Celebrate Mario Day 🍄 by Drawing Bowser

by | Mar 8, 2025 | How to Draw Books for Kids, Video Tutorials

This coming Monday (March 10th) is Mario Day! Celebrate the greatest video game franchise in history by learning to draw Mario’s nemesis Bowser! (I always thought he was called King Koopa when I was a kid)

If you enjoyed this video drawing tutorial, make sure to check out my art books for kids at FirstArtBooks.com

Unlock Creativity with Fun and Engaging Drawing Books for All Ages!

Are you looking for a fun, screen-free activity that sparks creativity, builds artistic confidence, and keeps kids entertained for hours? Whether your child dreams of drawing adorable unicorns, silly monsters, or fierce dinosaurs, my collection of How to Draw, Draw by Grid, and Trace Then Color books is designed to inspire budding artists of all skill levels!

From easy step-by-step tutorials to imaginative tracing activities and structured grid drawing challenges, there’s a book for every young creator. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these books perfect for kids (and even creative adults!) who love to draw.


How to Draw Books – Step into the World of Art

My How to Draw series makes it easy to learn to draw anything from cute animals and fantasy creatures to silly faces and spooky Halloween characters. Each book features a simple, step-by-step approach that helps kids break down complex images into easy shapes.

📌 Great for beginners – No prior drawing experience is needed!
📌 Perfect for young artists – Fun themes like Cartoon Robots, Alphabet Monsters, and Crusty Goobers keep kids engaged.
📌 Boosts confidence – Kids see their skills improve with every drawing!

If your child loves doodling and wants to create their own characters, these books are a fantastic way to help them grow as an artist.

See “How to Draw” Books


Draw by Grid – A Fun and Simple Drawing Challenge

Does your child love puzzles and structure in their art? The Draw by Grid series turns drawing into a fun, easy-to-follow activity by using a grid system to help kids recreate amazing illustrations.

🎨 Improves focus and spatial awareness – Breaking images into grids helps kids train their artistic eye.
🎨 Wide variety of themes – From Silly Aliens to Cool Stuff: Monsters, Aliens, Robots, and More!
🎨 Great for all ages – Whether your child is just starting out or already loves to sketch, this series makes drawing easier and more accessible.

The grid method helps young artists develop their skills while having fun, making these books a perfect mix of structure and creativity.

See “Draw by Grid” Books


Trace Then Color – Perfect for Younger Artists

For little artists who are just beginning their drawing journey, my Trace Then Color books are a fantastic way to build confidence while having fun. Kids can trace adorable characters, color them in, and even add their own creative touches!

🖍️ Ideal for younger children (ages 3+) – Easy tracing pages introduce basic drawing concepts.
🖍️ Encourages creativity – Fun themes like Unicorn Animals, Mutant Animals, and Cartoon Food Monsters keep kids engaged.
🖍️ Great for motor skills – Tracing helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

These books are not just about following lines—they encourage kids to experiment, customize their drawings, and make each character their own!

See “Trace Then Color” Books


Why These Books Are Perfect for Kids (and Fun-Loving Adults!)

✅ Screen-free entertainment – Keep kids engaged without digital distractions.
✅ Encourages imagination – From fairies and princesses to weird creatures and goofy faces, each book inspires creativity.
✅ Great for all skill levels – Whether they’re just starting or already love drawing, these books grow with them.
✅ Perfect gift idea – Great for birthdays, holidays, or just because!

No matter what your child loves to draw, there’s a book for them. Whether they want to sketch robot dinosaurs, trace grumpy faces, or draw silly aliens, these books provide endless fun and artistic growth.

Take The “Shape Drawing Challenge”

Ready to get started? Explore the full collection and give your young artist the tools to create their own imaginative world—one drawing at a time!

Upcoming Events:

Verde Valley Comic Expo
Shape Drawing Challenge
With Kevin Coulston
March, 29th 2025 11:00am
+ Exhibit Hall All Day
Cottonwood Recreation Center
150 S. 6th St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Phoenix Fan Fusion
Shape Drawing Challenge
With Kevin Coulston
June, 7th 2025 12:00pm
+ Exhibit Hall All Weekend
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, AZ

Meet The Author & Artist

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.”

Over a decade and a half since his initial published work, Kevin is now dedicating himself to inspiring the next generation of illustrators with his “How To Draw,” “Trace Then Color,” and “Draw by Grid” series of art books.

Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals (New Book)

Bring a touch of magic to your child’s creative time with Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals! This adorable tracing and coloring book features 50 cute and whimsical animal characters—each with their very own unicorn horn! From jungle animals and farm animals to pets...

