Studio: A Place for Art to Start

by Emily Arrow, James Buchanan (Illustrations), Melissa Buchanan (Illustrations)

A young bunny makes the rounds of a studio building, taking in all the different artists in their habitats. Making, thinking, sharing, performing . . . but can our bunny find the perfect space to let imagination shine?

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Crafts, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

My journey began with a profound love for both music and education. With an undergraduate degree from Berklee College of Music and currently earning my Master of Arts in Teaching, I’ve dedicated my career to merging these passions. My goal is to create engaging, innovative experiences that inspire children to embrace literacy through the joyful power of music. Through my work as an experienced teacher, author, and award-winning songwriter, I strive to ignite a love of reading and self-expression in the next generation.

I am a consultant for children’s film and television programming and I offer teaching residencies and workshops around the country at schools, libraries, and arts-based organizations. I am also a Writing Instructor for Literary Arts, Music Director of Storïwr Children’s Theater Company, and the Resident Host of the Portland Book Festival’s Children’s Stage.

Reviews

[Alex Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite picture book! Such a sweet explanation of how art is made and what an artist’s studio space is. A perfect gift for little future artists. Really cool color pallets with beautiful screen-printed illustrations! Loved it!

[Abby Johnson]

This rhyming book celebrates all different kinds of art and the collaborative spirit that one can find in a mixed media studio. An affirming book for young artists of all stripes.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute. Rhyming picture books have a tendency to annoy the snot out of me so when I can forgive a book for being rhyming (and there were one or two cringers in there, but I've seen worse) it has done its job. This is a sweet little story about the people (or animals) who make art...of all kinds...and the places where they make it. Ends with a message to kids to go find their space and make their own creations. Lots of visuals and fun things in the pictures my kids had fun finding, a sweet book to share.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book about a young rabbit visiting a number of art studios to see where art is being made: painting, photography, sculpting, music, film, and more. This rhyming book celebrates the arts but also the process and the need for a space. "Finding your own studio shouldn't be too hard: Round the corner, in a park, Or maybe in your yard. A place to be creative, wherever that might be." Emily Arrow's songs are infectious and her song "Studio" is not to be missed.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three pages in and the art just bugged me, which is ironic considering this is a book about making art. But then, art is personal - so who am I to judge?
The idea of the book is good--find a place to make art. It's important and fun--and on that I agree.

[Sheli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read aloud with very interesting illustrations. My Grade 2 students were mesmerized and didn't make a peep while I was reading! It provides an exposure to different kinds of art and creativity that I am sure will stir their imaginations!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming look at studio space and finding a place to create

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

sweet simple rhymes

[Melanie Borski-Howard]

Sweet book told in rhyme about a place to make art. Reminded me of "A Room of Ones Own" for children.
CLEL- nada other than play, and maybe sing

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A studio is many things to many different creators, but it allows creative people to express their creativity equally.

[Marlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the type of book you want to live in - vibrant, fun, and lyrical.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat concept: What is a studio? It can be for art, music or dance. It can be big or small, well-lit or dim. It is definitely a place for creativity to shine.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Loved the illustrations. Rhyming was off in parts but still so much fun and can’t wait to share with my students.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just terrific!

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a great gift for a creative/artistic child.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. Lovely rhyming prose. A good moral.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the color scheme and the story was fun.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice tribute to the space where art is created

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Embrace creativity!

[MzLevy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be better to share on a display and for kids to read by themselves or one-on-one with a grown-up due to the size of the pictures

[Kelsey Doll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book celebrates art, and that art deserves to have its own space—thus emphasizing the importance of art. Good.

[Elizabeth Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice storytime length

[Audrey | WellReadandUndead(ish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the giant pictures and straightforward explanations of different kinds of arts and the studios the artists use, from painters to musicians.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is art and what is a studio? A wonderful, colourful picture book that brings to life art, and artists, and opens up conversations about how to pursue art as a career or hobby. how using your imagination can spark creativity.

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musician, songwriter and author Emily Arrow (you may also recognize from her channel on YouTube!), partners with illustrators John Buchanan and Melissa Buchanan (designers and printmakers behind The Little Friends of Printmaking) for the bright and inspiring picture book Studio: A Place for Art to Start. A rhyming story that follows a little bunny as they get to see a multitude of artists in various creative spaces, Studio: A Place for Art to Start is a hopeful and optimistic read that champions imagination and creativity. From a recording studio to a darkroom, from a still-life art class to a band practicing, little bunny sees that there are many, many ways one can create and make art- and just as many ways that one can cultivate a space (a studio!) to make art. While readers get to see all kinds of cool studio spaces, the story tells readers that making an "artist's home" doesn't need to be extravagant: "Listen to your inner voice and find your special place. Finding your studio shouldn't be too hard. Round the corner, in the park, or maybe in your yard". The illustrations by The Little Friends of Printmaking are fantastic and such a brilliant match for the story: incredibly vivid (the rich colours!), appealing, with each spread filled with details and small touches that beg to be pored over. Arrow's use of rhyme is terrific here: the text is cheery, bouncy and easy to follow, and perfect for sharing and reading aloud. Likely to inspire readers to not only start their own art projects- or perhaps continue projects already in process!- but also to carve out their very own "place to be creative", Studio: A Place for Art to Start is buoyant can-do story, underlined by a much-welcome missive encouraging all kinds of art and creativity.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

[Z W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute delight - spare beautiful rhyming text with a "seek and find" feel to the bold and lush illustrations. This is a fabulous book for diving into the behind the scenes of "making". Wonderful for kids to consider the kinds of spaces, nooks they might create for themselves (like Virginia Woof's "Room of one's own") to hone their crafts and explore.

A glimpse into all these studios refreshingly reveals that art is the result of hard work and intention, not just the result of some random "genius." Making art is a discipline, a craft and in the case of the characters in this book, also a viable occupation.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book about making a space to create and many of the different ways people put art out into the world.