Embracing art is a great way to expand our children’s horizons. The arts are an important part of mental stimulation. Participating in the arts or just appreciating them activates different parts of the brain from other forms of education interaction, and it’s really quite beautiful. My oldest daughter is an artist, and she’s always buried in either her sketch pad or an art book. She’s been taking a lot of art courses, so I thought a few books from DK Canada would encourage her love of art and make embracing art a continued part of her daily life.

Photo taken by Ainsley Schuck Buy it here: http://amzn.to/2h5pafE
Embracing Art with Great Books from DK Canada
If you’ve read my blog at all, you know that DK Canada is one of my favorite book companies. Their absolutely enormous line of educational books run the subject gamut. From comic book art and history to the arts to undersea life and more, DK Canada has just about anything to interest kids or adults. This time around I got two books on art and one book on optical illusions. I know my daughter will love all three, and the optical illusion book is just fun for everyone!
The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia
If you want to make it easy to get your kids excited about embracing art, this book is the one for you. It’s a visual history of the arts, tracing the development of painting from cave drawings to current forms, as well as information on music, photography, dance, and more. Here’s what DK Canada has to say about the book.
The most visual and comprehensive encyclopedia for children that charts the evolution of the world’s greatest cultural achievements in painting, music, photography, and dance, supporting the arts in STEAM education.
Kids can trace the development of painting, from prehistoric cave drawings to the Mona Lisa to contemporary street art; read the story of music, from classical and jazz to rock and roll; find out about photography, from the early pinhole camera to digital imagery; and put on their dancing shoes for some ballroom, ballet, modern dance, and more. Stunning full-page images bring each subject to life, and clear text and annotations provide comprehensive, age-appropriate coverage.
Artists: Their Lives and Works
This is one my daughter is sure to adore. This book explores the vision and techniques of over 80 great artists from the Early Renaissance to present day. It’s a book any budding artist will devour. My oldest is getting this one for Christmas. It should be perfect timing since she’s starting grade eleven art in February.
What DK Canada has to say about the book.
Exploring the vision and techniques of the greatest painters and sculptors throughout history, Artists tells the fascinating stories behind each masterpiece, including the historical context in which each artist worked, their influences, creative development, friendships, loves, and rivalries. From Donatello to Dali and Giotto to Giacometti, Artists showcases key examples of work by each artist as well as images of them at work in their studios.
Optical Illusions
While not officially about embracing art, everyone enjoys optical illusions. And when you think about it, there IS an art to optical illusions. I mean, it takes some major thought and visual prowess to make them. Everyone in my house loves optical illusions, so I knew this was a book I had to get. Here’s what DK Canada says about the book.
With the dynamic interactive Optical Illusions, each time readers turn the page, lift the flaps, or pull the tabs, they’ll be confronted with an even more amazing optical illusion!This guide to the world of eye-tricks is fun for the entire family-providing new and gasp-inducing moments on each page. Along with the illusions, which include a spinning thaumatrope, a stereoscope, and an entrancing 3D sculpture that “follows” you around the room, readers will welcome learning the latest theories about why illusions fool us.
Embracing Art with Books that Inspire Imagination
Although my oldest is the biggest artist in the family, my younger daughter also enjoys drawing and creating things. These books will be enjoyed by everyone in our home. Remember, embracing art doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be an artist. It just means you’ll learn to appreciate the beauty of art and the skill and vision it takes to create it. If you want to encourage embracing art in your family, these books are a great place to start. For even more books that make embracing art easy – and for books on many other subjects – head over to DK Canada today.
For purposes of this post I received product. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. DK Canada has also offered one book for one lucky reader too. Follow the instructions for a chance to win. This post also contains some affiliate links.
Darlene Schuller says
I want to win this for my 11 year old. She has a very high interest in Art as does my husband! Me, not so much but I think we’d all enjoy this beautiful set.
Paula says
Good Luck. It is a gorgeous book.
Lynda Cook says
This would be great for the less experienced person about Art as well, to learn and appreciate the works of fine art is always a plus!
Paula says
I agree. I could learn from it too.
Kimberly @ Homeschooling in nova scotia says
My daughter adores drawing and is quite a talented artist – would love to use this in our homeschool!
Stephen Gordon says
I could definitely learn.
Viv Sluys says
I’d like to win for my daughters. They love art and they love books.