How to Draw a Franken-Ghost for Halloween – Free Kids Activity Page

Learn how to draw a funny cartoon Frankenstein’s monster ghost with this free drawing page from the instructional drawing book for kids ‘How to Draw: Cartoon Ghosts’

Trace & Color A Cartoon Dog! (Free Activity Page)

Trace Then Color: Cartoon Cats & Dogs offers 50 adorable cartoon cats and dogs for kids aged 3+ to trace and color, sparking creativity and providing hours of fun for the whole family! 50 Cartoon Cats & Dogs to Trace and Color! This fun tracing and coloring...

Trace Then Color This Cartoon Robot — A Free Kid’s Activity Page

Trace and color this cartoon robot with this free drawing page from the activity book for kids ‘Trace Then Color: Cartoon Robots’ by Kevin Coulston

Let’s Draw a Silly Alien in Just 3 Minutes

This short video will walk you through the basic steps of how to draw an alien cartoon character. Easy to follow, great for kids.

How to Draw A Crusty Goober! (Free Activity Page)

Get Creative with How to Draw: Crusty Goobers! Have you ever looked at a weird stain on your fridge shelf and thought, "That could be a creature from another dimension"? Or maybe you've doodled a goofy little monster in the margins of your notebook and wished you...

Trace Then Color A Werewolf — A Free Halloween Kid’s Activity Page

Trace and color this cartoon werewolf with this free coloring page from the spooky activity book for kids ‘Trace Then Color: Cartoon Halloween Characters’

Artistic Outlets Improve Problem Solving Skills in Children

It is well-established that engaging in artistic activities, such as drawing, painting, and music, can have a positive impact on cognitive development in children. One specific benefit that has been researched is the improvement of problem solving skills.

10 Reasons It’s Important to Encourage Creativity in Children

How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals by Kevin CoulstonSet your children on a path for a successful future Encouraging creativity in children allows them to express themselves and their ideas in a unique and personal way. Through drawing and illustration, children can...

Trace Then Color A Cute Mermaid! 🧜‍♀️ (Free Activity Page)

Trace and Color 50 adorable mermaids, unicorns, and other cute characters in this fun activity book, designed to inspire creativity and provide hours of artistic fun! Fun Tracing and Coloring Book for Kids – Draw and Color 50 Cute Characters! This delightful tracing...

What Our Customers Are Saying

“The author really does a great job demonstrating how easy (and rewarding!) it can be to draw seemingly ordinary things you (and your little ones!) may feel too intimidated to try drawing without the step-by-step guide! Putting already-known shapes together and making something new and original is a fantastic way to learn! And recognizing that you can add your own twists and personality to your drawings makes all the difference. I think it’s a fun, original approach to building confidence for a lifelong hobby. I have the ebook copy, and can only imagine how great a physical copy would be!”

– Daenarah [Amazon Review]

“There are several of these fun books by this author. My kids and I have had a lot of fun with these. It’s a great activity to do as a family and see how they all turn out. Almost like a sip and paint but more of a juice box and draw.”

Allison B. [Amazon Review]

My kids can’t wait to start drawing these monsters in their illustrations! The many different moods of the monsters appeal to their different personalities. We love the many options, styles, and opportunities to expand upon the characters. Recommended for all ages!

– Kasey [Amazon Review]

“Kevin has put out many books on drawing and animation, and has such a great feel for HOW to explain the process. His art is so expressive and kid-friendly, but his real strength is in his ability to really explain and show how it’s done, making it accessible to kids and adults. I’m a firm believer that not everyone who “can do” can teach, but Kevin does both beautifully! Pick this up and watch kids have a blast making robots of all sorts, while learning great fundamental art skills at the same time!”

Tom R. [Amazon Review]

“My 5yo LOVES this book! The drawings are cute and the instructions are easy to follow along with. She gets a kick out of drawing muffin monsters and ketchup monsters and it actually keeps her pretty focused for long periods of time.”

– Monica [Amazon Review]

“This is a fantastic book for kids who love art, cartoons, comic books, or just having fun! There are a lot of characters to choose from, and really easy step-by-step instructions to follow. You child will have a blast drawing these fun, silly characters! And just in time for Easter baskets!”

– Bestmomever [Amazon Review]

“This is a very good book for kids that want to learn to draw, my sons love it and Kevin does a great job of making drawing fun and not intimidating. Highly recommended for the long summer hours!”

David D. [Amazon Review]

News and Free Drawing Tutorials

Upcoming Live Drawing Events

Upcoming Live Drawing Events

Join me for my Shape Drawing Challenge all-ages drawing event at two upcoming Arizona Comic Conventions. See details for both events...

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