Making Art - by Diana Ejaita (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From found objects to sidewalk chalk, from homemade instruments to breakdancing, from building with blocks to molding clay, art is natural and healing. Readers will be encouraged by the invitation to create anything, anywhere, with any materials. Inclusive and expansive, Ejaita portrays a wide cast of characters exploring their own feelings and ideas, accompanied by a poignant yet easily understood text. This deceptively simple and ... composed picture book offers children a sense of what art can be, and the ways in which it adds beauty to our lives"--

Book Synopsis

A celebration of the many ways we make art, spanning mediums, geography, and resources from author-artist Diana Ejaita.

A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book!

Art is for everyone! From found objects to sidewalk chalk, from homemade instruments to breakdancing, from building with blocks to molding clay, art is natural and healing. Readers will be encouraged by the invitation to create anything, anywhere, with any materials. Inclusive and expansive, Ejaita portrays a wide cast of characters exploring their own feelings and ideas, accompanied by a poignant, yet easily understood, text. This deceptively simple and stunningly composed picture book offers children a sense of what art can be, and the ways in which it adds beauty to our lives.

Review Quotes

⭐ "Simply wonderful, and a balm for these troubled times." --Kirkus (STARRED REVIEW)

⭐ ". . . a lovely addition to the shelves of young artists, a fantastic gift for art teachers and a refreshing reminder to us all about the power that art provides." --Bookpage (STARRED REVIEW)

". . . remind[s] young creatives that no matter who they are or where they come from, they have the freedom to share and celebrate their work of art to make an impact on others' lives." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A bracing part of the [book's] message is that making art can be difficult; it can take a lot of time to get an idea and then even more time and patience to make the idea come alive. But the benefits--experiencing joy and even sadness, getting wiser, giving something beautiful to the world--are well worth the effort." --Booklist

A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book

About the Author

Diana Ejaita works as an illustrator and textile designer in Berlin. What sets her illustrations apart is a combination of dramatically contrasting areas of black and white with soft patterns and textures that create images portraying the strength of femininity. Born in Cremona, Nigeria, her aesthetic pays homage to her lineage. "I am mostly into Central African culture; I love its literature, arts, and textile traditions. But as a child of migration and of interracial parents I am very driven by the issues of colonial/post-colonial effects, racial and gender discrimination, and identity research." She lives with her baby/muse, Mathi, in Berlin and Lagos.