Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Ed Emberley Drawing Books

Ed Emberley's Big Green Drawing Book

Rate this book
Using just 9 shapes and things, Ed Emberley shows would-be artists how to draw a variety of animals, people, assorted monsters (such as Dracula and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), and more, and everything is GREEN! This hefty 96-page book is packed with fun things that kids-and not a few adults-really want to draw. Easy and fun, the book provides hours of art-full fun.

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1979

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Ed Emberley

155 books91 followers
American artist and illustrator, best known for children's picture books.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
96 (60%)
4 stars
49 (30%)
3 stars
12 (7%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Mycala.
599 reviews
September 18, 2017
I loved this book so much -- so much fun! Lots of great ideas in here for adorable critters. Some of them look like relatives of some of the creatures I draw. I love the big green dragon on the front cover. So much cute!
Profile Image for Sarah Ehinger.
838 reviews11 followers
May 21, 2020
If your child understands how to draw 9 simple shapes, they can draw a ton of things. I remember working my way through this book as a kid drawing the various creatures. These are great books for your young artist.
Profile Image for Scott.
241 reviews
September 5, 2009
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.
Profile Image for Teri.
233 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2016
This is a great book to teach drawing with. Students can draw any number of creatures (cats, dogs, dragons, monsters,) easily with the step by step directions. This would be useful in a center, or for a quick drawing lesson. These would be great for creating comic books, or graphic novels with your students. There are other books by this author just like this one. I have had a blast drawing little pictures with my own two children.
Profile Image for Chrissie.
2,811 reviews1,415 followers
February 4, 2008
OK, I have not tested this on the kids yet, and I DO think they will find it intriguing what a few shapes can turn into. Hopefully, when you know a few basics a child will let their own imagination take off. I cannot say that the book really excites me, but maybe with a little guidance children can see it as a starting point for their own drawing. Maybe.....
Profile Image for Kat.
174 reviews67 followers
January 9, 2008
My son tore through these books and drew up a storm. These were the best investment in drawing books that I made when he was young - absolutely worth every cent! My son is now an artist and Ed Emberly is part of that beginning.
Profile Image for Ed G.
33 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2007
It's Green and you can draw stuff.
Profile Image for Noel.
31 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2007
This was one of my favorites as a kid! I checked this out from the school library way too many times.
Profile Image for April.
184 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2009
My mom was throwing out all my old stuff and I came across this. I loved this when I was little.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
18 reviews
July 17, 2012
A great "how to draw" people, dragons, Halloween characters, space ships, aliens, race cars, animals, schooners, light houses and more. Excellent for the professional (or the beginner) doodler!
Profile Image for Mo.
1,229 reviews
November 5, 2013
Obviously aimed for children with easy to follow step-by-step instructions. Had Halloween & other non-green things to draw.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews