Common Sense Media Review
Amelia gives tips on how to draw doodles.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Amelia gives some tips on how to draw little doodles like those that appear in her books. She begins with ways to turn basic shapes and squiggles into pictures, and a brief discussion of how to use lines.
Following this are step-by-step instructions for drawing some simple objects, such as a sandwich, a cake, and a party hat. She then encourages readers to create their own step-by-step drawings, and to see drawing as a sum of parts, rather than try to tackle the intimidating whole. After showing how to draw a cat and a dog, she shows how to adapt those techniques to a variety of other animals.
The next large section covers aspects of drawing people, including lots of details of drawing faces and hands. She finishes off with introductions to shadows and perspective.
Is It Any Good?
This spiral-bound book, more a guide to creative doodling than a drawing book, is made to be drawn in, and provides space and encouragement for readers to add their creations. It's sure to be a hit with Amelia fans, especially those who have been inspired to try creating their own illustrated journals. Though the book appears fairly rudimentary, real beginners may find it frustrating.
The step-by-step instruction section doesn't start until well into the book, and earlier sections assume a level of drawing ability that not all readers possess. The examples are quite small, making details hard to see. The step-by-step section is better, as is the section on drawing faces, but later sections again assume too much knowledge and ability, making them best for confident young artists.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about drawing. Do you like to try to copy pictures or come up with your own? Look at picture books and talk about the different styles. Try bringing a sketch pad and crayons or pencils to a museum or art gallery.
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Marissa Moss
- Genre : Activity
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Pleasant Company
- Publication date : September 1, 2000
- Number of pages : 40
- Last updated : September 22, 2015
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