Play with Paint!

Pinkerton’s interactive board book provides a near-realistic experience of playing with paint. First, paint is squirted on the paper, then “spread” by hand as readers’ pretend to feel it glide over the book’s smooth surface. Little paint-stamped handprints show different shapes and inventive creations before the book delves into the fun of mixing different paint colors to produce new colors and pictures—in one mixture showcasing an unexpected color combination, yellow and pink mix to make “outstanding oranges,” wonderfully promoting experimenting and exploring less familiar methods. Next, different painting tools are introduced to see resulting effects, such as a paintbrush, a sponge, and rollers. Then it’s time to clean the tools and hang the piece of art up to dry . . . but wait! The final page articulates exactly what little readers will feel themselves—“More paper, please!” Pinkerton’s training in fine arts and art education help her create a playful and unique sensory experience of painting through reading. The illustrations are perfectly approachable for the book’s intended age range with squiggles, lines, and basic shapes, yet full of excitement and exploration with a myriad of colors. The use of realistic images of paint and tools along with the loads of fun splatters, smudges, and paint play is sure to instill and inspire creativity in budding artists.