Art, art, art. Reading, reading, reading. Playing outside, playing playing playing outside. Imagining. Playing. Pretending. Adventure. Dreaming. A childhood rich in freedom and pretend.

Best teacher: Doris Nesbitt, grade 5, Longmeadow Mass.

Mom painted with oils and played the piano. Dad was a cartoonist and played the guitar. Both were musical. My aunt was an opera singer, my grandmother a published writer and organist, and so on. My daughters are both in music and theatre.

I taught elementary grades and found out that kids and art are as natural as sunshine and rain. I decided to put great art ideas into books for kids. I've NEVER met a kid who didn't love art, though many kids think they "can't draw". Let them explore and discovering with art (not follow directions and copy someone else's art). It's a sure winner!!   

Selected to be one of fifteen national experts for the Barnes and Noble Parents'
Selected to have my presentation archived for the Live Learning Center for
NAEYC (national assn for the education of young children)
Expert circle on their website. Visit to enjoy articles by all the parenting experts.
Lots and lots of Benjamin Franklin awards
Mayor's Arts Award (Bellingham, WA)
"Best Educational Author" in Germany (who knew!?)
Business Woman of the Year (Bellingham, WA)
Homeschooling Award (arts category)
Parents' Choice Award
Moms' Choice Award
NAPPA
many awards....

Visit my own website for free art ideas from my books: http://www.brightring.com

Featured at this website. http://www.ghbooks.com

My blog: http://maryannfkohl.typepad.com/blog/ MaryAnn's books published by Bright Ring Publishing Inc.

Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters

Mudworks: Creative Clay, Dough, and Modeling Experiences

Mudworks: Bilingual Edition (Spanish and English)

Good Earth Art: Environmental Art for Kids

Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Experiences

Scribble Art: Independent Creative Art Experiences for Children

Storybook Art: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of 100 Great Picture Book Illustrators

Discovering American Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of Great American Masters

coming soon: Great Composers for Kids

MaryAnn's books published by Gryphon House Inc.

Art with Anything: 52 Weeks of Art for Children

Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product

First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos

Primary Art: It's the Process, Not the Product

The Big Messy But Easy to Clean Up Art Book

MathArts: Exploring Math Through Art for 3-6 Year Olds

Cooking Art: Easy, Edible Art for Young Children

Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions From Around the World

Making Make-Believe: Fun Props, Costumes, and Creative Play Ideas

Preschool Art Series: of 5 books (all from the original Preschool Art):

Clay & Dough: It’s the process, not the product!

Collage & Paper: It’s the process, not the product!

Craft & Construction: It’s the process, not the product!

Drawing: It’s the process, not the product!

Painting: It’s the process, not the product!

Snacktivities: Edible Art Fun for Kids (Robins Lane Press)

Bright Ideas for Learning, art books
Visit and learn about MaryAnn, her books, and find free sample art ideas from her website.

Meet MaryAnn
Visit MaryAnn and Bright Ring.

Fun Activities from MaryAnn's Books

View MaryAnn's BLOG
Visit MaryAnn's blog for free art ideas and discussions on art and creativity for kids in today's world.