MaryAnn
Kohl qualifies as a national treasure in my mind. For the past 25 years she has been writing books (23 of them!) to share
children's arts and crafts ideas and encourage parents and teachers to value art and creativity. Here she talks about her
new book, Art with Anything, as well as how art has changed in the schools since
she started teaching in the '70s, and even what she would do if she could change our education system.
MaryAnn’s new book, Art with Anything: 52 Weeks of Fun Using Everyday Stuff at
the end of this interview.***
Anything, and especially appreciate the idea that you can make art with everyday
items people have around their houses, including address labels, yarn, tin
foil, and salt. What gave you the idea for this book?
for writing this book: 1.) One is that we all have so many interesting
materials already at our disposal, and I wanted to focus on using things that
we have or could easily collect without buying materials. 2.) The other idea
was that I thought, "What if we do art five days in a row focused on ONE
material and all it can do? Wouldn't children learn more and develop their
skills more if we did this? And what if the first day was an introductory
exploratory project, and each day built on the first until the fifth day, which
would be the 'fancy day'?" I thought this would be a unique approach to
skill building through art and really good for kids. By the time they get to
the 5th day, they are ready for a really challenging exciting art project.
JEAN: The format – five days of
projects of increasing complexity with a single material
made you use this format?
Another thing I tried to do was
repeat some common techniques throughout the book like making collages or
constructing mobiles. This is a purposeful strategy that builds a child's
skill, understanding, and creativity. To create collages with different
materials will help the child learn new ways to use materials and face the
variety of challenges those materials present. For example, a collage with
tissue paper will be completely different than a collage with buttons, and a
mobile with heavy objects like nuts and bolts will have completely different
challenges than one with cotton balls. All of this combines to help the child
learn through exploring and creating.
JEAN: What are your favorite everyday
art materials and projects from Art with Anything?
MARYANN: You could ask me
this question on any day, and I'm sure my answer would change depending on what
the kids I most recently worked with had created. But today, I will say that I
love love love the Week 4 – Bubble Wrap. Who doesn't love bubble wrap for the
obvious popping fun? The five days of art with bubble wrap are very exciting
and have great outcomes. For example, Day 1 is an introductory crayon rubbing,
Day 2 has numerous painting ideas, Day 3 is a translucent collage, Day 4 offers
a fun way to make fish prints, and Day 5 is the all exciting Bubble Wrap Mural.
I should mention that though Bubble Wrap comes at Week 4, you don't have to
follow the weeks in order. You can do these projects in any order you wish.
They are in alphabetical order in the book just to make it easy for you, but
feel free to choose any week you like any time during the year. The book has 52
weeks so that you have a year's worth of choices.
A few other favorites are:
Week 8: CDs
Week 10: Coffee Filters
Week 23: Hole Punch Dots
and Week 35: Plastic Wrap
Oops, can't leave out Week 36: Leaves. I love the leaves
projects!
and teachers to prioritize art for 25 years as an author and for longer as a teacher. What are your top tips making art a part of everyday?
MARYANN: Art is easy to
provide if you tell yourself it doesn't have to be a big deal. And it doesn't!
Not everyone has to be a fabulous artful parent (read: messy)! If you are
willing to provide blank paper and crayons and markers, you're on the road to
providing wonderful creative opportunities for kids. [Did you know that
research shows that children who are allowed to draw daily without adult
interference do better in all academic areas than children who do not draw?
There you have it.] Okay, now add some tape, scissors, and a stapler. Now add a
bottle of glue or a gluestick. Next add some collage materials in a shoe box.
Provide all of this on a shelf or somewhere the child has free and easy access
to its use. As you are more comfortable, add more materials for the child's
use. On special days, bring out the paints and supplies that need a little more
supervision. Cover your table or floor or art area well, provide a damp sponge
for wiping messy fingers, a trash can for responsible child clean-up, and jump
in! I think I would suggest that art be a combination of free and easy art days
(nothing planned) mixed with planned art days that have more involved materials
and art ideas.
time of the day that is good for art, like right after lunch, or when the kids
get home from school and have had a snack and time to unwind. Every family will
be different, but all kids need to feel that art is respected and important for
it to be a priority. That said, let's get the kids outside and playing hard
too. Talk about priorities!
our approach to children’s art and art education since you first started
teaching?
MARYANN: When I began in the
70s, everything in art had to have a planned outcome. In fact, I think a
priority of the projects were that they should be "cute" or be a
craft that followed definite steps and had a definite outcome. I don't think we
even began to imagine anything else was possible. I remember the day we
discovered folding tissue and dipping it into colorful dye. My mind exploded!
The outcomes were entirely unique to each child, and they were mesmerized, as
was I. That one project changed everything for me. Many preschools still
operate with the idea that cute little crafts are "art". This is not
true, but times are changing. Since my first book came out in 1985, the
pendulum began to swing towards "independent creativity" where the
outcome of a child's art was unknown to anyone but the child. I am very proud
to have had played a part in changing the face of art for young children. As a
child, I never explored art as an open creative possibility. I think I've grown
in my own creativity and my relaxation about how my art has to look. We've come
a long way and it's so much more fun too!
see in schools and their art curriculums? Let’s say (just for fun) that
you have the power and the budget to make any changes you’d like to our
education system. What changes would you make?
