The Best Keith Haring Books for Kids
Keith Haring is one of the few modern artists whose work speaks as easily to children as it does to adults. His bold lines, bright colors, and energetic figures feel playful at first glance, yet behind them lies a commitment to community, equality, and making art accessible to everyone. That combination of joy and purpose makes his story especially meaningful for young readers.
This guide brings together the best Keith Haring books for kids, from picture book biographies written with care to board books designed for the very youngest audiences. Some titles introduce his life, including his childhood drawings, subway chalk art, and large-scale murals, while others focus on the spirit of creativity and activism that shaped his career.
Whether you’re a parent looking for a thoughtful gift or an educator searching for classroom resources, these books provide a welcoming entry point into Haring’s art, values, and lasting influence.
Want to try some Keith Haring-inspired art with your kids? Check out these tried and tested hands-on activities:
The Best Keith Haring Books – Fun, Inspiring, and Beautifully Illustrated!
Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing
By Kay Haring, Illustrated by Robert Neubecker
Written by Haring’s younger sister, this picture book offers a heartfelt, personal look at Keith’s journey from a creative child to a world-renowned artist. The story is accessible for all ages, celebrating his generosity, curiosity, and commitment to making art for everyone.
The illustrations, inspired by Haring’s own style, and the thoughtful narrative encourage young readers to follow their passions and challenge conventions, just as Keith did.
Not all e-readers are created equal.
Find out which one suits your child best.
Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring
By Matthew Burgess, Illustrated by Josh Cochran
This is one of the most complete and engaging picture book biographies of Keith Haring available. It covers his life with honesty—from his childhood drawings and art school years to the subway chalk drawings that made him famous and the public murals he created around the world. The book doesn’t avoid the tougher parts of his story, including his AIDS diagnosis, but it handles them with care and without overwhelming young readers.
Matthew Burgess’s writing is clear and direct, with a gentle tone that suits Haring’s open, joyful personality. Josh Cochran’s illustrations are dense and dynamic, full of motion and detail. Rather than imitate Haring’s work, Cochran incorporates it into busy urban scenes—subway platforms, city streets, studio walls—where Haring’s figures seem to pulse with energy. It’s a visually rich book that rewards close looking.
Best suited for ages 6 and up, this is a great starting point for learning about street art, public space, and art as a form of activism. It also works well in classrooms, especially in discussions about creativity, visibility, and using art to connect with others.
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Art Is Life: The Life of Artist Keith Haring
By Tami Lewis Brown, Illustrated by Keith Negley
This picture book introduces Keith Haring through one of his core beliefs: that art should be everywhere and for everyone. It traces his journey from drawing as a child to creating subway art and giant public murals, always driven by a sense of joy and social purpose.
The text is clear and engaging, making it easy for young readers to follow, while Keith Negley’s illustrations bring bold shapes and vibrant energy to each page. The style feels fresh and modern, a good match for Haring’s spirit without trying to mimic him.
Ideal for ages 5–8, it’s a strong, accessible introduction to Haring’s art and message.
Love (Peek-a-Boo Art)
By Amy Guglielmo, Illustrated by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo
This cheerful board book introduces babies and toddlers to Keith Haring’s art through a playful peek-a-boo format. Each page features a cut-out shape that hints at the artwork underneath, encouraging curiosity and discovery.
There is no narrative or biography, just bold colors, simple words, and Haring’s joyful figures. It is an ideal first art book for very young children and a thoughtful gift for parents who want to make art part of their child’s earliest experiences.
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Keith Haring: Journals
By Keith Haring, Edited by Robert Farris Thompson
While not a kids’ book, this collection of Keith Haring’s journals offers rare insight into the artist’s inner world, his doubts, drive, daily life, and creative philosophy. The entries range from personal reflections to sharp observations about politics, fame, and the role of the artist in society.
It’s best suited for teens or adults, including teachers, parents, or older students looking to understand Haring beyond the colorful figures. What makes it special is the raw, unfiltered voice that emerges. You see how seriously he took his work, and how deeply he believed in art as a force for connection and change.
A valuable companion for anyone guiding young readers through Haring’s work, or for those who want to meet the artist behind the murals.
- Haring, Keith
- Fairey, Shepard
- Thompson, Robert Farris
Keith Haring
Taschen, by Alexandra Kolossa
Kolossa’s concise volume is an engaging introduction to Haring’s life and legacy. It highlights his instantly recognizable style—bold lines, bright colors, and energetic figures—while also exploring the deeper social messages about racism, capitalism, and AIDS that permeated his work.
The book balances Haring’s playful Pop sensibility with his serious political commitment, making it an excellent starting point for anyone curious about this influential figure of 1980s New York.
Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody
Edited by Sarah Loyer, with contributions by Patti Astor and others
This beautifully illustrated book is a vibrant tribute to Keith Haring’s activism and his belief that art should be accessible to all. Organized both chronologically and thematically, it captures Haring’s iconic style and his commitment to community, social justice, and joy.
Essays and reflections from cultural leaders add depth, while the images of his subway drawings and murals remind us why his art still resonates so powerfully today
Keith Haring Pop-Up Book
By David Carter
This visually striking pop-up book is more an artistic keepsake than a traditional children’s book, which makes it a particularly thoughtful gift. Created by renowned paper engineer David Carter, it features six elaborate pop-up spreads that transform Haring’s vibrant shapes and figures into dynamic, three-dimensional scenes.
There’s no story or biographical text, so it isn’t meant for reading aloud. Instead, it offers a playful and hands-on way to experience Haring’s visual language. Ideal for older children, design lovers, or anyone who appreciates the joy and movement in his work, it’s a beautiful object to revisit again and again.