Lee-Ann Sleegers says
I would like to win this to learn more about art and maybe take up a new hobby!
ivy pluchinsky says
I want to win because these books look interesting and I love reading and learning and love art!
kathy downey says
I want to win this for my granddaughter,she loves to draw!
Darlene Schuller says
I would love to win to share these books w/the family! It would be a fabulous family time reading and talking about them.
Maritess S says
I want to win because my daughter takes Art lessons and this would aid her on techniques and give her inspiration.
Robyn Bellefleur says
I would love to win this for my daughters.
Sarah says
I would love to win these books for my daughter. Thanks!
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’d love to win this for friends who are very much into art and have numerous paintings and sculptures in their home.
Lynda Cook says
These would be good just to sit back relax and look at the paintings!
Darlene Schuller says
I have some art lovers in the home who would really enjoy these books.
kathy downey says
Hi,I want to win this for my granddaughter she loves to draw and be creative !
Darlene Schuller says
I myself would totally enjoy these books.
Stephanie LaPlante says
I would like to win because I have a very artistic family and this book looks very enjoyable!
Lynda Cook says
This would make a great coffee table book!
Darlene Schuller says
Art is of high interest in our home, this set would be a hit!
kathy downey says
I have a very artistic granddaughter who would totally love this
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
My friends who are into art in a big way would love this book to share with their children and grandchildren. 🙂
linda says
Want to win this for a Christmas gift for my little niece. She would love it!!
kathy downey says
I would love to win these books for my granddaughter,oh she would love them!
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’d love to win this for friends who are really into art and I’m sure they’d love this and their children too.
Darlene Schuller says
We are an art family and would enjoy these books
ivy pluchinsky says
I would love to win because we love books in this family
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I also have a cousin’s son who’s very much into art, perhaps this would be good for him too.
Linda says
I would love to get these books for my son who loves books.
kathy downey says
My granddaughter loves books,this would be perfect for her
Janet M says
My daughter and granddaughter both are very involved in art and love drawing.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I might even keep this for myself to share with my grandchildren when they come to visit. 🙂
kathy downey says
Love to win these amazing books for my grandkids,books are so important in a child life !
michelle t says
My daughter loves art – especially Frida Kahlo. We visited Mexico City last year and stopped by her family home. This would be awesome for her.
Piroska says
I love art, and want to introduce it to my little grandchildren. Best way to teach children is to have things accessible. Supplies. Books. Etc. These books look beautiful.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
A beautiful book sure to please whoever I gift it to. 🙂
Lynda Cook says
A nice book to have out for everyone to browse through!
kathy downey says
I want to win this for my granddaughter,she loves to draw and paint
Darlene Schuller says
These would be great to browse through and discuss!
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
This is a beautiful and I might very well just keep it for myself.
Lynda Cook says
Great book to leave out for everyone to enjoy!
Darlene Schuller says
These books would be great conversation pieces!
kathy downey says
I’d like to win for my granddaughters,they love books and drawing
lori b says
my son is very interested in different types of art and enjoys painting, I think he would like these books.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
A beautiful book and art has always interested me so I do think that I’d keep it for myself and show it to my grandchildren too.
Darlene Schuller says
I think these books would help introduce my daughter to art in a deeper way!
kathy downey says
I’d like to win for my granddaughter she loves to draw
Lynda Cook says
A great book to sit back relax and take in all the art work
kathy downey says
I would like to win this for my granddaughter she would love this book
Darlene Schuller says
This is a set of book that everyone would enjoy. Great conversation pieces.
lori b says
my son loves to draw and paint, I think he would enjoy this
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I can’t decide whether to keep this or gift it to friends should I be the lucky winner.
Nicole Jubleew says
We love looking at art. No matter how many times you look at a painting, you’re always discovering new things you missed before.
kathy downey says
I want to win these books for my granddaughter,she would love them
Darlene Schuller says
These are books the entire family would enjoy.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Gorgeous books that I could, no doubt learn a lot from.
lori b says
I love having books like this to reference as well as just browse.
kathy downey says
I would like to win this to learn more about art and my granddaughter is huge fan
Lori B says
there are many things I could learn from this book. thank you
Darlene Schuller says
We would enjoy these books and I would love to expand our books to more art style/photography kinds
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’m still tossing and turning over this but I think I’ll just keep this gorgeous book for myself. 🙂
KellyPC says
I would love to go through these & they would look beautiful on my bookcase with my other arty books!