MARYANN: Many schools do not
have art curriculums at all, and if any art is to happen, individual teachers
must take this on themselves. Some do, and some are scared to death and just
leave it out because they have no idea what to do. Some schools have art
specialists, and then the teachers in their own classrooms do no art. So
there is a wide gap in art education for our children. Some get lots of
wonderful art; some get zero. If I had the power you have just given me, thank
you!, I would bring art into every classroom as part of the curriculum where
kids are encouraged to explore, discover, and create without an adult sample or
model to copy. The art would be process, not product, oriented, and each
child's work would be an individual expression with the materials on hand. No
two artworks would look alike. Just like snowflakes, our children are each
unique, and so are their artworks.
training for teachers so that they could understand how easy it is to allow for
art as well as music, drama, creative writing, and in fact, all of the arts. I
think if they had training and permission to enjoy the arts, they would. Right
now, many teachers are completely at a loss for how to allow for the arts, and
because their districts do not encourage art education, they ignore it all
together. They are faced with more and more requirements for high test scores,
and think that art will interfere with the challenge. I wish they understood
that allowing kids to have art would actually help them do better on tests.
JEAN: Anything else you’d like to add?
MARYANN: We each have a whole
brain made of two hemispheres. The entire right half of the brain works on
things that are creative, intuitive, and subjective. This is where the arts
fit. Schools should work to provide education that addresses the whole
brain, not just half. As parents, we must allow our kids the time and the
materials to stimulate the right side of the brain through visual arts, which
includes drawing, painting, and sculpture. And there's a bonus: Doing art
with our kids is fun, and a wonderful way to spend time together. There is no
better blog on the internet today to help this happen than The Artful Parent
for inspiration and great ideas.
for art ideas from all my books. I will look forward to it!
My blog: https://maryannfkohl.typepad.com/blog/
My website: https://www.brightring.com
have you sharing your ideas with all of us!
—
Readers who leave a comment to this
interview by Thursday, July 1st at 12 midnight EST will be entered
into a random drawing to win a copy of MaryAnn F. Kohl’s new book, Art with
Anything: 52 Weeks of Fun Using Everyday Stuff.
—
The random number generator picked #1 this time (first time it's happened with me!), so Rebecca wins the copy of Art with Anything. Congrats Rebecca!
This looks
like a great book. Jean, thank you for helping us to focus on being
creative.
Rebecca
189 Comments
Rebecca
June 28, 2010 at 6:51 amThis looks like a great book. Jean, thank you for helping us to focus on being creative.
Rebecca
molly
June 28, 2010 at 6:51 amIt is so nice to have people who are encouraging art and reassuring parents and teachers that it doesn’t have to be perfect. Thanks to both of you.
Dawn
June 28, 2010 at 7:05 amThis was a great interview, Jean! Thanks for sharing. I am inspired, yet again, to take more artful leaps. Would love to have this book around, too.
Joy
June 28, 2010 at 7:09 amI love to book format, it looks so inviting and friendly.
Kate
June 28, 2010 at 7:18 amThank you both, for inspiring us to take the time to be creative with our kids. We’ve enjoyed MaryAnn’s books from the library on a regular basis and would love to have one on the shelf of our very own!
erica
June 28, 2010 at 7:36 amlove her and her books!
sally
June 28, 2010 at 7:36 amI was gifted a few of Mary Ann Kohl’s books when I began teaching, and as a homeschool mom I have found them a wonderful resource! This new book sounds EXACTLY like what I have been wanting to do with my children – use one main medium and explore what all it can do!
Thank you!!!
Beth
June 28, 2010 at 7:36 amThat book looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing some of the inside with us.
Karla
June 28, 2010 at 7:40 amHer books always have great ideas. Thanks for sharing her most recent edition.
Michelle
June 28, 2010 at 7:49 amI just checked out my first book by MaryAnn Kohl from our library. It is so full of wonderful ideas. I would love to own one of her books.
FroggyMama
June 28, 2010 at 8:04 amThis book has been in my Amazon wish list since before it was released! It looks like a wonderful resource.
Thanks for the great interview and the giveaway opportunity!
Arwen
June 28, 2010 at 8:04 amGreat interview. It sounds like a really great book.
Marie
June 28, 2010 at 8:14 amI am so very excited about this book! I am a Pre-K teacher and have been trying to convince my collegues to switch from perfectly formed crafts to process oriented art for a few years. I’m looking forward to using this book and interview as a resource. Thank you for sharing!
Randi
June 28, 2010 at 8:16 amWonderful interview….her books are amazing.
[email protected]
June 28, 2010 at 8:19 amAs an art teacher & mom myself I love Jeans insights. She’s right on point with schools today. The book sounds like an amazing tool to use in my classroom!
Susan
June 28, 2010 at 8:23 amMy favorite piece of my son’s art that are framed around the house were inspired by Mary Ann’s books. I can’t wait to see this what this book will inspire.
