Best Books to Help Kids Learn How to Draw
Foster a love of fine arts in your kids with the 2017 top 10 drawing books for children. This amazing collection helps children discover their talents and get lost in a world of creativity and imagination.
Some of the top 10 drawing books for children focus on how to draw people, while others are exclusively about animals. Little ‘uns can learn to draw their favorite pets or animated characters such as Pokemon or Dory from Finding Dory. This list also includes books about drawing activities and games, as well as those dedicated to lettering.
Provide your children with any of these wonderful books instead of plopping them in front of the television. The mental stimulation these books provide goes way beyond anything on TV!
What’s here: This fantastic compilation of the 10 best drawing books for children for the spring and summer months of 2017 was created by real moms and educators who enjoyed these books themselves or taught them in class. Numerous types and themes of books are included in the list to keep your youngin’ stimulated.
For shoppers: Purchasing any of these high-quality book options is easy–just visit Amazon! Please note that we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Also note that our recommendations are 100% made because we love the companies and products and are never influenced in any way by any commission we may receive.
What’s Here:
1. How to Draw People by Barbara Soloff Levy
2. Adventures in Lettering by Dawn Nicole Warnaar
3. Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames
4. Learn to Draw Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory by Disney Pixar
5. Art for Kids: Drawing by Kathryn Temple
6. Art Drawing Games and Activities for Kids by Rachel A Goldstein
7. How to Draw Pokemon by Tracey West
8. How to Draw Animals by Barbara Soloff Levy
9. How to Draw Pets by Barbara Soloff Levy
10. Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals by Ed Emberley
1. How to Draw People by Barbara Soloff Levy
Ages: 5 – 10
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In first place of the top 10 drawing books for kids in 2017 is How to Draw People by Barbara Soloff Levy.
Exactly what the title suggests. This book is all about How to Draw People. Using shapes, like ovals, circles, cylinders, and squares, little artists learn how to sketch 30 characters. The characters have unique personalities and careers, such as a roller-skater, fireman, astronaut, and cowboy. Includes blank pages for practice.
2. Adventures in Lettering by Dawn Nicole Warnaar
Ages: 8 – 12
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Adventures in Lettering features hand-writing lessons, showing kids how to create beautiful letters in intricate patterns.
Love this one! Adventures in Lettering by Dawn Nicole Warnaar comes in next among the best kids’ drawing books this year.
When I was a kid, cursive writing was a major part of our school curriculum. Times have changed.
This is a must for calligraphers-to-be.
3. Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames
Ages: 10 – 13
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At 3rd on the list – Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames.
While people are among the top must-draws for little artists, animals are number one. This book teaches kiddos how to draw 50 animals, like elephants, dogs, tigers, fish, and birds.
There are even a few pages of mythical creatures, like ginormous, scaly dragons. I’m lovin’ the diversity and imagination here.
4. Learn to Draw Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory by Disney Pixar
Ages: 8 – 12
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For the Pixar fans! Learn to Draw Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory by Disney Pixar makes its debut at #4 of the top children’s drawing books in 2017.
Unless you live under a rock, you know that Finding Dory is the new Disney/Pixar movie snagging the big bucks this year.
This book is a drawing must-have for the lovers of the original Finding Nemo, bringing all of your favorite characters together. Also features critters from the new one.
Check it out on Amazon
5. Art for Kids: Drawing by Kathryn Temple
Ages: 8 and up
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Also managing a spot in the top ten list of drawing books for kids this year – Art for Kids: Drawing by Kathryn Temple.
This book is a drawing favorite because it lacks a theme, so there is more room for imagination. The guide is extensive and fun with over 110 pages of important drawing techniques. Each page teaches a different exercise on things like light use, volume, forms, shapes, perspective, illusion, and landscapes.
6. Art Drawing Games and Activities for Kids by Rachel A Goldstein
Ages: 8 and up
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This gigantic art book comes with blank practice pages and lots-a tutorials for sketching cartoony characters.Falling in at #6 – Art Drawing Games and Activities for Kids by Rachel A Goldstein.
Silly drawings galore!
There are bunches of games and activities, including educational word searches, mazes, riddles, and dice games.
Includes cut-out patterns for collages.
7. How to Draw Pokemon by Tracey West
Ages: 7 – 10
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My son loves his copy of this book – How to Draw Pokemon by Tracey West is a great pick among children’s drawing books for the Pokemon fans. ????
Gonna be the very best like no artist ever was! Pokemon! Gotta draw em’ all! Kids, and Pokemon-lovin’ adults, can draw their character favorites from the game series. Includes instructions on how to draw action poses and create battle scenes.
8. How to Draw Animals by Barbara Soloff Levy
Ages: 5 – 10
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Another wonderful children’s drawing book by Barbara Soloff Levy – How to Draw Animals.
Another great drawing book about animals. This one is all about pets, i.e. dogs, cats, parrots, fish, hermit crabs, sugar gliders, and over 20 more awesome critters. The diagrams are step-by-step instructions, teaching little artists how to draw each pet in detail. Then use colors to make each sketch POP!
9. How to Draw Pets by Barbara Soloff Levy
Ages: 5 – 12
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Yet another great pick from Barbara Soloff Levy – How to Draw Pets comes in next on the list.
This animal drawing book is a bit shorter than the others, featuring only 20 animals, but more exotic selections. Kids can draw entire zoo scenes with habitats for leopards, pandas, elephants, and camels. Or, they can draw tons of animals in their natural environments, like wheat-covered plains and lush jungles.
10. Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals by Ed Emberley
Ages: 6 – 12
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The final item on the “best of” drawing books for kids list is Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals.
Ed Emberley puts a twist on classic animal sketches. These drawing instructions are packed with quirky, cartoony details. For example, the owls don graduation hats. Or, the lions look a bit dumbfounded. Uses basic shapes to teach simple artistic techniques.