Whether your child can barely draw a stick figure or is the next Monet, artists young and old will be ready to create something new after reading these two books on the transformative powers of art.
Badly Drawn Dog
(Ages 4-8)
written and illustrated by Emma Dodson
What’s a “scribbly, scratchy” dog supposed to do when he wants to be a “nicely drawn dog?” Ready for a makeover, Badly Drawn Dog consults the local artist for help. But he soon realizes that being redrawn isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. After each reincarnation, problems occur: too sharp to play with children, his friends don’t recognize him or he looks like every other dog. In the end, Badly Drawn Dog understands that it’s not about how you look, but who you are inside.
Conclusion: Children will enjoy both the moral of the story and the colorful, whimsical style of Emma Dodson’s illustrations.
RMB 165 at Poplar Kid’s Republic Bookstore
A Picture for Harold’s Room
(Ages 5-8)
written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson
Pitched at a slightly higher level for beginning readers than the classic Harold and the Purple Crayon, this title sees our young hero and his purple crayon set out on an adventure to find a picture: He draws himself into a small town where he towers over buildings, but as he progresses he gets lost and becomes smaller than a flower. How will Harold get home and find his picture? Crockett Johnson’s succinct descriptions and elegant drawings make this is a great read-aloud book for toddlers.
Conclusion: Like the other titles in the Harold series, A Picture for Harold’s Room is a tribute to the imagination.
RMB 139 at Poplar Kid’s Republic Bookstore