Annette
June 28, 2010 at 8:26 amThanks for the information. I have been viewing your website trying to improve my toddler’s experiences with art. I grew up in the craft “art” method, so it’s all new to me. Thanks to both of you for the advice and inspiration.
Allison
June 28, 2010 at 8:32 amI couldn’t agree more w/ her vision of art created in schools becoming more about the process than the product. I find it frustrating when it’s fundraiser time at my son’s school b/c then I know what he created will be amazing, but it will also look like everyone else’s..
I also wanted to say that I am so excited for this book & LOVE the concentration of a particular material for an entire week. I really think that this will help children (and grownups) see something & realize there’s more potential in that object than just 1 simple purpose. It’s not just creating art-it’s teaching a life lesson (a bit redundant, I believe) :)
frivolitea
June 28, 2010 at 8:33 amIt sounds like a great book. And thank you for the interesting interview.
Kate
June 28, 2010 at 8:38 amThank you for this great interview! MaryAnn Kohl’s books have held a treasured place in our home. My kids and I would love this newest one!
catherine
June 28, 2010 at 8:38 amThis book sounds so great! Thank you for the chance!
rosa
June 28, 2010 at 8:41 amgreat interview – LOVE the idea of exploring one art “medium” a week… :)
Kristin
June 28, 2010 at 8:42 amThis book looks like it has some great ideas in it – thank you for the giveaway and interview!
jenn
June 28, 2010 at 9:00 amThis was a great interview.
Heather
June 28, 2010 at 9:06 amI have several of her great books and lots and LOTS of everything that I save for art projects! Hoping to do lots of art with the kids this summer.
Hannah
June 28, 2010 at 9:07 amI cannot wait to get this book. I’m obsessed!
sara
June 28, 2010 at 9:15 ami just requested this at the library! would love to have my own copy! thanks for the inspiration!
Beth
June 28, 2010 at 9:25 amI love Kohl’s books. I love the format of having a project for each day of the year!
Nickie
June 28, 2010 at 9:40 amI’ve loved the various projects you’ve featured on the site, and I’m heading to the library this week to pick up a couple of her books. Thanks for the interview!
Nancy
June 28, 2010 at 9:42 amI just adore MAK — I get a stack of her books & bookmark them whenever I need inspiration. We would make very good use of Art with Anything. Pick me! [email protected]
shanna
June 28, 2010 at 9:51 amthis book sounds fantastic! either way….this is definitely a book to have on our shelves!!
thanks
[email protected] Relaxo
June 28, 2010 at 9:56 amThis looks great! I’m really good at saving random things to use in our art but them I’m not sure what to do with them, maybe this book could help.
Carrie
June 28, 2010 at 10:09 amI would love this for my kids!! Count me in.
August
June 28, 2010 at 10:20 amThis book sounds awesome! I have a 16month old who is just starting to get excited for little art projects and another girl
on the way so this book will bring years of fun for us!
michaela
June 28, 2010 at 10:21 amI love Mary Ann’s approach! Thanks so much for introducing me to her. ;)
annette standrod
June 28, 2010 at 10:36 amHow awesome it is to teach our children to create with their hands. such a great self-esteem builder!
[email protected]
Meagan Grant
June 28, 2010 at 10:39 amwhat a lovely interview…she is so inspiring. I’m heading back to my own classroom and what a lovely addition this book would be to my library. thanks so much for the opportunity
Lanie
June 28, 2010 at 10:39 amMy daughters would love this book and so would their mommy! :)
Diana (Ladybug Limited)
June 28, 2010 at 11:18 amI have 2 of her books and keep trying to tell myself that (for the sake of the family budget) I don’t need more, but the concept of growing in confidence with one material over 5 days time looks fascinating! What a wonderful interview — thanks to you both!
Sonya
June 28, 2010 at 11:22 amI love MaryAnne Kohl and have about five of her books. I’d love a chance to win this one! Thanks for a great interview.
mes petits artistes (my little artist's)
June 28, 2010 at 7:27 amI LOVE mary ann kohl this week we are doing 3 days of art from her Big Messy Art Book! you’ll have to check it out at: https://mespetitsartistes.wordpress.com/
Jenny A.
June 28, 2010 at 11:29 amI’m lucky to have worked in a Mother’s Day Out program that really allowed for the kind of art mentioned here, and now work in my own first grade classroom where I can incorporate art into daily work.
Would love to win this book!
Ashley
June 28, 2010 at 11:29 amThe book looks like it is full of great ideas to incorporate art into your curriculum.
Margaret Murphy
June 28, 2010 at 11:30 amMy husband, a librarian, brought this book home days before this interview was published and what a joy!!!! I have always thought the notion that art was supposed to “look” a certain way was ridiculous! I am drawn to MaryAnn’s books because we clearly share a similar perspective – “independent creativity” is what it’s all about. MaryAnn is truly a treasure, but more than that, she is a real person, a real teacher. Thanks for this interview. I loved learning more about Ms. Kohl
Martha S.
June 28, 2010 at 11:35 amI love her books! Thanks for sharing the interview with us.
