Do You Have an Artist in the Family?

I recently wrote a post about ways to entertain your kids while traveling and during emergencies and then I was given the opportunity to review this new book Draw-A-Saurus: Everything You Need to Know to Draw Your Favorite Dinosaurs by James Silvani. It’s been several years since I had the patience to draw so I thought I would have my grand kids review the book. After all, this book is definitely geared toward kids.

Draw-A-Saurus is colorful and clever, aiming to take your dino drawing to the next level. There are instructions for drawing theropods, sauropods, armored dinosaurs, ornithopods and other prehistoric creatures. Perhaps only a kid who loves dinosaurs can appreciate how clever it is.

I gave them each the book, paper, pencil, and a clipboard and asked them to read and follow the directions on pages 13 through 33 and draw a T-Rex. They did this separately and did not hear each others review until we were finished.

Noah, Age 11, Fashions Himself a Moderate Artist: Did Not Return With a Picture.

What did you like about the book? “Is was okay, but not the best drawing book I’ve used. It didn’t go over enough detail for me, so I didn’t finish my picture.  It doesn’t teach you how, you just have to copy what he does and guess.

Anything you didn’t like? I didn’t like the editor comments, they were distracting.”

Who do you think this book is for? “Anyone that wants to learn to draw.”

Would you recommend this to other kids? ” Yes, if they have more artistic skills than I do. I think I learn better when I hear how to do things.”

Would you use this book again? “Probably not, unless I was quarantined.”

Kiley, age 10, has a creative flair and is learning to draw faces at school: Returned with a T-Rex drawing.

What did you like about the book? “I liked that the author broke it down into small steps and that there were cartoon pictures with it too.”

Anything you didn’t like? “It was hard to take a drawing from the ovals step to fill out a full dinosaur body. The ovals were hard to actually get into the picture because you had to erase them once you were done. I’m not sure the ovals are really necessary.”

Who do you think this book is for? “Anyone that wants to learn to draw animals, step by step.”

Would you recommend this to other kids? “Yes, because although it’s hard at first, once you get the hang of it you could draw pretty good pictures.”

Would you use this book again? “Yes, when I’m bored and have nothing to do, or if I’m trapped in some other place.”

Katelynn, Age 8, Loves to Draw and Color, Is Well Beyond Stick Figures: Did Not Return With a Picture.

Katelynn practiced drawing her T-Rex with the angles and gestures page. she created simple drawings with basic shapes and positions.

What did you like about the book? “When you get started your imagination just flows. The book helps it flow so you can be creative. I think I can draw a dinosaur because of the instructions in the book.”

Anything you didn’t like? “It was hard to draw dinosaurs. Not that the directions were hard, it’s just that it looked easier than it turned out to be.”

Who do you think this book is for?  “Kids and adults, anyone who likes to draw really”

Would you recommend this to other kids? “Yes, I think my girlfriends would like it”

Would you use this book again? When? “Yes, I want to draw a Corythosaurus next.”

The Verdict – Who Is This Book for?

Draw-A-Saurus is a book for kids, and adults, who have moderate drawing abilities and have the patience to practice their skills. It is not a book for someone to pick up and just be able to crank out a dino picture. If you are purchasing this book as part of your child’s 72 hour kit, or car entertainment kit, you should only include it for the kid that likes to draw and already has some skills. It will probably not hold the attention of your non-drawers, those with short attention spans, or those that are easily frustrated.

I was given a free copy of the book Draw-A-Saurus: Everything You Need to Know to Draw Your Favorite Dinosaurs by Blogging for Books in exchange for this review. These opinions are entirely my own.