Art Workshop for Children

I received an electronic copy from Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Rucci emphasizes creativity in these workshops for kids. The materials are simple to find or purchase and can be combined in innumerable ways.
The emphasis on allowing children to play, explore and create resonates for me. Yes, there is some repetition in materials but reading the rationale behind each workshop explains this clearly as further skill development.
The Introduction includes this quote:
"Creativity is our greatest asset. It lurks within our core, whether you know it or not."
It's critical to remember this and instill this in our toddlers and preschoolers on through our elderly. The activities included in this book can be adapted for any age and any environment.

Art Workshop For Children is a lovely book and not as I'd first expected. With many art books being step by step instructions it is refreshing to see a book which is all about the process of art rather than the end result.

I think this is a great aspect of the book as with most art and craft books projects never turn out how you'd like anyway and they give children very little chance to put their creative mark on it. The projects in this book are very basic and for the most part won't be anything you haven't seen before but the way they are shown through the vibrant photographs and the explanations alongside them are fantastic. I think it's great to see so many alternatives to one craft as this really allows you to consider what will work well for your children and having observations and some small quotes from children are a lovely touch.

The informative pages through the book are fascinating and definitely worth a read, I particularly liked the page about how we talk to children regarding their creations. I have definitely praised their picture incorrectly sometimes (it's hard to tell what it is sometimes and you're only left with a guess!) and knowing to talk about the process rather than try and hazard a guess on what it is is enlightening.

I have really enjoyed reading this book and i love how it shows the importance of the process rather than the end result, in a world where we expect young children to create a perfect replica of what we show them it is great to see a book like this that wants to encourage creativity rather than putting children off it. Even if a painting looks a mess to an adult the child will be proud of it and that's what matters most!

Art Workshop for Children is a beautiful book that will help parents, teachers and families focus on the process of art and not the product. The explanations for the why, what and how are not just well defined but beautifully presented. I immediately ordered the book and can't wait to put it to use in my current home learning environment.

An aesthetically-pleasing collection of art projects for children, Art Worksop for Children is a great addition to any household looking for new art projects. Using recycled materials and everyday art supplies, Rucci and McKenna have compiled a wonderful book of new ideas. Personally, I send my children to a Reggio-inspired preschool, so I loved their connection to the philosophy. This book has definitely inspired me to undertake some new projects with my kids! Ages toddler-older elementary.

What a perfect time to get my hands on Barbara Rucci's book, Art Workshop for Children. While my 7 year old is "in school" for the mornings, my 4-almost-5 year old gets pretty bored while Dad works from the home office and Mama takes care of things around the house. He is going to love this.

I love how detailed the book is for setting up each project/workshop. There are lists & pictures...and this makes my overly-organized heart so very happy. Also, within each workshop, there is practically a script written for you on ways to engage your child mentally and emotionally in the art work they are making. These are Art Class Lesson Plans...and that makes my Teacher Heart so very happy, too.

Within the pages, you will also find essays written by Betsy McKenna, a Reggio-inspired educator. These beautiful pieces help us reflect on such things as our jobs as parents, how to raise creative thinkers, and how to talk to children about their art.

Think you'll run out of ways to use the book once you've finished all the projects? Wrong! At the end of each lesson you will find several variations to keep the artsy fun going. Genius!

I want to send a HUGE Thank You to NetGalley and the Quarto Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful and creative book. I've already ordered a physical copy for myself (which is spiral bound!) and cannot wait to use it with my boys.

“Art Workshop for Children” has many strong points, but I like the beautiful color photos the best! This book serves as a practical yet enjoyable resource for parents, teachers, librarians, or anyone who wants to prepare an art space for children. The book includes lists of materials for each workshop, along with clear instructions for preparing and then conducting the art sessions. The color photos demonstrate the layout of the art space, as well as finished products and ways to display them. The photos of children at work add motion and liveliness to this very thoughtful and useful resource. Instructive and reflective essays interspersed between the workshops help readers to understand the child development concepts underlying the art workshops. Age-appropriate projects help children to develop interest in artistic expression, as well as thinking and teamwork skills and eye-hand coordination. Finally, the pages include quotes from children as they worked on the projects, which add a feeling of “realness” and delight to this resource.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This book is full of wonderful art projects for younger children. The projects are easy to replicate, most need only a few basic materials. I liked the essays about creativity and creative minds in between the individual "workshop" chapters.

This is a gorgeous book filled with amazing pictures and inspirational ideas. Just flipping through this book made me want to go craft right away!

I enjoyed the book. There were great suggestions for working with children. This would be a great addition to any library. There were some activities that even adults would enjoy.

Art Workshop For Children is a wonderful book and that focuses on the art of self expression not the defined recreation of a project. I love that this book encorages young minds to let art talk to them and create with the joy of simply doing art.

This book has an entire section on creating a functional and expressive art space and the ideas for a simple organized and well stocked area is really a perfact place to start.

I truly love the first project is simply set up the supplies and encourage the child to cover the entire page. How fun is that?? They have creative freedom to just do whatever they want. No stress no worries no preconceived notions just a happy flowing mind.