Katie R
June 28, 2010 at 11:36 amI grew up with my mother using MaryAnn’s books for our daily art inspiration, and now I find myself drawn to them as well for my two daughters. Her books are absolutely wonderful! Thank you for the interview–it was really interesting.
Maureen
June 28, 2010 at 11:43 amI loved reading this interview – thank you. Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
Ashley Chandler
June 28, 2010 at 11:43 amThat book looks like a must have! I love all her books and ideas. Thanks for bringing us her thoughts and ideas. And thanks for your inspiration as well!
Susan
June 28, 2010 at 11:54 amI definitely want to check this book out. Sounds awesome. Thanks!
Cara
June 28, 2010 at 12:01 pmI can’t wait to order this book! I have really enjoyed the other Maryann Kohl books I’ve used. I’d say her books and your blog have been the biggest sources of inspiration for arty projects I do at home with my almost 3-year old. Great interview!
Monique
June 28, 2010 at 12:04 pmI love the idea of 5 days with the same material – I think that would encourage us to do more art, as well as learn more about the material. Love MaryAnn’s books, and thanks to The Artful Parent for introducing them to us in the first place!
Gianne
June 28, 2010 at 12:22 pmI agree! I love Marianne Kohl. First Art and Math Art have been some of my favorite! Some of her ideas on my blog: cowsgomooandducksgoquack.blogspot.com BTW, love love love your blog too Artful Parent. =)
Michelle
June 28, 2010 at 12:38 pmI love MaryAnn Kohl’s books and would be so happy to win a copy of Art with Anything to use with my Art Group. Thanks for this opportunity :0)
[email protected]
Christy
June 28, 2010 at 12:43 pmI would love to win this book. I host a story hour at a local coffee shop and we always end with an art project so I am always looking for new ideas. I have Scribble Art by MaryAnn Kohl and I love it. She is amazing.
Shawn
June 28, 2010 at 12:55 pmReally
Must
Win/buy
This
Book.
My girls will love it. I can tell.
Heidi
June 28, 2010 at 1:07 pmI really love all your features on MaryAnn…thank you for introducing us to her fabulous ideas! :)
Basbusa's Mama
June 28, 2010 at 1:32 pmThanks for a great interview! I’ve really enjoyed MaryAnn’s “Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos.” I’ve never been “artsy” myself but I’d love my daughter to enjoy it, so MaryAnn’s book is really helpful for art ideas I never would have thought of.
Kerstin
June 28, 2010 at 1:39 pmWhat a fabulous interview! We love her books. Endless inspiration for art at home.
Adelle F.
June 28, 2010 at 2:00 pmAnother fantastic looking book by MaryAnn Kohl! Love her!
Julie
June 28, 2010 at 2:04 pmGreat information, I am looking forward to using MaryAnn’s books for new resources!
Clemencia
June 28, 2010 at 2:07 pmthank you so much for your generous offer, I think her book is awesome! :)
Marian
June 28, 2010 at 2:21 pmI’d love to do more art projects with my daughter
Light
June 28, 2010 at 2:28 pmThanks for the thorough interview! I appreciate Ms. Kohl’s perspective on art – not worrying about the outcome and thoroughly enjoying the process. I wish I could learn more about how her former students have turned out! Curious!!!
Jenny
June 28, 2010 at 3:03 pmI would love this book for even more great ideas!
Andi
June 28, 2010 at 3:12 pmThis looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance!
Teresa
June 28, 2010 at 3:23 pmJean, thank you for introducing me to MaryAnn’s books. After reading some of your posts I was inspired to purchase a few of her books and have been extremely satisfied with my purchases. I have two small children at home that are loving the hands on projects, as well as a class full of 1st graders that are SO excited that we get to do REAL art! So again, thanks to you both!
Tyandra
June 28, 2010 at 3:39 pmAs an art therapist and educator, I couldn’t agree more with Mary Ann’s interview. Her books are fabulous. Thanks for featuring her.
Dina {Made With Bliss}
June 28, 2010 at 11:40 amWhat a great interview. Thank you so much for sharing & keep inspire many of us…
Cassandra
June 28, 2010 at 11:45 amThanks for always shining a light on these great resources… looks like another great book!
Elizabeth
June 28, 2010 at 3:54 pmI just bought a copy of First Art yesterday to use with my 14 month old daughter. We’ve fingerpainted in the empty bathtub, made playclay, and like to scribble with crayons on paper. We’re planning on doing some of the messier projects when daddy is around to help this weekend. Blogs like this and books like MaryAnn’s have gotten me off to a good artistic start with her!
Liisa
June 28, 2010 at 4:05 pmWe already love this book!!!
Shelly
June 28, 2010 at 4:09 pmGreat interview! Her books are amazing! It would be wonderful to have this one too!! Thank you
jen
June 28, 2010 at 4:12 pmi just adore maryann kohl and her books! i gathered and read many of these during my art therapy training, and have since collected more after having a tiny artist child of my own. i love what maryann has to say about process-oriented art in the schools! i also love how she says it doesn’t have to be a big deal, and it’s true! sure, we have special art projects many days, but most of the time i just keep out some crayons, pencils, markers, paper, and the magnadoodle, and my daughter fills her down time by drawing on her own for at least a couple hours a day. i do need to introduce scissors and glue more, but for now those are still supervised. ;) hooray for maryann kohl – thank you for interviewing her, jean!
