Drawing Cute Animals Shape by Shape Review

Does your little one want to practice drawing but find it hard to get started? Get her a copy of Drawing Cute Animals Shape by Shape and she'll be good to go in no time. This book is the latest addition to the Drawing Shape by Shape series by best-selling author Christopher Hart.

About the Book:

It’s so easy to learn to draw adorable animals when you start with super simple shapes!

With Christopher Hart’s Shape by Shape method, your child can be drawing adorable animals in minutes! Starting with a circle, square, triangle, or other simple shape, it’s almost like magic to see it transform into a bear or a sloth or an orca by following the super simple step-by-step illustrations, more than 700 in all! The book’s special layflat binding makes it easy for your child to open up to any page and follow along on their own sheet of paper.

My Review:

With over 700 step-by-step illustrations for 110+ adorable animals, Drawing Cute Animals Shape by Shape is a highly accessible and enjoyable art instruction book that makes drawing super simple and fun for young learners. No prior training or reading is needed to understand and follow the straightforward steps from start to finish.

The book starts with a short introduction explaining how simple shapes like circles, half circles, triangles, squares and rectangles can be used either separately or jointly to represent different body parts and add fun details to a cartoon character. The following chapters are organized by animal varieties and their habitats, including babies, birds, sea creatures and more. The book not only teaches how to draw playful pictures, but also introduces various animal species, some of which may be new or unfamiliar to many early readers, such as axolotl, capybara and quoll.

Sturdy and easy to use, the book allows young readers to pick and choose which animals they want to draw and to proceed at their own pace. There's no specific order to follow and no perfect drawing skills are required to recreate any of the pictures. A convenient index is included in the back to provide easy access to an animal portrait based on its name.

Being amusingly cute and expressive, the drawings in the book inspire children to be imaginative, empathetic, and attentive to details. The final step of each drawing, in particular, leaves ample room for creativity. Budding artists are given the freedom to customize their critter characters with their favorite colors and backgrounds.

Fun-filled and carefully crafted, Drawing Cute Animals Shape by Shape helps spark young children's interest in art while boosting their confidence, creativity, and ability to study independently.

Purchase link: Amazon

The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Internationally renowned for its vast collection of masterpieces, Louvre, the world's largest art museum, is frequently recognized and remembered by its gorgeous Pyramid Entrance. How much do you know about the story behind this iconic architecture? Check out award-winning author Jeanne Walker Harvey’s upcoming picture book The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei. Enter to win a signed copy and a Louvre tote bag, or a classroom set of 30 copies!

My Review:

Well-researched and succinctly written, The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei provides a highly accessible and captivating recount of how I.M. Pei managed to accomplish the redesign project for Louvre, commemorating the late architect's incredible talent and tenacity.

Impressed by his modernist design for the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., the French president entrusted I.M. Pei to redesign the Louvre Museum with easier access and greater appeal for visitors worldwide. Inspired by the designs of both French and Chinese gardens, I.M. came up with the brilliant idea of a glass pyramid. During the process of translating his idea into reality however, he not only had to tackle technical challenges, but also had to endure substantial social and political pressures, largely due in part to his Chinese-American identity. Staying calm but persistant, I.M. succeeded in delivering another masterpiece that left everyone in awe.

Based on true events and personal accounts, the book recaptures the process through which a well-established architect completed a demanding project from start to finish while highlighting the various formidable challenges he had to overcome. The engaging narrative demonstrates how intelligence, patience and perseverance contribute to I.M. Pei's admirable achievements, motivating young readers to become creative problem-solvers, to stand up against prejudice and discrimination, and to defend their decision through determination, diligence and solid skills.

By acknowledging the influence of I.M.'s ethnic background and childhood experience on his unique design, the story implies that we should embrace our cultural identity and learn to appreciate the beauty of diversity. In the meantime, it serves as a real-life example of how to identify a problem, clarify one's goals, and work out a feasible solution. The book's back matter goes further to introduce what an architect's job typically involves, and to include a brief biography of I.M. Pei, along with a more detailed description of the technical issues briefly mentioned in the story and how each of them get resolved.

Informative and inspiring, The Glass Pyramid is an educational read for everyone, especially those who aspire to a career in architecture.

