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I Am an Artist (Books for Kids, Art for Kids, Art Book)

Illustrated by Rose Blake
Published by David Zwirner Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

LIST PRICE $19.95

PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER
Ships on or around May 7, 2024

About The Book

“I spend every day thinking about the paintings and sculptures I will be creating, which fills my life with great joy. Art is an important means of identifying human existence and can send a wonderful message to the world. I believe that artists will create a new world and hope that everyone will share their own messages with the world.” —Yayoi Kusama, artist

“This book has not only entertained but has also encouraged my students to express themselves in new and powerful ways.” —Raleigh Young, Kindergarten Teacher at Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA

“I wish I had this book when I was a youngster, to help me understand just how many ways you could approach being an artist, and all the tools you can use to make your work.” —Sharna Jackson, Author of Black Artists Shaping the World

A follow-up book to the popular Making a Great Exhibition, I Am an Artist offers young readers exciting insights into the many ways artists work and the reasons why they make art.

Geared to children ages 4 to 8, but with appeal for all ages, this colorful and playful book asks: Who are artists? Why do they make art? What materials do they use? What tools do they work with? What forms do their artworks take?

Structured around a tour of an artists’ studio complex, the book introduces readers to street artists, ceramicists, conceptual artists, textile artists, photographers, glassblowers, and more! The artists share their working spaces and their techniques while explaining why they make art.

Rose and Doro’s first publication, Making a Great Exhibition, published in 2021, was acclaimed by The New York Times for “demystifying the art world and making it accessible to budding young artists,” and lauded by the renowned author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers, who wrote, “If this book helps shed light to just one kid that [art] is a viable career option, then it has done its job, as art is indescribably important!”

Now Rose and Doro have teamed up for a second time to bring their experiences with and love for the world of art to a young audience.

About The Author

Doro Globus is a writer, editor, and publisher specializing in creative culture, with a focus on arts publishing. Her first book, Making a Great Exhibition, is a fun inside look at the life of an artwork, from studio to exhibition. A passionate advocate for sharing creativity, Globus has dedicated her career to telling stories of artists and writers. She is Associate Publisher of David Zwirner Books and has worked in arts publishing for nearly twenty years. She has written about artists and art historians including Dawn Ades, Michael Bracewell, Fred Wilson, and Bridget Riley. 

About The Illustrator

Rose Blake is an illustrator and artist working in London. Her book A History of Pictures for Children: From Cave Paintings to Computer Drawings (2018), written by David Hockney and Martin Gayford, won the New Horizons award at the 2019 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. She has worked with a wide range of clients, including The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, BBC, Google, Soho House, The Telegraph, The Sunday Times, Transport for London, and Disney

Product Details

  • Publisher: David Zwirner Books (May 7, 2024)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781644231210

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Raves and Reviews

“I spend every day thinking about the paintings and sculptures I will be creating, which fills my life with great joy. Art is an important means of identifying human existence and can send a wonderful message to the world. I believe that artists will create a new world and hope that everyone will share their own messages with the world.” —Yayoi Kusama, artist

"I Am an Artist really shows what a glass studio looks like. I started blowing glass 60 years ago, and it's still as exciting, thrilling and creative when you blow a bubble into molten glass—you can make something that no one has ever seen before."
—Dale Chihuly, artist

A warm, engaging, accessible, and frankly excellent book for children and adults alike. The artists studio complex that Kit and Viola visits is a creative home to myriad artists who succinctly describe their practice, while also telling us about themselves, making them feel real. By opening their artists studios, I Am and Artist will open children's minds to how and why artists work.
—Sharna Jackson, Author of Black Artists Shaping the World

Another triumph by Doro Globus and illustrator Rose Blake; in the most joyous and effortless fashion, the duo lifts the veil on the art world and welcomes children to explore the many types of artists that exist. Through richly hued vignettes, the reader connects with a different artist and their studio practice—but not just a painter or a sculptor. Globus profiles a ceramicist, textile artist, land artist, and so many more, introducing new terms and a world of creative possibilities for young minds. Not only does each artist describe how they work, each page is littered with the most delightful visual breadcrumbs—real artist materials strewn about studios: Measuring squares, pinecones, giant tweezers, and even a drone! This book is a must for every budding artist.
—Genevieve Martin, Executive Director, Children’s Museum of the Arts

"This delightful book has become a cherished favorite in my kindergarten class, evoking excitement and empowerment among my students. One child even exclaimed, ""Hey, that's what my dad does!"" The story's relatability sparked a lively discussion about the joy of creating art and the diverse world of artists. Some kids enthusiastically expressed a desire to be the kind of artist who works where it is ""hot, smelly and dangerous!"" The stylish, colorful, and whimsical illustrations captivated their attention, making the exploration of familiar and aspirational characters even more engaging. This book has not only entertained but has also encouraged my students to express themselves in new and powerful ways. I only wish someone had read it to me when I was a child."
—Raleigh Young, Kindergarten Teacher at Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA

It is so important for kids to learn about all of the possibilities of art. As an art teacher, I always strive to show my students that there are so many different types of artists in the world—and that there are countless ways to create art. This book captures these ideas beautifully and will help expand a child’s idea of what art can be. Every page is filled with perspectives to place students of all ages on the path of a creative journey. This book is a wonderful addition to the library in any art room or creative space. Teachers, make space on your shelves for this book!
—Julia Mack Munar, Visual Arts Teacher, PS8 Brooklyn

"A wonderful portrayal of the diverse art world young minds should have access to. It will most certainly help children, and young adults alike, to identify their strengths and tackle some of the misconceptions about the subject that traditional education settings often promote. The multi-disciplinary aspect of the book makes it inclusive, exciting, and thoughtful. Rose Blake’s insightful illustrations act as an agent for change and support art and design educators in their quest to protect the role of the subject in the curriculum."
—Andra Raduca, Head of Art and Design at Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School, London

"Have you ever thought about how many things are around us that we don't truly notice?" I love this question that is posed by Doro Globus and Rose Blake's new book, I Am An Artist. The thoughtful responses from a myriad of artists within its pages not only showcase their unique perspectives and tools, but also underscore the empowering notion that "We all have our own ways of seeing." This delightful book takes its readers on an inspiring journey, especially for young minds, unveiling how artists open doors to fresh perspectives. It beautifully illustrates the idea that artistic potential resides within us all, and encourages a broader understanding of creativity and embracing diverse viewpoints.
—Tamar Benzikry, Director of Learning and Engagement, Frye Art Museum and Principal, Art and Purpose

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Doro Globus

More books from this illustrator: Rose Blake

More books in this series: How Art Works