Painting the Wind

Reach for this book when your child is struggling to express big, swirling feelings or when they feel frustrated that their creative work doesn't look exactly like reality. It is a perfect choice for quiet afternoons after a storm or when a child is transitionary from literal thinking to more abstract, emotional expression. The story follows a group of artists on an island, including a young boy, who are all trying to capture the essence of a summer wind. Through beautiful prose and evocative imagery, it explores how we can see the invisible and paint the things we feel rather than just the things we see. It is a gentle, sophisticated guide to the creative process that validates a child's unique perspective on the world. Parents will appreciate how it encourages mindfulness, patience, and the idea that art is a way to process the changing nature of our environment and our moods.