Out of 73 Published Books so far, Which was my most popular drawing book during the Phoenix Arizona Comic Convention Attended by 130k+ People?
This past weekend, I spent three busy and exciting days at Phoenix Fan Fusion, the biggest comic convention in Arizona. I met so many great people, chatted with passionate fans, introduced new families to my books—and sold a lot of art books for kids. In fact, I sold out of many titles. But out of all 70+ titles I brought with me, one title stood out above the rest.
Without a doubt, Shape Drawing Challenge was my most popular drawing book during the entire event.
And honestly, I’m not surprised.
A Fun, Creative Twist on Drawing for Kids
The Shape Drawing Challenge book has always been a favorite of mine. It’s unlike anything else I’ve made, and it gives kids the freedom to be wildly creative while still having a bit of structure to get them started. The concept is simple but powerful: take a basic shape and turn it into something brand new using your imagination. One shape becomes a spaceship. Another shape becomes a silly monster. A third might become a magical castle or a superhero hamster. There are no wrong answers—and that’s part of the magic.
Inside the book are 16 different shapes, and each shape appears 30 times on its own page. That’s 480 opportunities to turn a simple line or blob or squiggle into something totally unexpected. No steps to follow. No tracing. Just you, a pencil, and a whole page of creative potential.
Kids love it. Parents love it. And at Phoenix Fan Fusion, I saw just how much people were connecting with this idea. It was easily my most popular drawing book all weekend long.
Why Shape Drawing Challenge Stood Out
I had dozens of different books on my table—everything from “How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals” to “Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals.” And to be clear, a lot of those books did really well. Some titles nearly sold out. Others completely disappeared by Saturday morning.
But Shape Drawing Challenge was the only book that kept selling out, even after I restocked it each day. I brought extra copies with me just in case, and I still didn’t have enough to meet the demand. It was the first title people picked up, the one kids begged their parents for, and the one I kept having conversations about again and again.
There’s something about open-ended creative play that resonates with people. I think that’s why it became my most popular drawing book of the weekend. It invites kids to explore their imagination without any pressure. They’re not worried about getting a drawing “right”—they’re just having fun.
About My Books: A Whole Series of Drawing Fun
Shape Drawing Challenge is just one book in a much bigger series of activity books I’ve created. Over the years, I’ve written and illustrated more than 70 different art books for kids. Some are “how to draw” books with easy step-by-step instructions. Others are tracing books where kids practice hand control and build confidence by following guided lines. There are also coloring and activity books, grid drawing challenges, and now a growing collection of shape-based drawing prompts like this one.
All of my books are designed with the same goals in mind: to give kids a creative outlet, to make drawing fun and accessible, and to provide screen-free entertainment that’s actually engaging. Whether a child is just picking up a pencil for the first time or already filling sketchbooks at home, I want them to feel inspired when they open one of my books.
Shape Drawing Challenge may have been my most popular drawing book at Phoenix Fan Fusion, but every title on my table had a purpose—and every one has helped kids discover the joy of drawing in their own way.
Kids Took the Lead
One of my favorite things about the weekend was seeing how excited kids got about this book. They weren’t flipping through the pages looking for instructions—they were asking, “Can I really draw anything in here?” When I said yes, their eyes lit up. Some started sketching right then and there.
Parents told me they loved the concept too. It wasn’t just another activity book to pass the time—it was a real creativity booster. Some mentioned they were going to use it during road trips, others planned to bring it to restaurants or keep it handy for quiet time at home. I even had a few teachers and homeschool parents tell me they saw educational value in it, especially as a warm-up activity for creative writing or art class.
Those reactions reminded me why this is my most popular drawing book. It works across age groups, interests, and experience levels. It’s endlessly re-usable. And it’s not just fun—it’s meaningful.
Beyond the Book: The Shape Drawing Panel
On Saturday, I hosted a live drawing panel based on the Shape Drawing Challenge concept, and it was just as popular as the book itself. The room filled up fast. We drew together, laughed together, and created some of the weirdest, funniest, and most creative drawings I’ve seen in a long time.
At one point during the panel, my daughter decided to jump in and help run the show—with sassy commentary and some genuinely great drawing ideas. The crowd loved it, and the energy in the room was amazing. Kids were raising their hands, showing off their creations, and asking if they could keep drawing after the session ended.
That kind of response is the dream. And it’s no surprise that after the panel, Shape Drawing Challenge became my most popular drawing book for the rest of the weekend.
Looking Ahead
Phoenix Fan Fusion was a huge success, and I’m still working on restocking inventory after selling out of so many titles—including, of course, my most popular drawing book, Shape Drawing Challenge (But don’t worry, all of my books are always in stock online). I’m planning more events in the future, including possible school visits, live drawing sessions, and maybe even new shape-themed books based on how much people loved this one.
If you’re new to my books or found me during the event, thank you. Your support means everything. And if you missed out on Shape Drawing Challenge, don’t worry—you can get it on Amazon right now with Prime Shipping!
In the meantime, you can see all of my titles over at FirstArtBooks.com. From fairy tales to silly monsters to drawing robots, I’ve got something for every kid who loves to draw.
Final Thoughts
Out of more than 70 books on my table, there was one clear winner. Shape Drawing Challenge wasn’t just my most popular drawing book at Phoenix Fan Fusion—it was the one that kids kept coming back for, the one that sparked the most conversations, and the one that truly captured the imagination of everyone who picked it up.
It’s a simple idea with powerful results. And judging by how fast it flew off my table, I think it’s safe to say: this little book of shapes might just be the start of something big.
Thanks again to everyone who stopped by, said hello, or picked up a book. I can’t wait to see what you draw next.
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.”