Brianna
June 28, 2010 at 4:17 pmYes, please! I’m addicted to her books, but don’t have this one yet. Creating things with my daughter is the best part of being a mama.
Jenny
June 28, 2010 at 4:25 pmGreat interview! I love her book First Art and have created so many memories with my girls thanks to that book!
Heather
June 28, 2010 at 4:25 pmWe have enjoyed her other books and are grateful to you for the chance to win this one. I am sure we would enjoy it!!!
Kate
June 28, 2010 at 4:29 pmMy children and I could really benefit from the ideas in this book!!! Thanks for sharing!!
brenda
June 28, 2010 at 4:42 pmahh, more ideas on making a lovely fun beautiful mess :-)
Amanda
June 28, 2010 at 5:17 pmThat’s my kind of art book!
Jus
June 28, 2010 at 5:18 pmOh! I would love that book, its looks fabulous! Thanks!
Kristy
June 28, 2010 at 5:20 pmJean, thanks for sharing this book with us and for sharing your artful ideas. I am a very “Left Brain” person and was never exposed to art during my childhood. I look forward to your posts so I can get ideas to try with my kids. Thanks for sharing your parenting struggles, too. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in this!
shelli
June 28, 2010 at 5:28 pmI loved this interview! Thank you so much for sharing it!
kate
June 28, 2010 at 5:32 pmI’m so excited there’s a new book from her. They’re the best!
Janet
June 28, 2010 at 5:43 pmI love MaryAnn’s books and can’t wait to play with the ideas from “Art with Anything”. Pick me pick me!!!
Julie Liddle, ART IN HAND
June 28, 2010 at 5:45 pmA-Men!
martha bernhard
June 28, 2010 at 2:45 pmI would love to have this book.
Martha Bernhard
Kayte
June 28, 2010 at 6:45 pmI am excited to see the new book. I love the idea of a weeks worth of activites with each material.
woolcat
June 28, 2010 at 6:58 pmHi! This book looks excellent. At first I just wanted to nick the yarn painting idea and do that with my four year old, but having read the interview I want to do the weeks properly!
Amy Field
June 28, 2010 at 7:10 pmI love her books too!! I am always excited to see one!! we have done many of her ideas at my school! Thanks for the giveaway!
esther jane
June 28, 2010 at 7:17 pmwhat a wonderful resource to have!! thanks for the chance to call it my own!
candice
June 28, 2010 at 7:18 pmi was just sitting here trying to think of something to do with thing 1 & thing 2 on this rainy day :)
we certainly could use this book today!!!
Kathleen
June 28, 2010 at 7:26 pmOh, yes please! MaryAnn and you are both so inspiring to me.
Carrie at Rhubarb Sky
June 28, 2010 at 7:27 pmI adore MaryAnn Kohl’s books. This would be a welcome addition to our collection.
Marie Faust Evitt
June 28, 2010 at 7:35 pmI use MaryAnn’s books in my preschool classroom all the time. Thank you for interviewing her so we can get to know the person behind the wonderful ideas!
andrea
June 28, 2010 at 7:39 pmi would love to actually OWN one of her books instead of repeatedly checking them out fromt he library :-)
Katie
June 28, 2010 at 7:55 pmI love the idea of spending a week with one material. Sounds like fun.
Linda B
June 28, 2010 at 8:03 pmI can’t wait to see this book! MaryAnn Kohl’s books are amazing!
sherrieg
June 28, 2010 at 8:05 pmI was checking on this book yesterday, and I’m not able to get this through our library (yet)! I would be so excited to win a copy!
Alea
June 28, 2010 at 8:15 pmI love it when I don’t have to buy new stuff to do a project – this sounds like my kind of book!
Nikki M
June 28, 2010 at 8:23 pmI have only recently been introduced to MaryAnn Kohl’s books, and can’t wait to dive into them!
Rebecca
June 28, 2010 at 8:41 pmWe have one of Mary Ann Kohl’s books and would LOVE to have another one! Thanks so much for telling us about this new one and sharing some of her great ideas and thoughts about art education!
This girl loves to Talk
June 28, 2010 at 5:05 pmI dont know if her books are readily available in australia (probably, but I havent seen) But she sounds like an amazing lady! My kids would LOVE to have a book like this!
Amanda
June 28, 2010 at 9:22 pmThis book looks wonderful! And I love all the projects you have been showing us!
Julie
June 28, 2010 at 9:23 pmI think this will be my favorites of all her books! I love how it all builds on each other.
Joanna
June 28, 2010 at 9:41 pmUntil about 2 weeks ago, I was one of those parents (like the teachers she talks about) that had no idea of what to do with art. I’m not “crafty” or “artsy”. Then I stumbled upon your blog and I am so excited that I’ve wanted to try everything! My 20 month old and 4 year old are really responding to the creative outlet. Thanks for introducing me to MaryAnn Kohl’s books – the only thing I have to decide now is which book(s) to order! They all sound great. Thanks for your inspiration!
