Choose How You’ll Draw These Cute Cartoon Monsters
If your kid loves drawing silly, colorful, or downright weird creatures, there’s something really fun about letting them loose with a monster theme. And with so many ways to approach drawing, I wanted to offer three different styles to match different skill levels and learning preferences.
That’s where these three books come in:
- How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters
- Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Monsters
- Draw by Grid: Cute Cartoon Monsters
All three books share the same fun theme—cute cartoon monsters—but each one teaches drawing in its own unique way.
Let’s take a closer look at what sets each book apart.
Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Monsters — A Simple Start for Beginners
This one is great for younger artists or anyone who’s just starting out. Each page features a light gray monster drawing that kids can trace right over. Once they’ve followed the lines, they can color in their drawing however they like.
Why it works:
- Builds confidence through repetition
- Improves pencil control
- Focuses on fun, not perfection
- Great for ages 4–8, or older kids who just want a relaxing activity
The characters are playful, expressive, and friendly-looking—nothing too spooky here. Tracing gives kids a finished result that feels satisfying and encourages them to keep going.
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters — Step-by-Step Drawing with Clear Instructions
If your child is ready to build a drawing from scratch, this book walks them through each monster one line at a time. The step-by-step format breaks each drawing into simple stages, making it easy to follow and learn.
Why kids love it:
- Each page builds from basic shapes to full characters
- Perfect for kids who want to draw but don’t know where to begin
- Helps develop a drawing process they can apply to new ideas
- Works well for independent learners, ages 5–12
It’s a great next step after tracing, and a strong foundation for anyone interested in creating their own cartoon creatures later on.
Draw by Grid: Cute Cartoon Monsters — A Visual Puzzle and Drawing Practice in One
The grid drawing method is a little different. Each page shows a full monster character inside a grid, and kids re-create the drawing by copying it one square at a time onto a blank grid.
It’s part drawing, part visual puzzle, and it really helps kids slow down and focus.
Why this method is effective:
- Builds observation and proportion skills
- Breaks down complex shapes into easy parts
- Encourages accuracy without overwhelming
- Great for kids who enjoy detail work and structured activities
This format is ideal for kids who like working carefully and seeing how small pieces add up to a big picture.
Why Offer the Same Theme in Different Styles?
Kids learn in different ways—and their preferences can change from one week to the next. Some kids might start with tracing and gradually move on to step-by-step drawing. Others might bounce between all three methods depending on their mood.
By using the same monster characters across these books, kids can enjoy a familiar theme while exploring different drawing techniques. It also gives them a chance to revisit their favorite characters in a new way—maybe they trace a monster in one book and then learn to draw it from scratch in another.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick guide:
- Brand new to drawing? Start with Trace Then Color.
- Looking to learn how to build a character from scratch? Go with How to Draw.
- Want a quiet, focused drawing challenge? Try Draw by Grid.
And if your kid really enjoys cute cartoon monsters? There’s no rule against grabbing all three. Each book stands on its own, but together, they offer a rounded and flexible path to learning how to draw.
Drawing Is More Fun with Variety
One of the things I love about offering books in different drawing styles is that kids can experiment and find what feels right for them. Tracing might feel safe and fun today, but by next month, they might be ready to jump into freehand drawing. Or maybe they try grid drawing and discover they like the structure and challenge.
Whatever approach your child enjoys most, these books offer a way to stay creative while building real skills. And since they’re all based on the same theme, switching between them still feels familiar and fun.
If you’re interested in introducing your child to cute cartoon monsters—and giving them different tools to explore drawing along the way—check out the full set. Each one is beginner-friendly, kid-tested, and filled with creatures that are more silly than scary.
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Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 70 (and still counting) children’s drawing books available here on FirstArtBooks.com. Kevin has also authored numerous kid-friendly comic book series, including “Dylan McVillain: A Super Villain with the Best Intentions” and “The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain,” along with the Children’s Picture Book series “Alexis and the T-Rexes.”
