Art Explorers
Art Explorers on Demand
Can't make it in to see us? Children can still have fun with us virtually with our storytime videos covering a theme. Each theme will also contain activities and a suggested reading list. Children will also be able to explore our virtual exhibitions related to the theme.
Storytime Featured Stories
Maybe something beautiful: how art transformed a neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell; illustrated by Rafael López.
The artist who painted a blue horse by Eric Carle.
Featured Exhibition
Explore our online exhibition Confronting Greatness: A Celebration of Women Artists
Suggested Activity
10 Easy Painting Ideas for Kids
Supplies needed:
- White paper
- Plastic fork
- Acrylic paint
- Bubble wrap
- Pencil
Additional suggested readings
- Art by Patrick McDonnell.
- Dog loves drawing by Louise Yates.
- Anywhere artist by Nikki Slade Robinson.
- I ain't gonna paint no more! by Karen Beaumont; illustrated by David Catrow.
Storytime Featured Stories
I'm happy-sad today: making sense of mixed-together feelings / Lory Britain; illustrated by Matthew Rivera. Author: Britain, Lory, author. Publication Date: 2019 ISBN: 9781631983054
How do dinosaurs say I'm mad? / Jane Yolen; illustrated by Mark Teague.
Author: Yolen, Jane. Publication Date: 2013 ISBN: 9780545143158
Featured Exhibition
Explore our online exhibition Miserere: Plea for Mercy
Suggested Activity
Supplies needed:
- white paper
- pencil or black marker
- crayons
- glue
- scissors
Additional suggested readings
Little Mole finds hope / by Glenys Nellist ; illustrated by Sally Garland.
Author: Nellist, Glenys, 1959- author. Publication Date: 2020 ISBN: 9781506448749
Breathing makes it better: a book for sad days, mad days, glad days, and all the feelings in-between / Christopher Willard and Wendy O'Leary ; illustrated by Alea Marley.
Author: Willard, Christopher (Psychologist), author. Publication Date: 2019 ISBN: 9781611804690
Crying is like the rain : a story of mindfulness and feelings / Heather Hawk Feinberg ; illustrated by Chamisa Kellogg.
Author: Feinberg, Heather Hawk, 1975- author. Publication Date: 2020 ISBN: 9780884487234
What could that be? / by Reza Dalvand ; [English translation by Baobab Books].
Author: Dalvand, Reza, 1989- author, illustrator. Publication Date: 2020 ISBN: 9781338530193
Storytime Featured Stories
Mole music / written and illustrated by David McPhail.
Publication Date: 1999 | ISBN:9780805067668
I got the rhythm / Connie Schofield-Morrison; illustrated by Frank Morrison.
Publication Date: 2014 | ISBN: 9781619631786
Featured Exhibition
Explore our online exhibition Sacred Songs: Antiphonals & Illuminations
Suggested Activity
Supplies needed:
- Duct tape
- Construction paper
- Recycled paper towel roll
- Aluminum foil
- Choose one corn kernels, rice or small noodles / or mix (optional)
Supplies needed:
- Construction paper or light cardstock
- Glue stick
- Popsicle stick
- Rice
- Decorative tape (optional)
Additional suggested readings
The Music of Life / Louis Thomas. Publication Date: 2020 | ISBN: 9780374303150
Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa make music / by Michael Genhart; illustrated by Priscilla Burris. Publication Date: 2020 | ISBN: 9781433830747
Music is... / words, sounds & pictures by Stephen T Johnson. Publication Date: 2020 | ISBN: 9781416999508
My family plays music / by Judy Cox; illustrated by Elbrite Brown. Publication Date: 2018 | ISBN: 9780823440399
Music! / Carol Thompson. Publication Date: 2017 | ISBN: 9781846439612
Storytime Featured Stories
Mouseterpiece: A mouse-sized guide to modern art by Jane Breskin Zalben
Suggested Activity
We suggest that you spend a few minutes reviewing any of the You Tube videos listed below, before you start a project. Children can create their own exhibition and hang completed projects in their rooms.
Easy Paper Mouse Craft for Kids
Easy Paper Mouse Puppet Craft DIY - Advanced Mouse
Easy Handprint Turkey Craft
Instructions as follows:
(1) Lay right or left hand flat on the surface of the paper and spread fingers apart.
(2) Draw an outline of the child's hand.
(3) The thumb will serve as the turkey's head and neck. Draw eye, headdress, etc.
(4) Draw straight lines from the bottom of the turkey to form legs and feet.
(5) Color the turkey's headdress and feathers.
Supplies needed:
- Construction paper or light cardstock
- Glue
- Pencils
- Children's safety scissors
- Crayons
Additional suggested readings
Anna at the Art Museum by Hazel Hutchins & Gail Herbert, illustrated by Lil Crump
Arlo’s ARTrageous Adventure by David LaRochelle
Booming Bella by Carol Ann Williams
Imagine by Raul Colon
Matthew’s Dream by Leo Lionni
Mouseterpiece: A mouse-sized guide to modern art by Jane Breskin Zalben
Seen Art? By Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
Simon at the Art Museum by Christina Soontornvat
You Can’t Take a Balloon into the National Art Gallery by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, illustrated by Robin Glasser
Storytime Featured Stories
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (Dragonfly Books), by Marjorie Priceman (Author)
Featured Exhibition
Explore our online exhibition Travel Posters and the World Wars
Suggested Activity
LET'S MAKE A TRAVEL POSTER - WELCOME TO OHIO
Children can create a travel poster welcoming visitors to Ohio (or any destination of their choice).
We suggest that you spend a few minutes reviewing any of the YouTube Videos listed below before
you get started with the collage project:
Fall Collage Kids Craft (9:49 mins)
Making a Landscape Collage (3:40 mins)
How to Create a Collage for Kids 2:07
Supplies:
White sheet of paper or cardboard (foundation for poster)
Construction Paper
Tissue Paper
Glue
Images from old magazines (optional)
Plastic safety scissors (optional)
Last step take a photo of your finished collage and post it on social media with #muamfromhome and #muamartexplorers
Additional suggested readings
Crêpes by Suzette by Monica Wellington
Emma’s Turtle by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Marsha Winborn
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer
This is Ireland by Miroslav Sasek
This is Paris by Miroslav Sasek
This is Rome by Miroslav Sasek
A Walk in London by Salvatore Rubbino
Storytime Featured Stories
Ray By Marianna Coppo
Featured Exhibition
Explore our online exhibition Chasing Light
Suggested Activity
Additional suggested readings
The Dark and the Light by Kerstin Hau, illustrated by Julie Völk
Day Light, Night Light by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
Fight the Night by Tomie DePaola
Light by Donald Crews
Light by Jane Breskin Zalben
My Light by Molly Bang
Night Light by Nicholas Blechman
Oscar and the Moth: A book about light and dark by Geoff Waring