativity. By DJ Corchin and Dan Dougherty
The title of this book sums it up in so many ways. Oftentimes, creative kids are full of ideas because they are bright and live in their heads. Sometimes, those around that creative child will not see the gift that “out-of-the-box” thinking truly is.
So, it can be easy for creative kids to get discouraged when others don’t get their ideas or worse, just flat out tell them no. This book reflects on not only persevering when you believe in an idea but also the importance of working with others to achieve that idea.
Helping kids to embrace what they do well.
Aaron Slater, Illustrator _ by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts
This is a newer book, published in 2021. It has beautiful illustrations to match the beautiful story about a boy trying to fit in with others and meet expectations at school. His teacher highlights his strengths, and he feels brave enough to be himself.
As an Art Therapist, I’ll leave you with a quote from this book that reflects my hopes in Art Therapy, especially when I’m working with children. “Like the mightiest flames that banish the dark, hope grows in the soul from the tiniest spark. His art makes the difference. His art leads the way and helps him discover what he wants to say”.
Free consultation for Art Therapy in San Diego.
My name is Tami, and I am a Therapist in San Marcos, CA, credentialed to provide Art Therapy online and in person. Through facilitating Art Therapy, I empower adults and children to use creativity to solve problems, express themselves more authentically, and see that mistakes can be opportunities.
If you’re ready to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation about Art Therapy in San Diego, click the button below.
To learn more about the Art Therapy I provide, please visit my Art Therapy San Diego page.
I encourage anyone interested in participating in Art Therapy to seek out an art therapist credentialed through the Art Therapy Credential Board (ATCB). As a national credentialing board, the ATCB ensures the educational and professional standards needed to be a qualified art therapist are met and maintained. This is essential in any mental health field to provide an ethical standard of care and improve treatment outcomes.