Published to accompany a major exhibition at Vienna's Belvedere 21, this gorgeous hardcover dives deep into Apfelbaum's colorful geometric paintings, sculptures, and woven “fallen paintings”. With 77 full-color photographs, it's a visually rich resource that brings her creative world fully to life. It's written for adult readers, but the stunning imagery makes it wonderful to flip through together as a family. A beautiful companion piece for anyone who wants to go beyond the art and really understand the vision behind it.

This is the definitive survey of Polly Apfelbaum's work, published to accompany the first major museum retrospective of her art. It features full-color photographs of her "fallen paintings". While written for adult readers, the visual richness of the book makes it a wonderful resource for curious teens and older kids who want to dig deeper into her world. Think of it as the art book to pull off the shelf together while you explore her work as a family.

Written by a curator at MoMA, this stunning picture book tells the story of Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese artist famous for covering everything she touched in polka dots and creating immersive infinity rooms that transform viewers into participants. Like Apfelbaum, Kusama is fascinated by pattern, repetition, and the idea that art can surround you completely. Ellen Weinstein's illustrations beautifully echo Kusama's signature style, and the book includes gorgeous reproductions of her actual artworks. It's a beloved art books for kids ages 6 and up, and for very good reason.

From the beloved "Wasn't Sorry" biography series, this playful book introduces Kusama's life and artistic vision with simple text and bold, quirky illustrations that feel like art themselves. It's a wonderful first introduction to installation art for little ones ages 3 to 7, capturing both Kusama's determination and her joy. The connection to Polly Apfelbaum is clear: both artists believe that color and pattern aren't just decoration, they're a way of understanding the world. A great one to read aloud together before trying your own dot-making at the kitchen table!

The beloved Little People, BIG DREAMS series brings Kusama's inspiring story to life in an accessible, beautifully illustrated format that's perfect for children ages 4 to 8. It follows her journey from a childhood spent drawing in the fields of rural Japan all the way to her celebrated career as one of the world's most famous living artists. The book gently touches on her struggles and resilience, reminding kids that the path to creating art is rarely straightforward, and that's perfectly okay. It's a heartwarming addition to any young artist's bookshelf.

This nonfiction reader is a great pick for independent readers around ages 5 to 8 who are ready for a bit more detail about Kusama's life and work. It covers her childhood in Japan, her move to New York City, and her rise to worldwide fame; all in accessible, engaging language. Supplementary information includes short biographies of other famous female artists, making it a springboard for even more exploration. A great option for school-age kids who love reading about real people and real art.

This gem from the "Wasn't Sorry" series tells the story of Louise Bourgeois, a French-American artist who created towering spider sculptures and large-scale installations. Like Apfelbaum, Bourgeois transformed the space around her into art, blurring the boundaries between life and creativity, and it's a concept even the youngest art lovers (ages 3 to 7) can begin to feel and understand. The book's minimalist black-and-white illustrations with pops of pink are as artistic as the subject herself, and a hidden spider on every page makes it a fun seek-and-find adventure too. A wonderfully approachable introduction to one of the most important women in modern art.

This lyrical, award-winning picture book explores how Louise Bourgeois's childhood spent weaving tapestries alongside her mother became the foundation for her entire artistic life. Isabelle Arsenault's illustrations are breathtaking, and the story reminds us that art often begins with the things and people we love most. Perfect for readers ages 5 to 9, it draws a beautiful connection to Polly Apfelbaum's own love of fabric and textile: both artists find something profound in the act of laying cloth down and calling it art. This one is a favorite among children and adults alike.

From A to Z, this lushly illustrated alphabet book introduces young readers ages 3 to 8 to bold, brilliant women in the fine arts — including painters, sculptors, photographers, and more. Each spread offers a simple, memorable line about the artist's most iconic, with expanded bios for older readers who want to learn more. It's a joyful celebration of creative women across history and cultures, perfect for sparking curiosity and conversation about who gets to make art and who always could. A beautiful book to return to again and again as kids grow.

New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky profiles fifty remarkable women artists across five centuries, from well-known icons like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe to lesser-known trailblazers who deserve far more recognition. Packed with infographics, art history timelines, and Ignotofsky's signature vibrant illustrations, this book shows kids that women have always been creating, and always been bold. It's best suited for readers ages 10 and up (though honestly, adults will love it just as much), and it's the kind of book that turns into a treasured reference young artists return to again and again. A must for any home or classroom art library.

This engaging introduction to thirteen remarkable women artists spans centuries and styles, from Renaissance painters to modern icons like Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, and Louise Bourgeois. For kids ages 8 to 12, it strikes just the right balance between art history and hands-on fun, with colorful spreads featuring important artworks alongside puzzles, quizzes, and coloring exercises that make learning feel like play. It's a wonderful starting point for conversations about how women have shaped the art world and why their stories matter as much as any famous male artist's. A great one to pair with a family museum visit!

From Cubism to Pop Art to Postmodernism, this vibrant book introduces kids ages 8 to 12 to thirteen artists who transformed the art world in the 20th century — including names like Picasso, Lichtenstein, and Hockney. Large, colorful illustrations bring each artist's style to life, while activities, quizzes, and a helpful glossary make it interactive and fun. It provides the perfect backdrop for understanding where artists like Polly Apfelbaum come from and the long, exciting tradition of pushing art in unexpected new directions. A great complement to any art history exploration

Published by MoMA, this eye-opening guide introduces children ages 8 to 12 to the dynamic, sometimes bewildering, always exciting world of contemporary art. It features nearly 70 works across painting, sculpture, film, photography, and installation. Organized around themes kids already love (games, outer space, bizarre beasts), it makes challenging art approachable and invites kids to ask their own questions. If Polly Apfelbaum's "fallen paintings" make a child wonder "but is that really art?", this is exactly the book to pick up next. A fantastic tool for curious minds who want to understand the art world they're growing up in.

This beloved modern classic follows Vashti, a girl who believes she can't make art, until one tiny, defiant dot leads her on an extraordinary creative journey. For little ones ages 4 to 8, it's a gentle, powerful reminder that every great work of art begins with the courage to simply start. For kids being introduced to Polly Apfelbaum's colorful, pattern-filled world, The Dot is the perfect companion: it plants the seed that making your mark, however simple, is always worth it. A story that never gets old, no matter how many times you read it.

Three young dancers wave scarves of red, yellow, and blue, and as they move together, the colors blend and dance into something entirely new. This joyful concept book is perfect for curious little color-lovers ages 2 to 7, exploring color mixing in the most playful, visual way imaginable. It echoes something essential about Polly Apfelbaum's art: that color isn't static, it moves, it changes, it surprises you. A wonderful hands-on follow-up is to try mixing colors together with paints after reading!