Ed Emberley's Great Thumbprint Drawing Book

Ed Emberley Drawing Books

by Ed Emberley

Instructions for creating a variety of shapes and figures using thumbprints and a few simple lines.

Genres: Art, Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Crafts, Reference, How To

37 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

American artist and illustrator, best known for children's picture books.

Reviews

[Mamafeelgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had more fun with this book than my kid has. It has made me able to draw things other than stick people :)

[Shirley Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I've used it over the years at home, at school, and at church. Kids of all ages love seeing their fingerprints turn into pictures and their pictures turn into stories. Whether they are so young that you have to help them make the fingerprints, or old enough that they can make their own fingerprints and do the artwork on them, this is a fun way to be creative. Use this book to inspire kids to write and illustrate their own book or story.

[Ashley Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had this book as a kid and I still think of it when I see thumb print art! I think this should be a childhood rite of passage! Such a gem!

[Grandma M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be a fun drawing book - I just need to buck up and draw. LOL

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to get anyone into drawing. It's so simple to follow with step by step instructions on how to make so many drawings with just your thumbprint and some letters/lines.

[AnnieM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute for kids and a great activity for them, not the best for me personally.

[AnnieM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute for kids and a great activity for them, not the best for me personally.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows different things you can draw by using a thumbprint as a base. Clever and creative.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Emberley starts where most elementary-aged kids are at (stick figures) and brings drawing to the next immediate level of complexity. No shading, still just two-dimensional, but able to capture more of the world. Children tend to be very methodical and formulaic in their drawing--what they haven't seen others draw before, they tend to lack the imagination and talent to figure out (on their own) the technique for rendering it in a recognizable form. What most need is an engaging mentor that will help them simplify the complexity down to something they can comprehend and replicate. Children naturally enjoy creating their own worlds and stories through art, and this author-illustrator increases their repertoire, bringing more joy to their fingertips. While a natural artist who wants to make things look realistic may feel stifled by the approach, it will teach him/her to use basic shapes to create forms, to have an eye for detail, and to use boldness in graphic art to create impact and communicate clearly one's ideas. I would strongly recommend each of his color-themed titles (orange, purple, green, etc.), as well as his finger/thumbprint books and his "make a world" book. All will bring smiles and inspiration to young artists ages 5-12.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter has really been enjoying Ed Emberley's line of drawing books - she LOVES to draw. And I really like this one because it gave me some great ideas of things I could do with the kids' fingerprints for Mother's Day gifts for the grandmas!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

45 months - Lots of great ideas in this book and a couple weekends ago I came down to find O and Dadda busy making thumbprint creatures at the breakfast table. Totally worth the 50 cents at Goodwill. :)

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so fun! I could never really draw, so these made me feel like an artist.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do these projects with your kids. They will love it!

[Janine Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

fall booklegger program (K-4)

[Arlene Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even remember how old I was...but I loved sticking my fingers in stamp pads! Makes a great, easy craft/storytime project for toddlers and preschoolers.

[Meadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and lots of fun, great for traveling. Reminds me that we need a new stamp pad before our next trip. FYI: Get the kind that is washable.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boys had fun with this art book - great activity for summer if your kids are in regular school...

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ed Emberley's Great Thumbprint Drawing Book
Emberley, Ed
great ideas for teaching children art

[Jennifer Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and so easy to make on my own!

[Dookie Blair]

It was cool

[Giovanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book for kids and adults. My copyright is 1977, so the Goodreads listing of it saying orginally published in 86 is incorrect. I have a 1st edition, 1977

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used this several years ago as inspiration for a contest & ended up winning the contest!

Cute ideas for drawing people & animals with a thumb/fingerprint base!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I LOVED THESE BOOKS I CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT ABOUT THEM.

Yes, that.

[Paula Greenfield]

These are fun drawing thumbprints and they are easy to do.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back when my kids were very young they loved all the Ed Emberly how to draw books, he taught them how to draw, something they still enjoy as adults in their late 30’s

[Rosanne]

Take your thumbprint and make it into something! It is a great book!!