The muffin tin prints are genius I think this is a the funnest art book for young minds I have seen!!
Truly just get it and make joy!!

The photographs are bright enjoyable and well explained. I have never seen so many alternatives to one craft as this book explores and it is wonderful. I really can't say enough other than this really is a must have book for anyone with small children.

I received this book from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry for an honest review.
#ArtWorkshopforChildren
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This book has great projects to do with kids. They are so simple and easy to do and teach. These projects could be done at home, in school or any library event.

This book's aim is "to Foster Original Thinking with more than 25 Process Art Experiences," 'process art' being the work itself rather than any specific end result. Art for art's sake, you might say. The book was smart and fun, with a lot of images to illustrate the text and some of the cutest quotes from the young children who participated in various activities.

The book begins before any children are on the scene, discussing the kind of area that works best for the artistry to take place in, and the kind of supplies and materials that might be needed or useful, including the indispensable art cart!

Next up is the detailing of the 25 or more art projects which include frame paintings, muffin tin prints, cotton swab mini watercolors, self portraits where you paint the kids face and then slap paper on it, peel it off, and see how it looks...I'm just making that up! There's not such thing in this book! It does cover self-portraits though, along with paper bag collage painting, still life with a donut (I am not making that one up!), paint mixing, folder paper art, cardboard box robots, milk carton houses, tree branch painting and a host of others.

The projects don't have a specific end point. They're about the doing, the experience, the learning. Of course there is an end result, but whether or not the result is what was aimed at is far less important than the journey there - working with the paint and materials and enjoying the trip.

This book was fun and educational, and it has some really good advice about process art, and kids just plan having fun in a stimulating and fruitful environment. I commend it.

This was a very cute book that teaches you how to set up an art space for children and has plenty of art projects also. I loved the images in the book as well as all the ideas to help children discover different ways to make art. There is a supply list of basics and shows how to set up each project. There are tips and variations as well as commentary about what the authors heard their own children say while they were making a project. The projects are somewhat geared toward younger children, but could still be fun for many ages. Great book!

First of all, this book is gorgeous. The color photography scattered throughout is inspiring and makes me want to immediately get out art supplies. Art Workshop for Children focuses on process art - the actual process of MAKING art rather than focusing on the OUTCOME of the art project, and that alone, coupled with the fantastic photography, makes this a book I would definitely recommend to any parent or teacher of young children. Featuring numerous prompts to promote creativity, this is a book I'll reference again and again. I cannot recommend this one enough!


I received a digital ARC edition of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Art Workshop for Children is a guide for parents and caregivers who wish to foster a love for art in their young children. The book was filled with workshops that focused on specific projects. The workshops were designed to encourage creativity without limiting instructions or structure. Which is an amazing way to teach art! The projects were simple, straightforward and detailed, but Rucci left them open to interpretation and customization by offering a ‘variations for next time’ section with ways to change up each project.

Art Workshop for Children was a great read. It had a huge variety of projects that utilized a plethora of materials and mediums. The art projects were simple enough that most every parent would feel comfortable teaching and guiding their kids. The essays included, written by Betsy McKenna, were interesting and a nice addition to the book overall. The only negative about starting an art journey is the number of supplies people think they need to run out and purchase. Rucci does try to work around this by encouraging recycling and using what you have. I’m looking forward to making some of these projects with the kiddos in my life!

This book is bold and bright and beautiful. The collection of activities aren’t necessarily brand new or never been seen or done, but is a nice collection of activities to have on hand for parents and teachers alike. Great collection and liked the book parts a lot not just pictures and activities.

This is a beautifully photographed book of children's art projects. Instead of just focusing on making messy paint handprints, the authors go beyond and explore what they call "child-led" art with everyday things around the house. This is the ultimate in rainy day painting inspiration for children. A must-have if you have kids that love playing with color, paint and getting their hands dirty.

A truly beautiful, creative and inspiring book which is full of fantastic ideas for creating, making and exploring with children (and I suspect the adults will find it beneficial to them too!) Fabulous photography and accessible writing.

Very cute book. I'm always looking for new crafts to do with my kids and this book really helped. I like that it shows ways to organize and store your craft supplies. The crafts were fairly easy but nice.

This book is wonderfully organized. It gives any parent the confidence in creating art with their young children. It is a great blend of lessons and tips for the parents and ideas for the children. Her approach to process based art will help children love creating art from a young age and throughout their lives.

I love the authentic approach to having children learn, grow, and create with what is around them. In today’s society we put kids in too many specific marked boxes, with labels and expectations, leaving them limited room for creativity. This Reggio inspired art workshop book is a breath of fresh air to this educator!

'Art Workshop for Children' is filled with awesome art projects for kids! This would be great for summer time or quarantine. I'd never heard of process art before, where the creation process is more important than what is ultimately made. It sounds like this would be a hugely beneficial concept for everyone, children and adults alike. A huge variety of projects are included. What a cool book!