Megan
June 28, 2010 at 9:42 pmThis book just looks so amazing! What a great resource – and the building in complexity is such a fabulous brain-development piece. I would SOOOOO love to win this!
Amy
June 28, 2010 at 10:33 pmI love Mary Ann, we have several of her books and my kids LOVE them. Thank you both for the inspiration you provide those of us who are lessly artistically gifted!
Trisha
June 28, 2010 at 10:51 pmMaryAnn Kohl is my hero. As an artist, art teacher, and mother I am constantly striving to achieve what she talks about in this interview: process vs. product driven art experiences.
We are currently trying to help our co-op daycare teacher switch her craft time to an art experience time centered on the principles that MaryAnn talks about. I think one of her books might be a great help.
Thanks for this great interview!
And, thanks, MaryAnn for doing what you do best!
Trisha
June 28, 2010 at 10:52 pmMaryAnn Kohl is my hero. As an artist, art teacher, and mother I am constantly striving to achieve what she talks about in this interview: process vs. product driven art experiences.
We are currently trying to help our co-op daycare teacher switch her craft time to an art experience time centered on the principles that MaryAnn talks about. I think one of her books might be a great help.
Thanks for this great interview!
And, thanks, MaryAnn for doing what you do best!
Mrs. Bowen
June 28, 2010 at 10:54 pmI’ve enjoyed her other books. The simple-to-complex format sounds interesting!
Jill
June 28, 2010 at 10:59 pmWonderful interview, as always! Sounds like a fabulous book!
Alison
June 28, 2010 at 11:29 pmI would love a copy of this book! If I don’t win it, I’m going to buy it anyway. Thanks for the great interview!
Alison
June 28, 2010 at 11:30 pmI would love a copy of this book! If I don’t win it, I’m going to buy a copy anyway. Thanks for the great interview!
Molly Hyde=Caroom
June 28, 2010 at 11:37 pmWe love all of MaryAnn’s books and use them all the time! This would be a welcome addition to our library!
Thanks for a wonderful blog and a fantastic interview! I love where she mentions education the “whole brain”. I am a homeschooler and this is one of the reasons that I am!
Your blog is fabulous and I am always happy to see that there is a new post!
Robin
June 28, 2010 at 11:44 pmExcellent interview. Amazing looking book
sarah
June 28, 2010 at 11:45 pmI love your blog and we are having so much fun with your ideas. Thanks!
Debby
June 29, 2010 at 12:22 amIt’s n to hear about the lady behind the
books. Love her art ideas.
Erica
June 28, 2010 at 8:53 pmI’ve added this book to my wishlist, but of course would love to win one! Thanks for the interview and the inspiration.
Lindsay R
June 29, 2010 at 1:13 amwould love to have this one, as well as so many of her others! what a great interview! thanks for the chance!
toasted
June 29, 2010 at 2:16 amIt would be brilliant to have this book on hand for idea, inspiration and motivation
Agnes
June 29, 2010 at 2:47 amI am so inspired by Kohl’s books and The Artful Parent blog! I just ordered watercolors, the divided paint jars, and con-tact paper from Discount School Supply yesterday! I loved Kohl’s comment about the importance of art in school. Art is just as important as math and science. Thank you for this wonderful interview.
Sandi
June 29, 2010 at 3:15 amI can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
Catherine
June 29, 2010 at 6:29 amIt sounds like and amazing book, I’d love to win.
Lynne
June 29, 2010 at 8:46 amI sometimes struggle to plan affordable art experiences for my family day care kids, I would love to win this book for them.
Lisa
June 29, 2010 at 9:53 amI am so excited to hear about this book!
Karen
June 29, 2010 at 9:58 amThis is a great interview! Thanks.
Kat
June 29, 2010 at 10:18 amI have to say, bubble wrap is one of our favorite materials to use with the art we do as a family
Kristin
June 29, 2010 at 10:43 amSounds wonderful. I’d love to have that book.
Rebecca K
June 29, 2010 at 11:05 amThanks for sharing this interview! I’m a huge fan of Maryann Kohl!
Gayle Parent
June 29, 2010 at 11:28 amI enjoyed this interview with MaryAnn! It’s nice to have someone say that what I did instinctively with my kids was a good thing to do. I gave each of them a dishpan filled with colored paper, drawing paper, scissors, crayons, watercolor paints, etc. When they wanted to use them, they were to let me know, and as long as I could supervise (probably while cooking), they were free to explore their materials. I never had a problem with drawing on walls or cutting the curtains! Thanks MaryAnn!
Amy
June 29, 2010 at 11:53 amMary Ann Kohl’s approach is so freeing, really. The books we have (and your blog) keep us inspired to keep our art experiences child-centered and let the kids discover something for themselves. It’s really neat how it’s so much more magical for them and me when we do, compared to when we assemble some craft (which has its place too.) And I like the idea that even if our schools can’t do the art with our kids the way we’d like, we can do it at home with them ourselves. Thank you for another great interview, Jean!
Darcy
June 29, 2010 at 1:33 pmThank you! Your blog is my go-to resource for my own budding toddler art group. And we adore the projects we’ve tried from MaryAnn’s ideas so far.
