Annika Learns About Art: with a little help from Fluffy the cat

A painterly picture book for ages 3-5

About a little girl, her painter mama, and the small brave act of making something of your own.

Annika loves paintbrushes, mossy stones, and long looking. Her mama Angelika is a real painter - the kind who says every mistake is just a color you hadn't planned on meeting yet.

Together they discover the swirly night skies of Van Gogh, the water lilies of Monet, and a great blue wave from Japan - then take it all outside, into the whispering wood, to make something small and true of their own.

And, of course, Fluffy the cat has thoughts. Many thoughts.

"Tomorrow, I'll make something new. And, little one - so will you."

A gentle, watercolor-style read-aloud for curious children, quiet mornings, and the grown-ups who love them.

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• 44 painterly full-bleed pages printed in full color on bright white paper
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• Age-perfect language: rhythmic, rich, but never rushed
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• A little tour of Van Gogh, Monet, and Hokusai - kid-sized
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• A color-wheel spread and a make-something-of-your-own prompt
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• Fluffy the cat, obviously

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• Bedtime and cozy-morning read-alouds (ages 3-5)
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• Art-loving families, museum trips, and rainy afternoons
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• Preschool and kindergarten classrooms
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• Gift-giving to little artists, thoughtful nieces and nephews, and any child who has ever asked "can I try?"

Book One in the Little Artists, Big World series. Book Two: Annika and the Missing Colors - a whimsical color-theory mystery.

Written by Mike McGinley. Standard Color interior on bright white paper, matte wraparound cover.