Touch the Art: Make Van Gogh's Bed » (BOARD)

Amy Guglielmo is an artist, writer, and teacher. She currently runs her own art school in a Soho loft in New York City, where she lives with her husband. Amy also teaches cooking, runs art and theater camps, and throws fabulous art parties for kids.

Julie Appel is a writer and a lawyer. Julie resides in New York City with her husband and two children, where she is an avid collector of her children’s art.

The "Touch the Art" series is a fresh, funny introduction to fine art for kids.

"Jump inside" the paintings with fun, tactile pages that introduce children to the works of the world's greatest artists and their famous paintings. Each book in the "Touch the Art" series gives kids the chance to tug, snap, lift and pull their way through art history.

Make a big impression with these popular 19th century pieces of art. Tidy-up Van Gogh’s bed. Touch the flowers in Monet’s The Water Lily Pond: Green Harmony. Pull on the tulle tutu of Degas’ Prima Ballerina. Or cuddle the gauzy netting over Berthe Morisot’s The Cradle. Let your fingers do the walking through the Impressionist movement.

Children's Literature

One in the "Touch the Art" board book series, which will expose very young children to famous artists and important periods in art history. The book begins with a view of the artist's bedroom and includes a red blanket that is draped over it. Inside the book there is a painting by Degas titled L'Etoile, and kids can feel the texture of the ballerina's tutu. Also included are several other members or cotemporaries of the Impressionist School. I particularly liked the way this book opened with Van Gogh and closed with his famous painting The Stormy Night. The closing pages, entitled "Artifacts," present information about the paintings and the artists. These books could be used with any age group and in art programs. Teachers could challenge kids to make their own reproductions and to add a tactile element. Others in the series include Brush Mona Lisa's Hair, Feed Matisse's Fish, and Pop Warhol's Top.