Mermaids, Unicorns and Other Cute Stuff drawing books: step by step or grid?

Two books, one cast of Mermaids, Unicorns and Other Cute Stuff characters by cartoonist Kevin Coulston. Best for kids who love sparkly, magical characters.

Ages 5+
By Kevin Coulston
2 books

Step by step · a great first book

How to Draw: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff

Mermaids, unicorns, and other sweet fantasy characters make a colorful subject for step-by-step drawing. The book gives young artists 50 original characters to build rather than a single style to imitate.

Each lesson uses the How to Draw approach for ages 5 and up. A child can follow the stages, then give a mermaid a different hairstyle or invent a new detail for a unicorn on the practice page.

See it on Amazon More about this book on FirstArtBooks.com

Grid · for careful, puzzle-loving kids

Draw by Grid: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff

A mermaid tail or unicorn silhouette can look complicated until it is divided into small squares. This fantasy grid drawing book invites kids to study one area of each cute character at a time.

Intended for ages 5 and up, it offers a patient alternative to six-step lessons. Children who like magical subjects can focus on shape and placement, then make their finished character their own.

See it on Amazon More about this book on FirstArtBooks.com

Which one should you get?

Same characters, different kinds of practice. Pick step by step for a first drawing book. Pick grid for a kid who likes puzzles, or who already has the step-by-step book.

	Step by step (How to Draw)	Grid (Draw by Grid)
What your kid does	Adds one new line or shape at a time, in six steps, then draws the whole character again.	Copies the picture one lettered square at a time onto a matching blank grid.
Feels like	Learning how a cartoonist builds a character.	A calm drawing puzzle.
Best for	A first drawing book, ages 5 and up.	Careful, patient kids and anyone who likes accuracy.
Builds	Seeing shapes inside characters, following directions, confidence.	Observation, proportion and pencil control.

Getting both? Many families start with the step-by-step book, then add the grid book when their kid wants a calmer challenge with the same characters.