10+ Best How To Draw Books for 8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to nurture creativity in your budding artist? Look no further! Our guide to the best How To Draw Books for 8-Year-Olds is packed with top picks that promise to keep those little hands busy and imaginations running wild. Whether your child is a beginner or already sketching up a storm, these books offer step-by-step instructions that are perfect for young learners. Keep reading to discover our favorite selections that will help unlock your child’s artistic potential!

Fun How To Draw Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World by Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: This drawing book encourages children to create a world of their own by combining simple shapes and lines to make complex and fun drawings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's incredibly user-friendly and turns the process of drawing into a fun game. This can help boost creativity and confidence in young artists.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love drawing and using their imagination to craft stories and scenes.

• Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Art, Comics, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This interactive book teaches kids how to create their own comics using simple step-by-step instructions and a playful narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the joy of storytelling with drawing, enhancing both literacy and artistic skills in a fun, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young aspiring cartoonists and storytellers.

• Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: A step-by-step guide that teaches children how to draw fifty different animals using basic shapes and easy-to-follow instructions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop a keen eye for form and detail while nurturing a love for animals and art.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young nature enthusiasts who enjoy sketching.

• The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step by Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Offers a full year of creative prompts that teach kids how to draw anything from animals and objects to people and scenery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides daily practice, which is key in improving drawing skills, and keeps the creative juices flowing all year round.
  • Perfect for: Kids who need daily activities and those who thrive on routine and structured learning.

• How to Draw Cute Stuff: Draw Anything and Everything in the Cutest Style Ever! by Angela Nguyen
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book guides young artists through the process of drawing adorable characters and objects in a cute, distinctive style.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for boosting artistic skills while drawing universally appealing, cute characters that kids love.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who are fans of kawaii culture and enjoy adding a touch of cuteness to their drawings.

Educational How To Draw Books for 8-Year-Olds

• How to Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine V. Holmes
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: This book teaches kids how to draw cool objects and figures with simple step-by-step instructions, focusing on shading, perspective, and creating 3D effects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Drawing techniques, spatial awareness, artistic perception
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex drawing techniques into manageable steps, making it easier for kids to grasp advanced concepts.
  • Perfect for: Young artists interested in enhancing their drawing skills and learning more about artistic concepts.

• Drawing for Kids: How to Draw Number Cartoons Step by Step by Rachel Goldstein
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: This unique drawing book uses numbers as the base for creating fun, engaging cartoons, helping children see the fun side of numbers and art.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Number recognition, creativity, motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively integrates math with art, making it a fun way for kids to learn about numbers and improve their drawing skills.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy both drawing and numbers, and those who benefit from visual learning.

• How to Draw Animals for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Cute Animals by Anita Valle
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: Offers easy-to-follow instructions for drawing a variety of cute animals, from household pets to exotic wildlife.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Attention to detail, understanding animal shapes and forms, hand-eye coordination
  • Why we recommend this book: It's specifically designed for young beginners and uses a friendly, approachable style that makes drawing animals easy and enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and are eager to learn how to draw them accurately and cutely.

• Learn to Draw... Unicorns, Mermaids & More (Easy Step-by-Step Drawing Guide) by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Candice Whatmore
  • Genre(s): Art, Fantasy, Instructional
  • Synopsis: A magical drawing book that guides children through the process of drawing fantastical creatures like unicorns and mermaids.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, fine motor skills, understanding mythical creature anatomy
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the enchantment of fantasy creatures and provides clear, simple instructions that make drawing them accessible.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and fans of fantasy who want to bring mythical beings to life on paper.

Challenging How To Draw Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley by Mark Crilley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Manga
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive guide dives into the intricate details of drawing manga, covering everything from basic character sketches to full scenes and backgrounds.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces advanced concepts of manga art, including dynamic posing, complex emotions, and detailed settings, which are typically not covered in children's drawing books.
  • Why we recommend this book: Mark Crilley's expertise provides a solid foundation in manga art, encouraging precision and creativity in budding artists.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring manga artists and kids who want to delve deeper into the art of Japanese comics.

• Drawing Animals in Colored Pencil by Debra Kauffman Yaun
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Teaches the techniques of drawing lifelike animals using colored pencils, from basic shapes to realistic textures and color blending.
  • Why this book is challenging: It requires mastery of color use and an understanding of light and shadow, which are more advanced artistic concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop a deeper artistic skill set, including color theory and texturing, which are crucial for creating vibrant, realistic artwork.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are ready to explore the complexities of colored pencil techniques.

• The Art of Drawing Optical Illusions by Jonathan Stephen Harris
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Optical Illusions
  • Synopsis: Offers step-by-step instructions on how to create optical illusions on paper, teaching techniques to trick the eye and mind.
  • Why this book is challenging: Creating optical illusions involves understanding perspective, geometry, and visual perception, which are advanced topics for young artists.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces a fun and intellectually stimulating form of art that enhances spatial thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles and challenges, and who are interested in combining art with elements of visual trickery.

• Figure Drawing for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing People by Angela Rizza
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Human Anatomy
  • Synopsis: Teaches how to draw human figures for kids, with an emphasis on proportions, movements, and various poses.
  • Why this book is challenging: Drawing human anatomy correctly requires understanding proportions and how the body moves, which can be complex for children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a solid introduction to figure drawing, which is a fundamental skill in art, enhancing observation and depiction of human form.
  • Perfect for: Young artists interested in sketching people and learning more about human anatomy through art.

• Perspective Made Easy by Ernest R. Norling
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Perspective
  • Synopsis: Breaks down the concepts of perspective drawing into understandable steps, teaching young artists how to create a sense of depth and space.
  • Why this book is challenging: Perspective drawing involves understanding geometric principles and visualizing spaces in three dimensions, which are advanced skills for young learners.
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies a critical aspect of artistic training, making it accessible and engaging, which is essential for realistic drawing.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are keen on improving their technical drawing skills and want to tackle more sophisticated art projects.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

If you're looking to help your 8-year-old dive into the world of drawing books, fostering good reading habits is a great place to start! Here are some engaging exercises that can make reading more fun and fruitful for them.

• Create a Reading Corner
  • What it is: Set up a special place in your home dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Creates a comfortable and inviting environment that can make reading a more enjoyable experience.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with their favorite cushions, lights, or decorations.

• Book Themed Days
  • What it is: Dedicate a day to read and do activities related to a particular book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention by immersing the child in the book's themes and subjects.
  • Tips: Choose books that can be associated with fun activities, like drawing or outdoor adventures.

• Reading Challenge Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart that tracks the number of books your child reads.
  • How it helps: Encourages a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to read more.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards for reaching milestones to keep the motivation high.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: After reading a book, have your child draw scenes or characters from the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and allows the child to express creativity.
  • Tips: Discuss the story with your child to inspire their drawings and ensure they understand the book.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Before finishing a story, ask your child to predict the ending.
  • How it helps: Enhances analytical thinking and engagement with the reading material.
  • Tips: Discuss their predictions and the actual outcomes to encourage critical thinking.

• Book Club for Kids
  • What it is: Organize a small group of your child’s friends to read the same book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Improves social skills and comprehension through discussion and debate.
  • Tips: Keep the group small and manage it with fun activities related to the book.

Incorporating these exercises into your 8-year-old's reading routine can not only improve their reading skills but also make the process a lot more enjoyable. Happy reading and drawing!