Amy
June 29, 2010 at 1:46 pmSounds like a great book. I love anything that helps children create! I hope I win!!!
[email protected]
June 29, 2010 at 2:03 pmi like the week long project idea. this would be great for my girls!
Nancy
June 29, 2010 at 2:06 pmThis is helping to rekindle the inspiration in my own artwork! I have shared this with several friends and my kids teachers. It is so important for kids to just create and explore and to not worry about the finished product.
Emma
June 29, 2010 at 5:06 pmOoh I would love this book! I’d never heard of MaryAnn Kohl until I visited this blog, but I’ve been inspired. And the book sounds wonderful – I’m thinking of homeschooling my son when the time comes so I’m storing up ideas at the moment – but when I asked about it in my library today they’d never even heard of her. I’ll have to check out Amazon. Thanks for enlightening me!!!
Kristin Gail
June 29, 2010 at 5:35 pmOoooh! Thank you so much for the interview and giveaway. Have been sniffing around this book since you first mentioned it.
Erica
June 29, 2010 at 5:39 pmThis looks like a great book, I would love to win! Thanks so much for hosting a giveaway of it!
Carolina Berta
June 29, 2010 at 6:00 pmI would love to have this book & use it with my little girl. Thank you for the opportunity!
Jaclyn
June 29, 2010 at 6:25 pmI need to own this book! I’m starting a “learning group” (a co-operative home-nursery-school) in the fall with some friends, and I plan to incorporate LOTS of art for our pre-schoolers!
Mindy
June 29, 2010 at 8:22 pmAs another posting prek teacher, I love MaryAnn’s books! I also try to preach to other teachers at school, it’s the process, not the product that is important!
Dani
June 29, 2010 at 8:29 pmThis book looks great! Thoroughly enjoyed the interview. Thanks Jean!
Jackie
June 29, 2010 at 8:34 pmI agree – she is a national treasure!
MaryAnn F. Kohl, art author
June 29, 2010 at 4:37 pmMy husband told me to read through the comments. I just did. Thank you everyone. I am absolutely humbled and honored.
Michaela
June 29, 2010 at 9:11 pmThanks for a wonderful interview with an inspiring teacher/author! I completely agree with MaryAnn’s philosophy of how art education should be, and her books are full of great ideas to use with my own kids at home.
Geni
June 29, 2010 at 10:20 pmJean, your blog, and your interviews have opened up the world of art for me and my son. I actually had an art day birthday for his birthday using one of Ms. Kohl’s books. Thank you Jean and Ms. Kohl.
Nina Laight
June 29, 2010 at 10:21 pmI love Marann’s books. We are currently using First Art and Scribble Art for my six year old boy (not too into art) and my three year old girl (the big art fan – she would paint and craft all day)!
Anna - Three Sneaky Bugs
June 29, 2010 at 10:21 pmI agree – she is pretty fantastic!
Sara
June 29, 2010 at 11:00 pmA focus on our whole brain is appealing!
[email protected]
June 29, 2010 at 11:16 pmIt’s so important to remember that it is the process not the product that we all remember. Thanks for sharing.
Amy A.
June 29, 2010 at 11:44 pmI love Mary Ann Kohl and love her books. I would love to own her new book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Andrea
June 30, 2010 at 12:18 amI love this woman! And I am keen on her idea of building more and more complicated projects with a single material. I can see that when my kids become familiar with a material or idea, they re-visit it and their skills improve! They dare to do more with it than what I might have shown them. I am excited about this book!
Jenny Rebecca
June 30, 2010 at 1:02 amWhat a wonderfully inspring interview!
P.A.
June 30, 2010 at 1:03 amWhat a great interview–we enjoy many of her books and look forward to using this one too!
Aussie Mum
June 30, 2010 at 7:57 amI’m a big fan of MaryAnne Kohl and have a couple of her books but there is always room on my bookshelf for another. Fingers crossed and thanks for sharing your great childrens art ideas.
Jesse
June 30, 2010 at 9:42 amI love Mary Ann Kohl! Her books are a wonderful resource for parents and teachers alike. I can’t stop collecting them!!!
ksmama
June 30, 2010 at 9:44 amWe own both Toddler Art and Preschool Art. I LOVE them and refer to them often. We would love to use this one expand our art with everyday objects!
Christie - Childhood 101
June 30, 2010 at 9:59 amEven in the early 90s when I finished my teaching degree there was still way too much emphasis on a cute finished product that allowed for little (or no) creative input by the child. I too am so heartened to see the shift that has now happened thanks to leaders like MaryAnn.
treen
June 30, 2010 at 10:54 amThis book sounds great, especially since I’m starting to homeschool this fall! I’ll also be looking her up at the library.
treen
June 30, 2010 at 11:06 amThis would be an excellent addition to our personal library, especially since I’m starting to homeschool this fall. I’ll also have to check her out at our local library!
treen
June 30, 2010 at 11:07 amoops. sorry about the double post.
talitha
June 30, 2010 at 2:25 pmI’ll either buy the book or win it! Thanks!
