Anywhere Artist: A Joyful Picture Book for Kids (Ages 4-7) about Finding Art in Nature and Unleashing Imagination

by Nikki Slade Robinson

"I don't need paint or paper. I can make art anywhere. My imagination is all I need." This appealing book inspires kids to create their own anywhere art!
 
In spare, delightful text and illustrations, an exuberant young artist looks deeply at the world around her and make art from found objects. This sprightly book celebrates creativity and will inspire readers to find art all around them, unleash their imaginations, and invent their own artistic creations.
 
An ideal book for young artists and nature-lovers in search of outdoor activities.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Nature, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 20, 2018

About the author

Nikola Slade Robinson, generally known as Nikki Slade Robinson, is a New Zealand children’s picture book writer and illustrator. Her books have been widely reviewed and shortlisted for a number of awards.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways, even better than The Dot, as it gives concrete examples of a variety of different 'works of art' (including seeing shapes in the clouds which I, personally, wouldn't count). I like that this is for all ages... would even make a nice gift for a child heading off to high school. I don't like that the creations are often so representative, as I personally prefer abstract art with found objects (usually). I think maybe the thing that I'm not loving is that the message is watered down because of the myriad examples and universal appeal. Peter H. Reynolds had a bit of an actual plot, and a tightly focused message.

Still, I do recommend both!

Just be careful when exploring for driftwood, leaves, etc. Ecosystems and habitats are interdependent, and the rule not to disturb anything in wild parks is an important one. Foraging should be done only where people are already a significant presence.

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text sounds nice and the mixed-media illustrations are creative and imaginative. A nice book to accompany an outdoor storytime. Looking forward to spring!

[Aliza Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don't need paper and paint to be an artist. You need imagination, found objects, and nature! This reminds me of artist Mary Nohl (In Mary's Garden) and Debbie Ohi's art.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Appreciate the creativity in creating art from found objects, mostly objects in nature (I concur with Cheryl's review, though, to make sure you aren't disturbing the ecosystem with what you are taking/using) and how nature can inspire art. I thought it was especially neat that the part with the little girl imagining the art in the clouds shows you can make art even within your own mind and imagination, without needing to actually physically "make" anything tangible.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the sentiment behind this book: anyone can be an artist, and you can create art out of anything, but I wasn't crazy about the author's illustrations.

[Christine Turner]

ATA Storytime Kit -- Art

Personal note: This book is toddler friendly; it also works well for pre-school.

"I don't need paint or paper. I can make art anywhere. My imagination is all I need."
In spare, delightful text and illustrations, an exuberant artist makes art from found objects and the world around her. This sprightly picture book celebrates creativity and will inspire readers to find art all around them, unleash their imaginations, and make their own artistic creations.

Subject: Artists -- Juvenile fiction.
Nature craft -- Juvenile fiction.
Creative ability -- Juvenile fiction.
Imagination -- Juvenile fiction.
Nature stories -- Juvenile fiction.

Notes
Nikki Slade Robinson 's picture books have won many awards and accolades in her home country of New Zealand. She has illustrated more than sixty children's books, several of which she has also written, including her U.S. debut Muddle & Mo . Anywhere Artist is her second book to be published in North America.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of an unstoppable young artist who can create anywhere with anything. It also celebrates the power of imagination making up for any lack of commercially manufactured art supplies. This picture book is very similar to What If... but less extensive.

Any child with artistic tendencies will enjoy this book, especially if s/he likes to do collages with natural materials.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple enough book to use at the end of storytime, but not outrageously engaging. I do love the theme of the story. My favorite part is using your imagination to find pictures in the clouds, with the whole sky your canvas. (this inspired me to also use It Looked Like Spilt Milk as a flannel board). The kids particularly enjoyed the monster created from leaves and sticks.

[Christy Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever book that encourages creativity as the main character in this children's picture book moves from cloud watching to seashell and driftwood creations to leaf and moss and stone picture making to mud and puddle sculpted creations. The message is clear without hitting you over the head; unleash the imaginative spirit and see the possibility for art making everywhere you are. I found this original, simple, short and approachable.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book promoted art everywhere, using resources from all around us. It has a heavy theme in creativity and imagination. I used it in my Art/Colors storytime this week and my kids were enraptured.

For: readers looking for a book on art, artists, or imagination.

Red flags: As an anywhere artist, the main character plays in the mud and gets messy, which some readers may not enjoy or may not want to promote.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to share with your art teachers! This story showcases a young girl who claims to be an anywhere artist meaning she makes art anywhere she is with whatever she finds! Her art projects are creative and beautiful. The text is simply and the illustrations are fabulous! Highly recommend!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl creates found nature art pieces. Using bits and pieces she finds on the ground she creates pieces of art to leave in nature. It also includes dancing in the rain and cloud watching.

Tags: Artists -- Nature craft -- Creative ability -- Imagination -- Nature stories --

[Dannaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this for an art themed summer reading story time. I liked this one because it emphasized that you can be creative even without art supplies. It focused on the power of imagination and making art projects from the materials around you, whether you're in the forest, at the beach, or simply watching the clouds.

[Ember Air · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable little story about letting your imagination free, no matter what the supplies. I appreciated the levels of the artwork in this book as well; the textures really make you think you should be able to feel them.

[Kalynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the something out of nothing meets creativity and invention is this art based book of using the tools around you to create what you envision or what you need to solve your problem. It is a good connection to other content areas.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book on how you can be an artist anywhere, make art from anything and anywhere. The pictures are a mix of real photographs and illustrations. I liked how the girl in the book made art from random stuff she found and turned it into something. Would be perfect for any art classroom!

[Carolyn Betz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this book as part of my senior project at MVNU--creating an accessible Storybook Trail. Really love the colorful pictures and imaginative vocabulary. I worked with an ASL interpreter to create videos with ASL interpretation of each page of the book. It was a lot of fun!

[Heydi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a lovely gem. It is simple and beautiful and I want to to crawl into it. I love this and hope that Nikki will publish many more books like this.

Perfect for any creative storytime.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational.

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art can be made anywhere, any time with any thing.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book with a short sentence per page about how art can happen anywhere!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and inspiring.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely concept. Good read aloud prior to starting an art project.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not life changing but I like books that put real photos into illustrated art. It's always interesting.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. This book is sure to inspire kids to go make art out of something...anything!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the combination of realism and drawings in the illustrations to express that anything can be art. A very strong message would be great to connect with What if by Berger and Curato.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet book about being an artist with supplies found in nature.

[Stacey Socholotuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually fun and creative with a message of open-mindedness.

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art is a state of mind.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fuck the system! Make art anywhere!