Louise Loves Art



Last updated Sunday, July 28, 2019

Author: Kelly Light
Illustrator: Kelly Light
Date of Publication: 2014
ISBN: 0062248170
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2019

Synopsis: Meet Louise. Louise loves art more than anything. It's her imagination on the outside. She is determined to create a masterpiece—her pièce de résistance! Louise also loves Art, her little brother. This is their story. Louise Loves Art is a celebration of the brilliant artist who resides in all of us. ## Older sister Louise loves "art" and is striving to create her masterpiece. She is so intent she takes little notice of her younger brother, Art, striving to be like his sister to create his own masterpiece by drawing on top of Louise's works. At first Louise is angry, but then she realizes that her brother is an artists..and posts his masterpiece in a place of honor: the fridge!

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Which is the characters, Louise or Art, is an artist?
•  Can children be artists?
•  Where do you "show off" your own art at home? (Refrigerator? bedroom wall?)

Vocabulary

•  imagination: using your thoughts to "see" something that is not yet there"
•  masterpiece: your very favorite work of art
•  feline: just like a cat
•  piEce de rEsistance: a French word for "masterpiece"
•  Gallery: a special place to display your art or to look at other people's art
•  Voila: French for "Here it is!"

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Which of the two kids is your favorite artist (Louise? Art? both?) and why?
•  What kind of rules are there for art? If so, what are they?
•  What does it take to be an artist?
•  What is your special secret to do your best art?

Craft ideas:
•  Make your own work of art...drawing? textures? dance? song?
•  Use construction paper to make a frame for your drawing (you can paste the drawing onto construction paper. The extra construciton paper around the edges becomes the frame.
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/august-2019-arts-and-entertainment/louise-loves-art/

Special activities:
•  Bring varied examples of art: a picture of classical art, or pop art (example: Warhol), a picture of a library or gallery wall, print of Picasso, Dali, or Mondrian?

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!