Katie's Picture Show - Story Snug

Katie’s Picture Show by James Mayhew

Katie’s Picture Show was the very first of James Mayhew’s Katie books that I bought. We’ve read many more since and also been to one of James’ storytelling sessions at The National Gallery in London.

The Story: At the art gallery Katie’s grandma tells her to go and look at some pictures while she has a rest. At the first painting Katie ignores the Please Do Not Touch sign and discovers that she can climb into the painting. So begins an amazing adventure in which Katie climbs into five very different paintings. She eats apple pie and cream cakes, plays with a hoop, visits the jungle and has to be rescued from the final painting by the museum guard!

I originally bought Katie’s Picture Show for an art topic when I was teaching Grade Two and the entertaining story (with a non fiction element included) was a great way to introduce children to different paintings. Katie’s mini adventures within each painting add a fun element to the book and James Mayhew’s illustrations are beautiful and in keeping with the artistic theme. My four year old enjoys listening to the story although I’m not sure how much she really understands about paintings. That’s fine too, she’s enjoying a story while being introduced to different paintings and any questions and discussions will come when she’s ready.

Paintings included in this book – The Hay Wain / Madame Moitessier Seated / Les Parapluies / Tropical Storm With a Tiger / Dynamic Suprematism

There are several Katie books introducing children to art and I highly recommend them if you are looking for picture books to introduce your child to art and painters. We also have Katie in London which takes Katie and her little brother Jack to many of the major London landmarks, it’s a great story to prepare children for a trip to London (and they have a very unusual tour guide!).

These are great picture books that can stimulate lots of learning opportunities.

Age Range: 4 +

Author / Illustrator: James Mayhew


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14 responses to “Katie’s Picture Show by James Mayhew”


  1. Jess @ Catch A Single Thought avatar

    I’ve not heard of these books before, but they sound really interesting. I’m definitely going to have a look at the London one as we’re taking the kids in the summer and it would be nice to be able to show them some of the things we’ll see in a context they will understand (somewhat!)

    Thank you for linking up x


    1. Catherine avatar

      The Katie books are lovely, education through a picture book story. If you are planning a trip to London I also recommend We Must Completely Go to London by Lauren Child (Charlie and Lola go on a school trip).


  2. […] Story Snug – review of the Katie art books by James Mahew, picture books […]


  3. Julie Anne Grasso avatar

    What a wonderful book. My sister is an artist so I think she will enjoy this for her little one immensely. Thanks for linking into the blog hop, we hope to see you again soon. Cheers Julie


    1. Catherine avatar

      As there are several Katie books to choose from I’m sure your sister would find one she liked. Thank you for visiting Story Snug 🙂


  4. Erica Price avatar

    I like the look of this book – I discovered art when I was a young adult, but I’d like my son to grow up with a knowledge of it and appreciation for it.


    1. Catherine avatar

      Katie will give him a good start, I’m also hoping to learn more alongside my daughter 🙂


  5. Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle avatar

    I haven’t read any of the Katie books, but they sound fascinating. Thanks for sharing. I’m going to have to check them out from the library!


  6. Ulrike A. avatar

    Sounds like a fun way to prepare for a first visit to the art gallery!


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is and I’m sure that parents can also learn a lot from the Katie books too!


  7. Jen avatar

    We have Katie in London, my kids really enjoyed it (while I was off gallivanting in London). I didn’t realize it was part of a series.

    What a great idea to jump into the art. What art piece would you jump into if you could?


    1. Catherine avatar

      Isn’t it great when you find a book you enjoy and then find out that there are more? 🙂 I would like to jump into Monet’s ‘Bridge Over a Pond of Waterlilies’ (but just to stand on the bridge, I wouldn’t want to swim!). And you?


  8. Zoe avatar

    Yes, the Katie books are great if going to an art gallery, and also for encouraging kids to think about the story behind any sort of picture they look at. Lots of “what if…”s


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s just difficult to know which ones to buy, they’re all so lovely and full of such great information. The Katie collection would be great to have in a school library.