About the Book:

Ages: 4+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum / Simon & Schuster (2025) | ISBN: 978-1665953337

In 1981, I. M. Pei was on a mission. A successful architect known for his modern designs, Pei was asked by the French president to redesign the Louvre Museum in Paris, home to the Mona Lisa and now famous for the glass pyramid at its center. At the time, the Louvre had many problems and no pyramid.

Pei faced many obstacles, including discrimination because he was Chinese American. Determined to succeed and make the Louvre a welcome place for all, Pei worked hard—and sometimes in secret. This is the story of a visionary who worked patiently and persistently to solve problems and achieve his goals: to plant and grow a glass pyramid.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Can you imagine wearing a heavy helmet and painting with a steel pencil on a zinc plate six fathoms under the sea? That's how Else Bostelmann managed to paint deep-sea creatures as she saw them at a time before underwater photography was invented. Follow the artist's remarkable adventure in award-winning author Jeanne Walker's upcoming book Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep. Enter to win a fantastic prize pack including 30 copies of the book and various swags like bookbag, notebook, stickers and more!

My Review:

Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep is an inspiring and informative picture book biography of woman artist Else Bostelmann. Powered by her passion for painting, Else, at the age of 50, ventures into the depths of the ocean in her swimsuit and a copper diving helmet, connected by a tube to a boat off the coast of Bermuda. She's on a mission to turn what she observes under the sea into artwork. After experimenting with different tools and techniques, she creates paintings that not only capture the breathtaking beauty of the undersea world, but also present many previously unknown deep-sea creatures with scientific precision. Published in the National Geographic magazine during the Great Depression, Else's paintings provide people with an eye-opening experience as well as a way to escape their worries.

Unlike a typical biography that recounts someone's life events in chronological order, the book starts with a suspenseful scene that instantly grabs the readers' attention and arouses their interest. As the story unfolds, readers, along with Else, get deeply immersed in the fascinating underwater wonderland recreated through an engaging narrative greatly enhanced by detailed, animated, whimsical illustrations.

By honoring a brave, talented woman's incredible contributions to art and science, the biography suggests that it is never too late to start following your passion, focusing on what you love, and making your mark on the world. Else's ground-breaking adventure inspires young readers to conquer their fear of the unknown, to tackle challenges with creativity, and to make new discoveries through exploration and experimentation. The book concludes with more information about Else Bostelmann and explanation for some of the scientific terms to facilitate a better understanding of the story and its messages.

Beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated, Else B. in the Sea makes a smart summer reading choice that helps cultivate children's love for nature, for art, for science, and for the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitat.

About the Book:

Ages 5-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Cameron Kids/ Abrams Books | ISBN-13: 9781949480283

A poetic picture book biography about a daring and pioneering woman artist that combines themes of art and science. A perfect STEAM book!

Else Bostelmann donned a red swimsuit and a copper diving helmet and, with paints and brushes in hand, descended into the choppy turquoise sea off the coast of Bermuda. It was 1930, and few had ventured deep into the sea before. She discovered a fairyland six fathoms below the surface—fantastic coral castles, glittering sunbeams, swaying sea plumes, and slender purple sea fans. And fish! Flashy silverfish, puckering blue parrotfish, iridescent jellyfish. Else painted under the sea! She painted what she saw with her own eyes.

Back on land, Else painted the never-before-seen deep-sea creatures described by world-renowned scientist William Beebe on his momentous 1930s bathysphere expeditions for the New York Zoological Society’s Department of Tropical Research. It was a daring and glamorous adventure and a dream come true for Else B., who shared this new, unfathomable world with humankind.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Art by Marin Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Art is an expression. Art is a talent. Art is also the name of award-winning author-illustrator Marin Darmonkow's latest book. Get a glimpse of this one-of-a-kind picture book and enter to win a signed hardcover copy along with $50 PayPal cash!

My Review:

Set in a fictional kingdom, Art tells a compelling story about an amazingly gifted autistic circus artist Art and his sidekick, an old plush teddy bear. The duo magically disappears after their last performance, leaving behind a folder filled with Art's artwork. As we flip through the wordless drawings, we watch Art play music, practice before the show, perform acrobatic stunts defying gravity, and wow his royal audience.