Barb
June 30, 2010 at 7:30 pmI love all of her books. Keep ’em coming!
Barb
Laura
June 30, 2010 at 7:59 pmI’m looking forward to reading the ideas in the book. My little one will sit and draw for hours–which is great! I need a little help coaxing her to try some other methods.
Heather
June 30, 2010 at 8:06 pmThis book looks really exciting and useful for parents. Thanks for the iterview!
Maggie
June 30, 2010 at 9:34 pmReally loving preschool arts and art with toddlers and twos. This new book will be a great source of inspiration.
Allison
June 30, 2010 at 9:42 pmIt is obvious by the number of comments how well loved Mary Ann Kohl is. She is an inspiration to process oriented art educators and parents. I have tried to check out this new book at our local library, but they do not have it yet. I cannot wait to see it.
Kylene Brooks
June 30, 2010 at 11:47 pmThis looks like a great book- I teach Kindergarten and have a toddler. I would love to look at her ideas and use them with kids!
Rachelle
July 1, 2010 at 2:30 amHi Jean,
I recently started a website with a focus on raising creative children, and your site has been a huge inspiration. This is a fabulous interview — I agree with you that MaryAnn is a treasure. Her books also fill my shelves, and have since I started teaching art to kids many years ago. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve posted a link to your site off of mine — please let me know :)
http://www.tinkerlab.com
Keep the great posts coming!
Rachelle
Sherry and Donna
July 1, 2010 at 7:33 amI’m a little ashamed to admit that I am not aware of MaryAnn Kohl here in Australia but I certainly look forward to investigating her books. Anyone who writes books with new ideas to give inspiration and encouragement for children’s creativity is definitely an author I want to get to know!
Cheers, Donna :) :)
Shenandoah
July 1, 2010 at 1:46 pmThis book looks fantastic!
Robyn Beaufoy
July 1, 2010 at 3:01 pmWe love MaryAnn’s books! So excited there’s another one for us to dig into :)
Stacy of KSW
July 1, 2010 at 3:13 pmWe like to make art with anything everyday, but I’m sure it will look much cooler with this book as our guide!
Amanda
July 1, 2010 at 3:35 pmOh, I LOVE Ms. Kohls books and ideas. I love how everything is so open-ended to allow individual creativity as well as allowing many ages do the “same” project. She has such wonderful ideas!! Would love to share her new ideas via her book with my daughters!
Christy
July 1, 2010 at 3:36 pmA while ago, I purchased two other Mary Ann Kohl books after reading about her on your blog. I love her books! And I love your website, too – thanks for all the great art inspiration!
AnnGeeDee
July 1, 2010 at 3:47 pmI love her books and would love to own this one instead of checking it out from the library when it comes in. Thanks for keeping us inspired.
Allison
July 1, 2010 at 3:53 pmWow this book looks awesome!! I especially like the idea of five days with a particular material! I will be seeking this book out in the future – that is if I don’t win it! I appreciate the chance.
[email protected]
July 1, 2010 at 4:21 pmohhhh… this looks like a wonderful book! Thanks for sharing! and of course I sooo hope we win! :)
Elizabeth
July 1, 2010 at 4:41 pmI really enjoy her books! :) Look forward to reading this one.
Christine - Origami Mommy
July 1, 2010 at 4:41 pmThis sounds like a fantastic book, and I agree with her vision of art for children.
Alison
July 1, 2010 at 4:59 pmOh, I love the projects I’ve been seeing on blogs from this book! Please consider me entered in the contest!
Annette
July 1, 2010 at 5:49 pmGreat interview, thanks.
Winston
July 1, 2010 at 6:01 pmLooks like a great book.
Marnee
July 1, 2010 at 6:03 pmWow what an inspiration…we love art in this house and having the book around for on going inspiration would be wonderful :)
Kiasa
July 1, 2010 at 8:25 pmI’m so inspired by this post/interview. Thank you! Sometimes I feel like I don’t do enough art with my daughter (almost 4 yrs), but it is good to know just free time to draw is great for her too. I really want this book–the ideas sound so fun and fabulous!
Bibliophile
July 1, 2010 at 8:43 pmHow exciting, sounds like a great book! I’m working through some projects in Early Art with my 17 month old; so far our favorites are the aluminum foil sculpture and the painting-through-the-bag. Love MaryAnn’s books!
Gail
July 1, 2010 at 11:00 pmThis book looks fantastic. Thanks for the great interview. Once again, I am way too inspired!
Becky
July 1, 2010 at 11:05 pmLove it! Looking forward to following you on your blog too!
char
July 1, 2010 at 11:27 pmI love Maryann’s emphasis on every child’s artwork being (like the child) a unique snowflake. It called to mind several schools I’ve visited (most, actually) where the hallways are plastered with children’s work. There’s a narrow range of uniqueness allowed–you really have to study the pieces to find differences.
As a school teacher, I blush. I wish I could do it differently! It’s hard in a factory model to foster individuality and self-expression. But I will never give up trying.
Thanks for sharing the interview (which, I confess, I have not read all of yet–will come back and savor it, I’m sure). I think I would love this book at home and at school…