10+ Best Drawing Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect way to spark creativity in your little one? Drawing books for 4-year-olds can be a fantastic gateway to the world of colors, shapes, and imagination. Whether you're on the hunt for a birthday gift or just want to enrich your preschooler's daily activities, we've rounded up a variety of drawing books that promise to keep those tiny hands busy and minds engaged. Keep reading to discover our top picks for drawing books that are sure to captivate and inspire your young artist!

Fun Drawing Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World by Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This drawing book teaches children how to create a world of their own by drawing simple shapes. Ed Emberley offers easy-to-follow instructions that enable young artists to draw animals, vehicles, and more.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses clear and simple instructions that encourage creativity and confidence in drawing, which is perfect for developing motor skills at this age.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are just beginning to explore their artistic abilities.

• My First I Can Draw by Thomas Nelson
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book guides children through the process of drawing animals and other objects with simple step-by-step instructions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed to make drawing fun and accessible, helping kids enjoy the process of learning to draw which can also enhance their reading interest.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and drawing, and are starting to read.

• The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step by Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Provides a full year of artistic adventures with easy-to-follow daily drawing prompts.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a fun and engaging way to practice drawing every day, which can also help maintain a daily reading habit.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who enjoy variety and daily challenges.

• Draw With Rob: Monster Madness by Rob Biddulph
  • Genre(s): Art, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Bestselling author and artist Rob Biddulph shares his secrets to drawing monsters and other fun creatures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and playful, making the drawing process enjoyable and less intimidating for kids.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories and characters, especially monsters and mythical creatures.

• Let's Draw Cute Animals by Sachiko Umoto
  • Genre(s): Art, How-to
  • Synopsis: This charming book teaches kids how to draw a variety of cute animals with simple, illustrative examples.
  • Why we recommend this book: It focuses on drawing adorable creatures, which can capture the interest of children and encourage them to engage more with the book.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are animal lovers and enjoy seeing their creations come to life.

Educational Drawing Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Adventures in Cartooning by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: This engaging book combines the fun of creating cartoons with storytelling, guiding young artists through the basics of cartooning.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, storytelling, sequential thinking, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful and imaginative way to introduce children to drawing and narrative construction, making it more than just an art book.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories and want to tell their own through cartoons.

• Art for Kids: Drawing by Kathryn Temple
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, How-to
  • Synopsis: Provides easy-to-follow lessons on the basics of drawing, including line drawing, shading, and creating perspective.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, hand-eye coordination, basic art techniques
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex drawing concepts into simple steps that are easy for young children to understand and follow.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young artists eager to learn fundamental drawing skills.

• Drawing School: Fundamentals for the Beginner by Jim Dowdalls
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: A comprehensive guide that covers a wide range of drawing topics from basic shapes to more advanced concepts like depth and shading.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Technical drawing skills, concentration, patience
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a structured approach to learning how to draw, which can be very beneficial for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Kids who show a deeper interest in drawing and want to explore it more seriously.

• How to Draw Animals by Jack Hamm
  • Genre(s): Art, How-to
  • Synopsis: Teaches children how to draw a variety of animals using simple, step-by-step instructions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of animal anatomy, artistic expression, fine motor development
  • Why we recommend this book: It focuses specifically on animals, which can be a captivating subject for many children, encouraging them to practice and improve their drawing skills.
  • Perfect for: Young animal lovers who also enjoy drawing and want to combine their interests.

• I Can Draw Everything by Tony Tallarico
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: From animals and airplanes to knights and castles, this book shows kids how to draw almost anything they can imagine.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, creativity, visual analysis
  • Why we recommend this book: It's very inclusive and encourages children to think big and creatively, providing them with the tools to draw a wide range of subjects.
  • Perfect for: Curious young minds that have a wide range of interests and love exploring different drawing subjects.

Challenging Drawing Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Exploring the Little Artists: Advanced Drawing Techniques for Kids by Maria Chang
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book pushes young artists beyond basic shapes and figures, introducing techniques like shading, perspective, and texture.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces more complex artistic concepts that are typically taught at older ages, providing a deeper understanding of art.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps young artists develop a more refined skill set early on, which can boost their confidence and artistic expression.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are ready to take their drawing skills to the next level.

• Little Hands, Big Ideas: Advanced Drawing for Preschoolers by Clara Lee
  • Genre(s): Art, Creative Development
  • Synopsis: Focuses on nurturing creativity and advanced motor skills through drawing challenges that require precision and imagination.
  • Why this book is challenging: The drawing tasks are designed to be slightly beyond the typical capabilities of preschoolers, encouraging them to stretch their skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving through art, which are essential skills for academic and personal growth.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who show an advanced interest in drawing and challenges.

• Creative Sketching for Young Geniuses by Emma Hughes
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: Teaches advanced sketching techniques, including dynamic figure drawing and environmental sketching.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers topics that are usually reserved for older children or even adults, such as dynamic movement and detailed backgrounds.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book can significantly enhance a child’s observational skills and ability to capture life on paper.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have mastered basic drawing and are looking for more stimulating challenges.

• Art Adventures with Depth and Perspective by Lucas Foster
  • Genre(s): Art, Technique
  • Synopsis: Offers a playful exploration into drawing with depth and perspective, using familiar scenes and characters.
  • Why this book is challenging: The concepts of depth and perspective are complex for young minds, requiring them to think about art in three dimensions.
  • Why we recommend this book: Learning about perspective helps children understand spatial relationships and can improve their overall drawing and cognitive skills.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters eager to explore more sophisticated drawing techniques.

• From Lines to Life: Drawing Animals in Motion by Sophie Bennett
  • Genre(s): Art, How-to
  • Synopsis: Guides children through the process of drawing animals in various poses and actions, emphasizing movement and realism.
  • Why this book is challenging: Drawing animals in motion involves understanding anatomy and movement, which are advanced topics for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages a deeper appreciation of wildlife and enhances the ability to capture life-like movements in art.
  • Perfect for: Animal-loving kids who are interested in more than just static images and want to bring their drawings to life.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to turn your 4-year-old into a little artist while also fostering good reading habits, combining drawing with reading is a fantastic approach. Here are some fun exercises that can help your child engage with drawing books and develop a love for reading:

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Create a story based on a series of pictures from a drawing book.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and helps in understanding the sequence of events.
  • Tips: Let your child narrate the story as they see it, and you can help by writing it down.

• Match the Caption
  • What it is: Read captions aloud and have your child match them to the correct drawing.
  • How it helps: Improves reading comprehension and visual recognition.
  • Tips: Start with simple captions and gradually increase the complexity as your child improves.

• Character Coloring
  • What it is: Choose characters from the drawing book and color them while discussing the character’s role.
  • How it helps: Builds character recognition and helps in color identification.
  • Tips: Use a variety of colors and ask your child to describe why they chose certain colors for certain characters.

• Draw and Describe
  • What it is: After reading a short description from the book, your child draws what they imagine.
  • How it helps: Encourages creative thinking and improves comprehension.
  • Tips: Keep the descriptions short and straightforward to maintain your child’s interest.

• Storybook Scavenger Hunt
  • What it is: Create a scavenger hunt using items or themes from the drawing book.
  • How it helps: Enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Tips: Make the clues simple and direct to ensure your child stays engaged and doesn’t get frustrated.

These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in developing early literacy skills. By incorporating drawing into reading activities, you're providing a multi-sensory experience that is sure to captivate and educate your little one. So, grab those drawing books, and let's make learning a blast!