Mutant Animals drawing books: step by step or grid?

Two books, one cast of Mutant Animals characters by cartoonist Kevin Coulston. Best for older kids who like weird mash-ups more than cute ones.

Ages 5+
By Kevin Coulston
2 books

Step by step · a great first book

How to Draw: Mutant Animals

Mutant Animals turns the familiar animal drawing book into a place for unexpected combinations. The characters are intentionally strange, making them fun subjects for kids who enjoy cartoons more than realistic wildlife sketches.

Each original creature is broken into approachable drawing stages for ages 5 and up. Once a child understands the lesson, they can experiment with their own animal mashup and decide which unusual features belong together.

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

Grid · for careful, puzzle-loving kids

Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals

A shark man, a long-legged turtle, and a cat with eight legs are the sort of odd characters waiting in Mutant Animals. The grid helps children place those unexpected parts one square at a time.

Intended for ages 5 and up, this book combines close observation with a funny animal-mashup theme. It suits a child who wants a drawing challenge that looks nothing like an ordinary animal study.

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.