I am such a fan of the Usborne Books. I first found one in the library and then another, and then another and began to notice that I kept checking out books by the same company. They are beautiful books, full of pictures and colors and yet they are very simple.
The Usborne Publishing company was founded in the UK in 1973 and they publish all sorts of books for children – fiction, non-fiction, etc. on a broad range of topics. Their website can be found here. While I am not intending to sell their books, I do recommend taking a look at them. I think that they are very user friendly for families.
Recently I asked for two of the drawing paperbacks for Christmas (I know, a geeky gift and I’m sure that my sis-in-law thought that I was a nut-case!) I am such a wretched artist, but I want to learn at least more than stick-figures. I’ve purchased some drawings for idiots type of books, but they were so complicated that I wasn’t up to the task. I was impressed with these books and how easily the steps were outlined.
How to Draw Princesses and Ballerinas (Usborne Activities) by Fiona Watt, 2005
My daughters are as fond of them as I am. My six-year-old loves drawing and doing the activities and my three-year-old “reads” them to herself, sitting and making up stories.
How to Draw Fairies and Mermaids (Usborne Activities) by Fiona Watt, 2005
I believe that it is VERY important that as parents, we provide non-electronic (i.e. movies, video games, music, etc) activities for our children whenever possible. They need to learn how to be unplugged as much as they need to learn how to be plugged in!
What non-electronic activities do your children do?
Any similar art book suggestions, especially “boy” books ?
Do you like the little avatars that are posted on the comments? I set it up (a wordpress extra) to put the little monsters on, and I noticed that the same avatar is on each person that comments.
I think they’re really cute, and I think it would be fun to have a group of children make a set of monsters as a creative art idea.
Any ideas on what to do with the monsters? I mean I know that it would be a great way to get them to practice drawing and creating, but what could you do with a set of monsters?
Tamarack Idea Factory 