10+ Best Drawing Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to spark creativity in your little artist? Look no further! Our curated selection of drawing books for 7-year-olds is designed to inspire and educate, making art both fun and accessible. Whether your child is just starting out or already sketching up a storm, these books offer step-by-step guides and plenty of imaginative ideas. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will surely capture the interest of young artists everywhere!

Fun Drawing Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Animals by Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: This book teaches kids how to draw a wide range of animals using simple shapes and step-by-step instructions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies drawing into fun, approachable steps that encourage creativity and confidence in young artists.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and enjoy drawing or want to learn how to draw.

• 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 engaging book guides children through creating their own cartoons, using a fun narrative and easy-to-follow comic panels.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines reading and drawing in a unique format that captivates and educates, making it both entertaining and instructional.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who have an interest in comics and storytelling through art.

• Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames
  • Genre(s): Art, Drawing, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Offers a step-by-step approach to drawing various animals, from the domestic to the exotic, using basic shapes and lines.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop fine motor skills and attention to detail, while also teaching about different animal forms.
  • Perfect for: Children who are keen on improving their drawing skills and learning more about different animals.

• 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 exploration, with simple step-by-step instructions on how to draw everything from animals to everyday objects.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers daily drawing prompts that keep kids engaged and practicing their skills throughout the year.
  • Perfect for: Young artists looking for daily creative challenges and activities.

• My First I Can Draw by Thomas Nelson
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: Designed specifically for young children, this book makes drawing approachable with simple instructions and familiar subjects like animals, vehicles, and more.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces drawing in a very accessible way, fostering early artistic expression and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early elementary-aged children just starting to explore drawing.

Educational Drawing Books for 7-Year-Olds

• How to Draw Cute Stuff by Angela Nguyen
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: This book teaches children how to draw an array of adorable objects and characters in a simple, easy-to-follow style.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, creativity, attention to detail
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with fun, engaging, and super cute drawing lessons that are perfect for beginners.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love drawing and want to add a cute twist to their creations.

• Step-by-Step Drawing Book by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Candice Whatmore
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Kids can follow the simple step-by-step instructions to draw animals, people, dinosaurs, and more.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Hand-eye coordination, understanding of proportions, imaginative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex drawings into simple steps which makes it easy for young children to follow.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who enjoy a variety of drawing subjects and want to learn basic drawing techniques.

• I Can Draw Animals by Tony Tallarico
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Provides easy-to-follow instructions for drawing a range of animals, from simple cats and dogs to more exotic creatures like kangaroos and camels.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observational skills, animal anatomy understanding, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great resource for learning to draw a wide variety of animals with simple, clear instructions.
  • Perfect for: Children who have a keen interest in animals and wish to learn how to draw them accurately.

• The Usborne Big Book of Drawing, Doodling and Coloring by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Erica Harrison
  • Genre(s): Art, Activity Book, Coloring Book
  • Synopsis: Offers a wide range of drawing, doodling, and coloring activities to inspire creativity in young artists.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, color theory, pattern recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides hours of artistic fun with a variety of creative exercises that go beyond simple drawing.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy not only drawing but also coloring and doodling, providing a comprehensive creative outlet.

• Let's Draw Cute Animals by Sachiko Umoto
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Teaches kids how to draw a range of cute animals with a few simple steps, encouraging them to add their own personal touches.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative expression, fine motor skills, basic sketching skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It emphasizes creativity and personal expression, making it more than just a typical drawing guide.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who want to explore drawing in a playful and imaginative way.

Challenging Drawing Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley by Mark Crilley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Manga
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic character drawing to full-comic creation, tailored to help young artists develop their manga drawing skills.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces advanced drawing techniques and concepts that go beyond simple shapes, including proportions, perspectives, and dynamic posing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thorough and engaging introduction to manga, offering structured lessons that inspire discipline and creativity in young artists.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring manga artists and those interested in learning to draw in a popular style while tackling more complex artistic concepts.

• The Drawing Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Teaches You How to Draw by Mark Crilley
  • Genre(s): Art, Graphic Novel, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Told through a narrative graphic novel, this book features a young boy learning from a master artist, combining storytelling with practical drawing lessons.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses the graphic novel format to teach drawing, requiring readers to engage with both the story and the lessons at a deeper level.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uniquely blends reading and drawing instruction, making the learning process engaging and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories and are interested in drawing, offering a unique approach to learning artistic skills through storytelling.

• Art for Kids: Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be by Kathryn Temple
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book teaches fundamental drawing skills using a variety of techniques and tools, aimed at developing a young artist's abilities.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a broad range of techniques, from simple lines to complex shapes and shading, encouraging a deeper understanding of art.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a solid foundation in drawing, with clear instructions and a wide range of techniques that cater to developing diverse artistic skills.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are serious about learning and mastering different drawing techniques.

• 1-2-3 Draw Knights, Castles and Dragons: A Step by Step Guide by Freddie Levin
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A detailed step-by-step guide to drawing knights, castles, and dragons, encouraging kids to delve into fantasy art.
  • Why this book is challenging: It focuses on more complex subjects that require attention to detail and an understanding of more intricate shapes and designs.
  • Why we recommend this book: It taps into the imaginative worlds of knights and dragons, making drawing an adventurous and fun activity.
  • Perfect for: Children who are fascinated by fantasy and history, and are looking to improve their drawing skills in these thematic areas.

• Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Kim Solga
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, History
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to great artists throughout history by encouraging them to recreate famous artworks with their own hands.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex art concepts and historical contexts, requiring children to understand and mimic the techniques of famous artists.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's educational and inspiring, combining art history with practical activities to foster both appreciation and artistic skill.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who show an interest in history and art appreciation, providing a deeper understanding of art's cultural impacts.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old get the most out of their drawing books, why not incorporate some fun reading exercises? These activities are designed to enhance their reading skills while keeping them engaged with their favorite drawing topics. Let's dive in!

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Create a story based on a sequence of pictures from a drawing book.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and helps with understanding sequence and storytelling.
  • Tips: Let them narrate the story to you as they see it, which can also improve their verbal skills.

• Character Description
  • What it is: Pick a character from a drawing in the book and describe it in detail.
  • How it helps: Enhances descriptive skills and vocabulary.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of vivid adjectives and ask questions to expand their descriptions.

• Drawing and Reading Combo
  • What it is: Read a short description in the drawing book and then draw it.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and translating words into images.
  • Tips: Discuss the drawing afterward to see how closely it matches the description in the book.

• Find and Explain
  • What it is: Find a specific drawing in the book and explain why it’s their favorite.
  • How it helps: Promotes critical thinking and opinion formation.
  • Tips: Encourage them to think about what makes the drawing special and how it makes them feel.

• Read and Color
  • What it is: Read instructions or descriptions before coloring a page.
  • How it helps: Reinforces following directions and attention to detail.
  • Tips: Occasionally ask them to predict the colors needed before they start coloring.

These exercises aren't just educational, they're a blast! By blending reading with their love for drawing, you'll help your child develop a stronger foundation in both creativity and literacy. Give these a try and watch them flourish in both reading and art. Happy drawing and reading!