I’ve encountered a case of writer’s block every so often.  It is no fun, I tell you.  Sometimes we all need little springboard for our thoughts, our creativity.  Although this is much less of a problem for the extraordinarily active minds of children, it is nice to add a little spark to their flaming furies of imagination.

When I see that one of my daughters has developed a new interest, I must immediately fuel that fire and watch it grow.  My girls have always had their own style (for better or for worse on some days!) and started choosing their own outfits at a very young age.  So, it didn’t surprise me when my eldest recently told me she wants to be a “fashion lady” when she grows up and my younger daughter has been proclaiming herself an artist for months.

Laurence King Publishing has produced the perfect igniters for both of their passions!  For my little Vivienne Westwood, I present My Even More Wonderful World of Fashion, by Nina Chakrabarti.  Obviously a follow-up to her first successful title, this awesome activity book provides my little stylist with tons of extraordinary starting points for fashion design and more!  At 240 pages, there are hours of fun projects, such as drawing a headdress for Cleopatra, inventing patterns for various articles of clothing, and tons more!

Creator/ illustrator, Chakrabarti, also includes clever ideas for outside these pages.  She suggests embellishing a coin purse with trinkets in the custom of designer Judy Blame or turning “ordinary curtain tassels into a splendiferous belt”!  With illustrations ranging from minimalist to extremely detailed this grand starting point is both influential and inspirational.  Although this book is aimed at age 8, my six year old has been having a blast designing and coloring these pages.

Chakrabarti, whose clients include both French Connection and Vogue has not left the education out of this title.  I love that she has referenced cultural, historical, and iconic references.  Your child can design a hat inspired by Princess Leia’s hair, color a spread featuring all that was hip in the 1960′s, and be mesmerized by the intricacies of bridal dress in Djibouti, Africa, all at the turn of a page!  Talk about multi-tasking!   For easily shared inspirations, there is also a mini-version of 30 detachable postcards featuring her illustrations!

Now, for my little Louise Bourgeois, Laurence King has also published Marion Deuchars‘ Let’s Make Some Great Art.  Deuchars created this masterpiece of an activity book to keep her own five and six year old sons stimulated sans computer.   My daughter is younger (almost 4) but the beauty of this book is not lost her.  She enjoys learning about the different styles of the featured artists, including Paul Klee (his line drawings are a favorite!) and Rene’ Magritte.  I say it’s never too early for art!

Deuchars is not surprisingly, an award winning illustrator. Her sketches are fun and enticing, leaving my girl motivated and curious.  Super fun activities include fingerprint and handprint animals, making a cubist portrait via collage, drawing with an eraser, and a myriad more!

I sincerely thank both illustrators for helping my daughters to think outside the box (both the metaphorical one and the one with a screen).  They both have chosen these activities over the television on multiple occasions!  All books are available for purchase on Laurence King Publishing’s website.

WIN

Laurence King Publishing is kindly offering two lucky readers a  set of these three incredible activity books: Let’s Make Some Great Art, My Even More Wonderful World of Fashion (Book plus Postcard Book), valued at close to $50.00!  

Just comment below with which artist or fashion designer you’d most like to see influence your child’s art!

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Contest ends December 30, 2011 at Midnight PST. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and emailed.  US only please.