There are several Katie books introducing children to art and I highly recommend them if you are looking for picture books to introduce your child to art and painters. Paintings included in this book – The Hay Wain / Madame Moitessier Seated / Les Parapluies / Tropical Storm With a Tiger / Dynamic Suprematism

That’s fine too, she’s enjoying a story while being introduced to different paintings and any questions and discussions will come when she’s ready. My four year old enjoys listening to the story although I’m not sure how much she really understands about paintings. Katie’s mini adventures within each painting add a fun element to the book and James Mayhew’s illustrations are beautiful and in keeping with the artistic theme. I originally bought Katie’s Picture Show for an art topic when I was teaching Grade Two and the entertaining story (with a non fiction element included) was a great way to introduce children to different paintings. She eats apple pie and cream cakes, plays with a hoop, visits the jungle and has to be rescued from the final painting by the museum guard! So begins an amazing adventure in which Katie climbs into five very different paintings. At the first painting Katie ignores the Please Do Not Touch sign and discovers that she can climb into the painting. The Story: At the art gallery Katie’s grandma tells her to go and look at some pictures while she has a rest. We’ve read many more since and also been to one of James’ storytelling sessions at The National Gallery in London.

Katie’s Picture Show was the very first of James Mayhew’s Katie books that I bought.

Katie in london book