Really great instructions and library of images. I like the the author takes the time to go over different tools and how to construction different drawings from basic shapes.

Don't judge this book by its cover, which seemed a little underwhelming and amateur looking to me. Inside it's actually packed with a lot of really good, really basic instructions for drawing just about anything you can think of, from lip gloss to cartoon lemons to new baby announcements to tea pots (with a special emphasis on feminine, cutesy and childlike). These are all very simple drawings that really do show that absolutely anybody of any age can draw this stuff.

The illustrations are done by a group of different illustrators. I believe they're Japanese. My one complaint for this book is the near total lack of diversity in the people. Despite giving us a huge range of hairstyles, hats, crowns, clothes, etc., they are all very stereotypical thin, young white (or Asian) people. Hair comes in three colors and is straight out of a 1950's picture book (bangs, pigtails, braids, long hair on girls, short hair on boys...) with the exception of the directions on how to draw a girl with her hair in a scrunchie. There are no wheelchairs, crutches, canes, glasses, freckles, afros, buzz cuts, fat folks, punk rockers, people of color, etc. One set of pear-shaped grandparents reflects the only representation for differences in age and size. The women tend to have long hair, small waists and round hips and to wear things like pencil skirts, which is an awesome aesthetic but should not be the only one we get these days.

There are a ton of these books out right now and I always enjoy them. Honestly, I have seen a few I liked better this year but this one gets points for being the most accessible in that you often get the feeling that you could do better than the drawings (and see how to), which will give amateur artists a huge sense of direction and empowerment. It's also nice that it goes into a lot of examples for ways to use your new talents at the end (announcements, travel mugs, etc.) and the vast range of objects depicted is really great.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

I've always thought I was an art-less disaster. Even as a child, my drawings were always the worst in kindergarten, so I've avoided drawings my entire life. I was honestly okay with it, but when I saw this book, I thought - why not give it a try?

...And now I can't get over the fact that I can actually draw stuff like hippos in sweatshirts and simple humans. Even a human falling down or walking! Who am I?

My opinion: this book was certainly meant for people who can't draw very well, just like me. I'm saying that because the instructions don't have any kind of complicated detail or techniques. While this is the very charm of this book and exactly what drew me to it (pun intended!), the simplicity probably won't satisfy people who are already artsy. But... if you are a total beginner to the world of drawing, I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is an incredibly simple and effective guide to drawing. I love the suggestions of pen uses. It is important for readers to know what recommended pens are needed to achieve maximum results. I really like the idea of sharing how slight variations can have an impact on drawing. The use of shapes to build animals and people is very helpful.

I teach art to my third grade students and find that this would be incredibly helpful and build on students skills.