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group/Quarry Books for providing this ARC.

Really looking forward to doing some of these art projects with my youngest child. We have done a couple of the projects and I generally like to follow the creative philosophy presented here. Very useful for small children, but not necessarily as engaging for kids over, say, 6. Great fun! Beautiful photos!

This is an ideal book that can be used to highlight creativity in children. It's ideal for parents, carers and teachers to help facilitate young artists.

There are ideas, thought processes, examples even photos to aid adults.

I chose this book as I would like to encourage my child to be creative and give him a lot of opportunities to do that.
I think it's a great book to use and get ideas from especially now spending so much time at home.

This is great for kids and parents! Super easy tasks and crafts. I loved how the author added in their own kids’ quotes while they were completing the projects. My 3 year went through this with me and loved all of the colors. The directions were easy to follow and the materials were easily accessible and interchangeable.

So many cute and fun ideas to keep kids both creative and busy. It's also a great alternative to the standard paint/crayons on paper. I think that adding more supplies does add more to the end result, both the project and what the kids can get from making it.

Book provided by publisher and Netgalley for honest review. The opinions expressed below are purely my own!

Firstly, I'd like to mention that I am a children's librarian. Second, I'd like to stress how AMAZING this book is and how useful it will be to parents, caregivers, and other librarians who love inspiring creativity within children. Colleagues of mine have been talking about process art and how the focus on making, rather than copying, or a product, is a wonderful way to inspire creativity. If you want ideas that will let your child's imagination go wild, then this is the book for you. I will definitely be recommending my library purchase this book AND will be purchasing a copy for myself.

Lots of great craft ideas to entertain the kids during lockdown! Most materials were pretty easy to find (or have on hand) which was great because we weren’t going to buy supplies during the pandemic.

Art Workshop for Children is a beautifully made book. It’s bright, colourful and filled with great projects, instructions and photos throughout.

I think this book would be an amazing resource for parents and teachers of younger children. I would highly recommend it if you fall in to that category!

It is an interesting guide for parents and teachers into creative world of art. All workshops are simple, easy to do at home and full of joy for children. The books contains a lot of large pictures, so you can choose together with children what to do and in what order. I recommend it to all parents, because these workshops not only boost your child's creativity , but give you and your child time and a great and interesting possibility to connect.
Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the kindly provided ARC, all opinions are mine.

A wonderful exploration of art, with clear explanations of the educational philosophy underpinnings. Parenting advice that is very specifically target towards encouraging the child's creative process is warm and approachable. I could wish for any images of BIPOC children, though. There is no reason for this book to only include images of white children.

This is a wonderful book. If you want to add an art space in your home or at least add some art time in your children’s lives this book is helpful. You might not have a space for an entire workshop, but this book will be helpful when it comes to ideas in organizing an a artful experience for your child. It is very detailed, which is helpful and there are tons of photos making it great for such a book. You are given supply lists and ideas too.

I really enjoyed the different workshops presented in this book. Some are pretty simple and some are more elaborate so you get a good balance. The workshops don't require crazy materials so it looks easy enough to implement in a regular classroom setting. I'm looking forward to trying some of them in my kindergarten classroom next year!

This is a fun book with lots of good ideas for kids of all ages to explore art. Really beautiful pictures and good instructions.

The book is about art being a process for children, where they are allowed to use their creativity. It discusses having a dedicated space (as big as a table or corner of a room, down to just an easel) where art supplies are available for kids. The "workshops" are project suggestions, which list materials, prep, process (sort of instructions or prompts for the kids), observations (questions to ask the kids), and then some have variations for next time. The first nine projects are paint focused on a flat medium. There are 13 additional individual projects that bring in more special materials, extra steps, or a just more complex. Then a chapter on collaboration has 5 projects a group of children can work on together. The final chapter discusses the importance of displaying childrens' art and some ways to do so. There are essays included regarding the Reggio method.
This is a good book of ideas for art time that focus on painting. I think it is appropriate for preschool, kindergarten, and young elementary school children, based on the projects and photos included.
All "workshops" had full color photo examples, and the book included supply lists of items that seemed like things that would be on hand or easily obtainable.
I am giving this four stars because it was so painting focused - I would have liked some drawing projects or sculpting or other methods as well.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

We are all artists


This past few months I've been getting back in to my art thanks to a friend who has inspired me. It's been a long time since I've been this creative. I think the last time was three years ago and I thought it was time to refresh my skills so I've been looking at all sorts of books.

When I was a child my Mum used to get us creative with all sorts of things same as the author introduces this book. Art is not just about creating pictures or sculptures its also about exploring and learning the freedom to discover art in their own way. I think this book is great and perhaps not just for adults getting their children inspired but a good read to help themselves rekindle their own creative genius at the same time or in their own time. Being creative is about exploring and creating and this book is full of how to show encouragement and also to get your child talking about what they are learning and what they want to create. With tons of tips throughout the book it's a good reference guide. I also love how it is filled with so many photographs which enhances it as a go-to guide. I think my favourite activity was making the robot.