10+ Best Drawing Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to spark creativity in your little one? Drawing books for 5-year-olds can be a fantastic resource to help them explore their artistic side. From easy-to-follow guides to books that inspire imagination, there's a wide variety to choose from. Keep reading to discover our top picks of drawing books that are sure to captivate and engage your budding artist!

Fun Drawing Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Animals by Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: This drawing book teaches kids how to draw a wide variety of animals using simple shapes and step-by-step instructions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's fantastic for boosting creativity and fine motor skills. The instructions are easy to follow, making drawing fun and accessible.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who love animals and enjoy drawing.

• The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step by Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
  • Genre(s): Art, Activity Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Offers a full year of subjects to draw, providing simple step-by-step illustrations that make drawing easy and fun.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps keep drawing exciting with a new project every day, encouraging consistency and practice in young learners.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy daily activities and parents seeking educational but enjoyable tasks for their children.

• My First I Can Draw by Thomas Nelson
  • Genre(s): Art, How-To, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: Designed specifically for young children, this book makes drawing approachable with simple lines and shapes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes drawing less intimidating for beginners and helps develop confidence in young artists.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early school-age children just starting to explore their artistic abilities.

• Draw Here: An Activity Book by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Activity Book, Art
  • Synopsis: Combines drawing and activity prompts in a unique, engaging way that invites children to interact directly with the pages.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates not only artistic skills but also critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive and hands-on learning experiences.

• Let's Draw Cute Animals by Sachiko Umoto
  • Genre(s): Art, How-To, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: Teaches kids how to draw various cute animals with simple, step-by-step instructions that emphasize creativity and enjoyment.
  • Why we recommend this book: The adorable illustrations and clear guidance make drawing enjoyable and fulfilling.
  • Perfect for: Children who have a fondness for animals and enjoy creating cute art projects.

Educational Drawing Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Adventures in Cartooning by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Art, How-To, Graphic Novels
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the art of cartooning through an engaging story about a knight on a quest. As the adventure unfolds, readers learn how to create their own cartoons.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, storytelling, sequential art
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of a graphic novel with practical drawing lessons, making it a dynamic way to engage young artists.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love storytelling and are interested in comics and cartooning.

• I Can Draw Animals by Walter Foster Jr. Creative Team
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: Provides easy-to-follow instructions for drawing a variety of animals, from cats and dogs to more exotic creatures like kangaroos and camels.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, animal anatomy, observation skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a straightforward, instructional guide that helps kids master the basics of drawing animals in a fun and accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Children who are animal enthusiasts and budding artists looking to improve their drawing skills.

• Drawing School: Fundamentals for the Beginner by Jim Dowdalls
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: A comprehensive guide that covers various fundamental drawing techniques and principles, tailored for young learners.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic drawing techniques, understanding of shapes and shadows, artistic confidence
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a solid foundation in drawing that can benefit young artists as they progress in their artistic journey.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are serious about learning to draw and want a thorough introduction to the basics.

• How to Draw Cute Stuff by Angela Nguyen
  • Genre(s): Art, How-To
  • Synopsis: Teaches kids how to draw a wide range of cute objects and characters, from animals and food to everyday items, using simple shapes and lines.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, character design, simplifying complex forms
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for sparking creativity and making drawing feel playful and enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who delight in drawing and have a particular interest in cute, stylized art.

• Art for Kids: Drawing by Kathryn Temple
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: Provides an easy-to-understand introduction to drawing, covering essential skills and techniques through engaging activities and projects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic art skills, visual-spatial abilities, artistic expression
  • Why we recommend this. book: It's designed to be child-friendly and encourages artistic growth through practice and exploration.
  • Perfect for: Children eager to learn about art and develop their drawing capabilities.

Challenging Drawing Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Exploring Color Workshop for Kids by Elizabeth Laugeson
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book delves into the world of color through various fun and educational projects, teaching children how to mix colors and create vibrant artworks.
  • Why this book is challenging: It goes beyond basic drawing by introducing the complex concept of color theory and mixing, which can be an advanced topic for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a hands-on approach to learning about colors, which is fundamental in artistic development and can enhance a child's ability to create visually appealing drawings.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are ready to explore the colorful aspects of art beyond simple drawing.

• Master Strokes: Pastel by Ken Goldman & Stephanie Goldman
  • Genre(s): Art, Technique, How-To
  • Synopsis: Focuses on using pastels, providing step-by-step instructions and tips for creating detailed and textured artwork with this medium.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pastel drawing can be tricky due to the need for control and understanding of blending and shading techniques.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces a new medium with potential for rich, textured creations, helping to expand a child’s artistic repertoire and fine motor skills.
  • Perfect for: Children who have mastered basic drawing and are looking to challenge themselves with new techniques and materials.

• The Art of Spiral Drawing by Jonathan Stephen Harris
  • Genre(s): Art, Technique, Educational
  • The Art of Spiral Drawing_ by Jonathan Stephen Harris
  • Why this book is challenging: Spiral drawing requires precision and patience, as it involves creating patterns and designs that are more complex than basic shapes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches patience and precision, essential skills for young learners, while also providing a unique and mesmerizing artistic experience.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy patterns and are looking for a drawing challenge that is different from traditional subject matter.

• 1-2-3 Draw Knights, Castles and Dragons by Freddie Levin
  • Genre(s): Art, How-To, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A guide to drawing fantastical medieval scenes, including knights, castles, and dragons, using simple steps that build up to complex drawings.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subject matter involves a combination of architecture and mythical creatures, which requires understanding of proportions and perspective.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the imagination while teaching valuable drawing skills, perfect for enhancing creativity and technical ability.
  • Perfect for: Young artists fascinated by fantasy and history who are ready to take their skills to the next level.

• Dynamic Figure Drawing by Burne Hogarth
  • Genre(s): Art, Technique, Educational
  • Synopsis: Teaches how to draw the human figure in active poses, emphasizing movement and anatomy in a detailed and accessible manner.
  • Why this book is challenging: Understanding human anatomy and capturing movement are advanced skills that are typically challenging for young drawers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a deep dive into figure drawing, which can significantly improve a child's drawing skills and understanding of human form.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young artists interested in realistic drawing and those who want to understand the complexities of human anatomy.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your little one develop good reading habits while enjoying some fantastic drawing books, you're in the right place. Here are a few fun exercises that can make reading a regular and enjoyable part of your 5-year-old's routine.

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Create a story based on pictures from a drawing book.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and helps in understanding narrative structure.
  • Tips: Let your child narrate the story as they see it, without correcting them too much.

• Character Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes or characters from the drawing books.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes reading more interactive.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more engaging play.

• Drawing and Coloring Session
  • What it is: Draw or color scenes inspired by the book.
  • How it helps: Strengthens visual memory and association with the text.
  • Tips: Discuss the story and characters while coloring to reinforce understanding.

• Read and Discuss
  • What it is: Read a page or a passage and then discuss what happened.
  • How it helps: Improves retention and verbal skills.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to think and express.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next before turning the page.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and anticipation skills.
  • Tips: Celebrate when predictions are right and explore why if they're not.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a playful and integral part of your child's day. Give them a try and watch your little one not only improve their reading skills but also fall in love with the world of books. Happy reading and drawing!