How to Draw: Into the Blue

This is the companion book to 'Into the Blue' and teaches readers step-by-step how to draw animals. It is part of the Rhyming Book Series, which includes the books Animal Surprises and The Word Bird, and their companion How to Draw books. The books are illustrated by Abbie Cameron and authored by zoologist Nicola Davies. In this book we dive into the depths of the ocean as Abbie Cameron skilfully shows readers, through simple steps, how to draw whales, seals and seahorses. Our beautiful blue planet offers more underwater living space than land, with a rich diversity of watery habitats. This book teaches you to draw some of the most amazing animals found in the world's oceans and seas. Readers are encouraged to firstly gather drawing materials. These needn't be expensive - paper, pens and colouring crayons will do. Each step in the drawing process is carefully illustrated and a straightforward explanation given. Each creature can be drawn in no more than eight steps, from start to finish. And when an illustration is complete Nicola Davies offers a fascinating 'Did You Know?' fact about the animal. For example, did you know that baby seahorses are called sea foals and that male seahorses are the ones that give birth and care for them? Did you know that whale song is the most complex communicative display made by a non-human animal? And, did you know that grey seals can dive to depths of 70 metres, where their large eyes and sensitive whiskers help then to find fish in low light conditions? This is a beautiful interactive book which really helps readers to appreciate the characteristic features of some of the most wonderful under-the-sea animals. The easy to follow instructions will help even the youngest readers to practice and develop drawing skills to enable them to feel like credible artists and grow in confidence. Nicola's carefully chosen facts help further engage readers to get to know and enjoy the animals they are drawing. This book would sit proudly in any library arts and crafts section. 32 pages / Ages 6+ / Reviewed by Emily Beale, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 7+