Anti-Coloring Books®

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ISBN:
Henry Holt
Paperback  2001

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Young at Art® 

Quotes about  Susan’s Books! Young at Art®: The first and only comprehensive book for the general audience about the nature, value and impact of art on very young (preschool-aged) children. “First, I want to thank you for writing ‘Young at Art’.  What a wonderful book.  It has had a tremendous impact on me and the way I have chosen to raise my son (and now my daughter).” Criatina Alcasid “School is off to a great start!  The Anti-Coloring concept is such a huge success!! the kids love it, the staff is enjoying their  creativity and the parents think we have improved and reinvented the  wheel!  They have commented that at last there is "coloring sheet"  worth keeping" because it shows the personality of their child!  thank you so much!”  Trudy Hendrickson, preschool teacher  Dawson Springs Schools,  KY "I love your book...It's very reader friendly. I love all the songs about art...the section on books about art for children is an excellent resource." Eldon Katter Past President National Art Education Association “I have recently read both your books, Young at Art  and  Please Touch and I have been so inspired and motivated by them. Many thanks.” Corina Koch MacLeod “I am a child therapist working in East Harlem in an Out Patient Child Psychiatry Dept. Just wanted to let you know that I have used your anti-coloring books as a diagnostic tool for the past many, many years. In fact it is one of the first things that I show new social workers, and medical students because it is a wonderful way for them to break the ice with new child patients and a way for children to express themselves. Now that there is the internet and easy access to E-mail I just wanted to let you know of this wonderful use for your books. I think they should be standard textbooks in the training of child therapists!” Sharon Gordon MS.Ed., LCSW Dear Susan, Thank you so much for writing the book "Young at Art" that I discovered on a bookstand and has been on my bedside table since. I am a new mother, my daughter will be two just after Christmas, and we have had over a year with your book to inspire activities. It's wonderful. I grew up being told by many adults that art was worthless. My teachers told me that my art was no good. It was incredibly discouraging. Now I see my daughter Clara reach for pencils, crayons, paintbrushes, marker will intense entusaism and concentration. She lets me know when she's finished and the final picture fills her face with a glow of satisfaction each time. Inspired by you, I led a "green day" at Clara's playgroup recently. We had cupcakes with green sprinkles, green playdough to mould, a green craft pack for each child filled with different shades of green paper, leaves, feathers, sticky contact paper, drinking straws, ribbon, wool, balloons, streamers to float through the air... it was so much fun. Thanks again, and keep up the marvellous work. Bridie Briggs

Young at Art® is the first and only comprehensive book for the general audience about the nature, value and impact of art on very young children. Directed toward parents and educators of one to five year olds, Susan Striker explains why children’s art is not a frill, but the very foundation upon which all later fundamental skills are built. She drives home the idea that encouraging children’s artistic growth will have beneficial effects on all other aspects of their emotional and intellectual development.

At the core of this practical guide is the understanding that art is an important tool in teaching young children crucial concepts related to self -expression, reading, and writing. As opposed to more structured exercises, such as coloring in dittos and underlining pictures in workbooks, Striker stresses that scribbling and free-drawing experiments are the most important art activities a child can engage in; they better prepare children to read independently as they grow.

Young at Art® provides descriptions for age-appropriate art activities and tips for carrying them out safely, and it helps parents recognize what a child’s artwork should look like at each stage of development. With Young at Art®, parents will develop realistic expectations of their child’s work, learn how to speak to their children about their arts, and facilitate skills well beyond their own perceived lack of artistic talent and creativity.