Aside from a brief introductory passage, the story with two non-verbal main characters is told solely through illustrations that showcase Art's incredible artistic talent as well as his passion for performing on stage. With Art in the spotlight and the royals dimmed in the background, the author utilizes the high contrast between light and shadow to accentuate how the artist shines on the stage like a crownless king. While its art style leaves considerable room for interpretation, the book invites young readers to tell the story in their own words and to enrich it with their own imagination.

Creative and inspiring, this unique book celebrates the unspeakable charm of an autistic artist while encouraging everyone to tap into their potential and "DO WHAT YOU DREAM."

About the Book:

34 Pages | Publisher: Fontreal
ISBN-13: 9781989661215

Art is autistic and artistic.

Art has just one friend – his teddy bear.

Art does not speak, but he makes art. Art that dismisses gravity.

The publication crowns the artist and turns royalty into a mere audience. The sophisticated illustrations inspire readers to express their emotions, verbalize their feelings, and create their own stories.

Purchase Link: Amazon

My Love For You Is Like a Garden Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Instead of simply repeating "I love you", have you tried different ways to express your love for your little one? How about associating love with something they can see, smell, hear, touch or feel in the natural world, like what award-winning author Laura Smetana does in her most recent picture book My Love For You Is Like a Garden? Get inspired by this sweet read and enter to win a signed copy inside a tote bag filled with art and gardening supplies!

My Review:

My Love For You Is Like a Garden is a beautiful and delightful book that innovatively turns plants, flowers and animals in a garden into vivid symbols of love. Each page features a short sentence comparing love to a tangible garden element, accompanied by a bright-colored cut-paper watercolor collage that corresponds to the metaphor. The language is simple but well thought-out to engage the reader's senses as well as imagination. For example, the book describes love "as warm as the radiant sun" and "as cheerful as the robin's song." Enhanced by its blend of vibrant colors and multi-step collaging process, the artwork is exceptionally lively and uplifting.

Besides making a rather abstract concept like LOVE more concrete and easier to understand, the book also teaches about various species of plants, flowers and animals that can be found in a garden. An illustrated glossary is included toward the end inviting young readers to search and find the highlighted items in the main body of the book. My son's favorite part of this activity is to look for the adorable ladybug that gets hidden on almost all pages. We double- and triple checked together to make sure not a single one had been overlooked.

Visually pleasing with heartwarming messages, the book not only encourages the readers to feel and express love, but may also spark their interest in gardening and exploring nature. It makes an expressive gift for a loved one on any occasion!

About the Book:

All Ages | 38 Pages
Publisher: Flying Cardinal Press | ISBN-13: 9781737140962

With bright, watercolor collages, My Love for You Is Like a Garden celebrates unconditional love with vibrant garden scenes that will delight fans of Lois Ehlert and Eric Carle. Perfect for baby showers, bedtime read-alouds, or anyone you love!

Say “I love you” with this charming picture book families will love reading together over and over again. Bold, colorful illustrations of flowers, butterflies, and animals will inspire readers of all ages to explore the natural world⁠—and maybe even plant their own garden. Children will delight in finding ladybugs hidden throughout, and a glossary provides the names of each plant and animal featured. A beautiful book to share with a child, parent, or anyone who means the world to you!

My Love for You is Like a Garden Activity Kit – Free Download

Purchase Links: Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website

Lulu the Beaver Blog Tour: Review and Prize Packs Giveaway

Have you ever considered giving up a goal because it seems too ambitious to achieve? Do you hesitate to follow your heart because it may mean deviating from what you are supposed to do? Then you will certainly find Lulu the Beaver speaks to you. This debut picture book by Bethany Gano has won the gold medal of the 2022 President's Award for Children's Book Illustration from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. Check it out and enter to win one of two fun-filled prize packs!

My Review:

Characterized by whimsical artwork and life-changing messages, Lulu the Beaver tells an imaginative and inspiring story about a little beaver with a big dream. Lulled by the beautiful sounds of the forest, Lulu loves to daydream and indulge in her desire to become an artist. But when encouraged to show her work to the world, she chews up her creation in a hurry and hides herself away underwater. Torn between the thoughts about what she could do and what she should do, Lulu runs into a very special visitor, whose ingenious invention helps her make up her mind to be herself - a beaver and an artist.

