Celebrate Mario Day 🍄 by Drawing Elephant Mario

by | Mar 9, 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 Elephant Mario from Mario Wonder on Nintendo Switch!

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 80 (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.

Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw A Cute Bug Monster in 8 Minutes | Learn to Draw Cute Cartoon Monsters | Fun Drawing Activity for Kids

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How To Draw A Cute Mermaid – A Video Drawing Tutorial

Learn to draw a cute mermaid in just 5 minutes with this free drawing page from the activity book for kids ‘How to Draw: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff’

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Free Activity Page: Learn To Draw A Goofy Cartoon Face! | Become A Cartoonist

How to Draw Goofy Cartoon Faces – Free Activity Page! Ever wanted to become a cartoonist? Now’s your chance to dive into the world of cartoon character design with a free activity page (below) straight from How to Draw: Goofy Faces! This page includes a step-by-step...

Free Activity Page: Mermaids and Unicorns Word Search – Fun and Cute Brain Teaser for Kids!

Free Cute Stuff Word Search + A Fun Activity Book for Kids! Looking for a way to keep your little artist entertained with a mix of creative and brain-boosting activities? You’re in luck! We’re offering a free Cute Stuff Word Search straight from the pages of Mermaids,...

Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw a Banana Monster in just 7 minutes!

Learn to Draw a Banana Monster + Explore How to Draw: Food Monsters! Ready for a monstrously fun drawing challenge? We're excited to share a free video tutorial on how to draw a Banana Monster—one of the many hilarious and wacky characters straight out of our book,...

Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw ✏️ A Unicorn Axolotl

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! Unicorn Axolotl Drawing Video Tutorial:...

10 Christmas Gifts for Kids | Fun Drawing, Tracing, and Coloring Books | Give The Gift of Creativity

10 Art Books That Make Perfect Christmas Gifts for Kids With the holiday season approaching, many parents are searching for Christmas Gifts for Kids that are meaningful, screen-free, and genuinely fun. If you’re looking for something creative that keeps kids engaged...

Trace & Color A Sea Turtle! (Free Activity Page) Learn to Draw Aquatic Animals

Trace Then Color A Sea Turtle with the Free Activity Page Below Dive into Creativity with Trace Then Color: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More! Looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce your child to drawing? Trace Then Color: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More is the...

How to Draw an Angry Bald Man in 6 Easy Steps | Free Worksheet | Learn to Draw Goofy Faces

Free Drawing Page: How to Draw an Angry Bald Man Step by Step In this post, I’m sharing a free step-by-step drawing page straight from my book How to Draw: Goofy Faces. The character featured on this page is the face of an angry bald man, drawn with exaggerated...

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