Just Released: Three New Beginner Drawing Books for Kids
I’m pleased to share that I’ve recently released three new drawing activity books designed to make learning to draw fun, approachable, and accessible for kids. Each book offers a different type of activity, but all are part of the same mission: to help kids build confidence through drawing.
Here are the three new titles:
These books are part of my larger series of beginner-friendly activity books. Whether your child enjoys drawing cute animals, strange creatures, or expressive cartoon faces, one of these new releases might be just right for them.
Trace Then Color: Baby Animals
Trace Then Color: Baby Animals is a simple and gentle introduction to drawing, ideal for young children and early learners. Each page features a large outline of a baby animal designed for tracing, followed by space to color it in.
This kind of activity is great for developing motor skills and pencil control. The animals are easy to recognize and fun to color—rabbits, turtles, elephants, and more—all in an approachable, cartoon style. It’s a good fit for ages 3–7, though older kids may also enjoy the low-pressure nature of tracing and coloring.
This activity book works well as a calm, screen-free activity and can help build early drawing confidence without requiring detailed instruction.
Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals
Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals takes a more structured approach, perfect for kids who like puzzles, imaginative creatures, and a little bit of a challenge. The grid drawing method encourages careful observation and helps kids break complex images into manageable steps.
In this activity book, each drawing starts with a unique “mutant animal” concept—a blend of creatures with unexpected features, like wings, robotic limbs, or extra eyes. The idea is to spark creativity while also practicing proportion and shape recognition through the grid method.
It’s especially well-suited for kids who are already comfortable with basic drawing but want to take their skills further. Grid drawing is a great next step in building visual accuracy and confidence.
How to Draw: Grumpy Faces
The third new release, How to Draw: Grumpy Faces, is focused entirely on expressions—specifically, characters who aren’t exactly thrilled. From bored and annoyed to full-on grouchy, these cartoon faces are both expressive and fun to draw.
The activity book uses a step-by-step format, starting with basic shapes and guiding the reader through each stage of the drawing process. It’s a great tool for kids who want to create their own cartoon characters or learn how to bring more emotion into their drawings.
This one encourages experimentation too—kids can tweak hairstyles, add accessories, or change features to create original characters. While the theme centers on “grumpy” faces, the actual experience is lighthearted and often funny.
Three Different Activity Books, Three Approaches to Learning
Each of these books supports a slightly different style of learning:
- Trace Then Color is about repetition, control, and early success.
- Draw by Grid teaches observation, proportion, and careful planning.
- How to Draw introduces structure while still allowing room for creativity and character design.
Together, they offer a wide range of options for different ages and skill levels. Whether your child is just starting out or looking for a new way to practice drawing, these books are designed to make the process clear, manageable, and enjoyable.
Part of a Larger Collection
These new releases are part of my larger collection of 70+ activity books across 24+ themes. If you’ve been following my work, you know that I try to offer a variety of drawing formats and subjects so that kids can find something they enjoy—whether it’s unicorns and princesses, robots and aliens, or food monsters and cartoon animals.
All of my activity books are beginner-friendly and focused on making drawing feel fun and doable. They don’t require expensive materials or previous experience—just a pencil, paper, and a little time to explore.
Ideal for Home, Classrooms, or Gifts
Whether you’re looking for screen-free activities at home, something new for your classroom art shelf, or creative birthday gifts, these books make it easy to keep kids engaged and learning. They also work well for independent learners or small group projects.
I’m always working on new themes, so if there’s a particular subject your child enjoys, there’s a good chance you’ll find something that fits—and more coming soon.
Thanks for taking a moment to check out the latest activity books. If you have any questions or want to share how your child is using them, feel free to reach out. I always enjoy seeing how families and teachers are using these books to support creativity and skill-building.
You can find all three new books—Trace Then Color: Baby Animals, Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals, and How to Draw: Grumpy Faces—wherever you shop for books online.
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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.”
