Throughout his life, Pablo Picasso had firmly believed in the link between youth and creativity. “All children are artists,” he once famously quipped. “The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.” Picasso’s conundrum is one that many have strived to address, whether through imaginative playgrounds, Minecraft servers, or creative toys like light-up drawing tees, origami kits, and 3D printing pens. Phaidon, one of the world’s oldest art publishers, has its own solution: witty board books exploring child-friendly concepts through the lens of renowned artists.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Phaidon Kids has reprinted its First Concepts With Fine Artists collection, encompassing artists such as Henri Matisse, Josef Albers, and, of course, Picasso. Each book focuses on a single topic, ranging from animals to numbers, that exemplifies the work of its eponymous artist. Squares & Other Shapes, for instance, is a playful guide to geometry, repurposing Albers’ modernist, 20th-century masterpieces as educational tools. His series Homages to the Square is featured prominently, and juxtaposes vibrant rectangles, circles, and triangles to further emphasize differences between shapes.
Birds & Other Animals, on the other hand, revolves around Picasso’s loose, expressive sketches of animals. Drawn in a single line, these illustrations have rarely been seen before and showcase the artist’s exceptional command over graphic compositions. Penguins endearingly waddle over snow alongside a squiggly rooster. Turn the page and three birds fly through the air, while a group of flies perch on the ground. One particularly evocative spread sees bunnies leaping across the page, as a fox stares at them from behind, its haunches rigid and posture lowered.
“Bunnies hop… especially to get away from hungry foxes,” the text reads. “Does this fox look hungry to you?”
Taken in its entirety, First Concepts With Fine Artists offers a solid foundation for engaging children with art, all while remaining approachable and beautifully designed. But the collection is also a testament to the publisher’s deep relationship with artist estates, including that of Ellsworth Kelly and Alexander Calder.
“Kelly’s bold colors and shapes invite curiosity and exploration, making his art a perfect fit for children’s learning and discovery,” Jack Shear, the president of the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, told Phaidon.
It’s true: Up, Down & Other Opposites considers pairs like “together/apart,” “vertical/horizontal,” and “full/empty” through Kelly’s minimalist paintings. It’s clear that their outward simplicity and directness invite just that sense of “curiosity” for which Shear advocates. As for Calder, One & Other Numbers is a lesson in quantity, with text prompting children to count the distinct components of his sculptures.
“Calder never stopped upending expectations with his boundless creativity, and we are happy that Phaidon is helping to share his dynamic vision with young readers,” Alexander S.C. Power, the president of the Calder Foundation, added.
Individual titles in the First Concepts With Fine Artists series are currently available via Bookshop, while an exclusive bundle can be purchased on Phaidon’s website.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Phaidon Kids has reprinted its First Concepts With Fine Artists collection, featuring artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Ellsworth Kelly.
The series introduces children to topics like numbers, animals, and colors through the lens of renowned artists.
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Phaidon.
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