Lulu's story gently reflects a youngster's anxiety about fitting in with a humorous touch. It sheds light on how to defuse negative thoughts about oneself and how to resist the pressure to live up to other people's expectations. Meanwhile, the book suggests that it takes courage and determination to pursuit a passion and to unleash opportunities for your talent to flourish. It also hints at what friends and family could do to support a child's journey of self-discovery.

Featuring the use of rich, bold contrasting colors and a combination of various visual art forms, the book will enchant young readers while empowering them to act on their dreams and embrace their unique selves!

About the Book:

Ages 5+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Bunny Books | ISBN-13: 9781736147269

In a colony full of busy beavers, one bashful beaver is hiding a gigantic secret.

Lulu tries to be a typical beaver, but her dream of being an artist is getting out! Despite her friends’ encouragement, Lulu’s struggle with fear and self-doubt has led her into a pattern of destroying her artwork — until an unexpected encounter changes Lulu, and the forest, for good.

With funny asides, sound effects, and elements of comic-book style, this eye-opening tale urges kids to confront gloomy thinking and gives them the courage to bravely share their gifts.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Author's Website

Craft-tastic Artist’s Creative Challenges Box Giveaway {Life's A Beach Giveaway Hop}

Got a budding artist in the house? Let their creativity bloom with this fun-filled Artist's Box from Craft-tastic!

The Craft-tastic Artist's Box contains seven challenges that prompt kids to use their imagination to create seven original pieces of art, such as a mobile, a collage, a sculpture, a self-portrait and more. Inside the box, you will find an assortment of quality materials to help your little artist complete the challenges. It includes: 7 pieces of tissue paper, 2 yards of cotton embroidery thread, 4.3 yards of cotton twine, 6 pom poms, 2 styrofoam balls, 7 chenille stems, 4 paper straws, 7 feathers, 4 pieces of paper, 1 piece of cardboard, 2 pieces of double-sided tape, 1 oz of water-based glue and 7 challenge cards with mulitple prompts for each creative challenge.

The Official Doodle Boy™ Coloring Book Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway (3 Winners)

Have you ever heard about the Doodle Boy? An 11 year old named Joe Whale, who is known for what he loves and does best -- doodling! The Official Doodle Boy™ Coloring Book offers a collection of his artwork as coloring pages, which allow everyone to add their own creative touch to Joe's pictures. Learn more about this fun book and enter to win a copy!

My Review

Flipping through The Official Doodle Boy™ Coloring Book feels like taking an unguided tour inside a child's busy and imaginative mind. You may expect to encounter all sorts of aliens, monsters, animals, plants, mythical creatures, and even food items, going wild, taking unconventional shapes and making funny faces! Some of them look scary, some of them appear angry, but most of them seem to be having tremendous fun, in a rather wacky and crazy way. I can easily visualize many of the never-before-seen creations in this book turning into cute characters in graphic novels or motion pictures. Kids who appreciate humor and creativity are sure to enjoy this one-of-a-kind coloring book.

Besides sharing his vivid imaginations with the world, the young artist also promotes positive messages through captions in his drawings. "Everyone is different." "Everyone is a superhero." "Read books" "Think" are examples of my favorites. While the coloring pages are not organized by any particular theme, the call for diversity and individuality is quite pronounced throughout the collection. Few of the drawings feature a single object or creature taking the center stage. The success of the Doodle Boy is a great inspiration for kids who long to pursue their passion and make their voice heard.

About the Book:

Ages 4-10 | 96 Pages
Publisher: Dover Publications | ISBN-13: 9780486849003

Welcome to a fantastic world of doodles! Over 90 pages of awesome art are waiting for your creative color choices to make them your own. The delightful doodles are the original creations of Joe Whale, also known as the “Doodle Boy,” an inspirational young artist who’s been painting and drawing from a very young age. Join the fun with these playful pictures and ready-to-color doodles!

Order your own copy: Amazon | Bookshop

We Can Color: Fun & Facts Coloring Books Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

As one of my kids' favorite screen-free activities, drawing and coloring has become a part of their daily routine. We've got quite a collection of coloring books on hand, but still the We Can Color series by Daniel Gershkovitz is able to amaze us with its exceptional quality and unique features. Learn more about the series and enter to win one of two awesome prize packs!

