The storytime theme of art and colors can be applied to any summer reading theme, and can fit for young toddlers and older kids; especially if the hands on projects are fun!  Many kids are intimidated at having to draw something, so allow art that is really open-ended.  This can include collage art, abstract art using markers or watercolors, or color matching games. Remember, it's the process, not the product! If you have a space outside the library, like a patio, you can even try finger-painting this summer!

Fox, Mem. WHERE IS THE GREEN SHEEP.
  In this joyful, brief story, the opposites and rhymes hold the attention of the youngest listeners.

Beaumont, Karen. I AIN'T GONNA PAINT NO MORE.
  Exploding with energy, a little girl paints every space in her house; told to the tune of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More."

Walsh, Ellen Stoll. MOUSE PAINT.
  Three white mice find a yellow, red, and blue jar of paint and mix the colors; also available as a Big Book.

Crews, Donald. FREIGHT TRAIN.
  Very simple book about colors, using train cars as examples.

Pinkwater, Manus Daniel. BEAR'S PICTURE
  Two "fine, proper gentlemen" tell a bear he cannot paint a picture, but the bear proves them wrong.

Cabrera, Jane. CAT'S COLORS.
  A cat describes ten colors and tells which is his favorite.

Barry, Frances. DUCKIE'S RAINBOW.
  With rainbow-shaped pages, this simple story shows readers the colors of the rainbow.

Emberley, Ed. GO AWAY BIG GREEN MONSTER.
  Die-cut pages help kids send away monsters and learn their colors.

Martin, Bill Jr. BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR.
  The classic repetition story that uses animals to teach colors.

Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. LEMONS ARE NOT RED.
   Older kids will predict what is in each picture, with colors that may surprise you.

Ehlert, Lois. PLANTING A RAINBOW.
  Flowers demonstrate the colors.

Reynolds, Peter. THE DOT.
   Vashti is certain she is no good at art, until a kind teacher encourages her.

dePaola, Tomie. THE ART LESSON.
  A young boy is discouraged when an old fashioned art teacher demands art be done just her way.

Hubbard, Patricia. MY CRAYONS TALK.
  A very brief text and child-like crayon drawings make this perfect for toddler storytime.

Fontes, Justine. BLACK MEETS WHITE.
  Die-cuts, flaps, and popups show the joys of the under-represented colors of black, white, and gray.

Waddell, Martin. ALICE THE ARTIST
  Alice paints a picture, but friends drop by and tell her to add things, until she decides to do it her own way.

Websites with arts and crafts ideas, songs, and more:

Penny Peck,
San Leandro Public Library
May, 2006