My Review:

The We Can Color books are certainly not your average coloring books and they offer so much more than refining your child's motor skills. Each of the 11 books in the series is essentially a coloring book and an illustrated science book rolled into one. With each book focusing on a specific theme, the series covers a wide range of topics that are popular among children, such as space, nature, animals, and moving vehicles. The pictures are not only realistic, but are also filled with fascinating details that help practice patience and precision, as well as opening opportunities for creativity.

Each coloring page is accompanied by a page of relevant fun facts that are backed by scientific research and that provide a fair amount of reading and vocabulary building. The scope of knowledge involved is incredible! I believe the books offer an eye-opening learning experience for the grown-ups as well. Coloring books usually see the end of their usefulness once the coloring is done. Fortunately, that's not the case for the We Can Color series. Children are tempted to go back to the books and read them over and over again as picture books that are partially illustrated by the readers themselves!

While all the books in the series are wonderful, my kids do have their own favorites. As an avid fan of planes, my middle son loves the The Coolest Aircraft in the World! best. My oldest is most interested in Space Technology and Our Solar System! and my youngest can't have enough of The Great Animals of the Ocean! So, that's the nice thing about owning the entire series -- there is something for everyone in the family^_^ If you're to buy just one set of coloring books for your little ones this summer, We Can Color is definitely the one I'd recommend.

Studio In A Box Art Supply Kit Giveaway {Oh! The Places You'll Go! Giveaway Hop}

Now that the kids are back to school, have you started thinking about after school activities that will keep them busy, entertained and (hopefully) learning at the same time? If you are looking for art supplies for your budding artist, I've got the perfect product to recommend -- Studio In A Box Art Supply Kit from Kids Made Modern.

Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award in 2017, the Studio In A Box Art Supply Kit is packed with over 60 pieces of high quality tools and supplies to help you get started with sketching, painting, coloring and creating. It includes:

16 colored pencils
3 drawing pencils
10 washable markers
10 acrylic paints
12 watercolor paints
3 crayon discs
1 wooden pencil sharpener
1 eraser
1 small round brush
1 medium round brush
1 large round brush
1 flat brush
1 fan brush
4 canvas boards
1 watercolor paper pad
1 mixed paper pad
1 carrying case with handle

Each paintbrush inside the kit is clearly labeled with its proper name and instructions on how best to use it. The sturdy and stylish carrying case that the kit comes in not only keeps everything well organized but also makes it easy to take your supplies anywhere you go and feel inspired. The kit has a retail value of $39.99, but for a limited time, you can save $10 when you order it on Amazon.

All Things Star Wars Prize Pack Giveaway {Be Present Giveaway Hop}

If you're a Star Wars fan who tries to collect all things Star Wars, you certainly don't want to miss the fun-filled art and craft kits from Quarto that allow you to build your favorite papercraft scenes or learn to draw iconic Star Wars characters. Learn about three kits from Quarto's collection and enter to win them all!

Star Wars: Build a Scene: Build Papercraft Scenes from a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ARV $19.99)

Star Wars: Build a Scene includes everything you need to make iconic papercraft scenes from the Star Wars universe. The kit provides ten sheets of punch-out pieces and step-by-step instructions for creating three detailed 5" x 8" x 4" paper dioramas, including one with LED lights.

Re-create the drama of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader’s duel on Mustafar from Revenge of the Sith; the nail-biting trench battle on the Death Star from A New Hope; and the Kylo Ren and Rey lightsaber fight in the snowy forest of the Starkiller Base from The Force Awakens. The accompanying book includes illustrated assembly instructions for the models, along with three essays on each classic scene and how they were designed and filmed.

Each model takes roughly 2–4 hours to build.

Star Wars Master Models R2-D2 (ARV $24.99)

Relive R2-D2's heroic adventures in galactic history and build a foot-tall paper model

Pay your respects to the smallest (and maybe sassiest) hero from the Star Wars Universe, R2-D2, with Star Wars Master Models R2-D2. This is one of the toughest, little R2 units anyone has ever seen!

Without R2-D2, where would the galaxy be? Queen Amidala wouldn’t have escaped from Naboo, Luke Skywalker wouldn’t have trained under Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Princess Leia would have been executed by Darth Vader on the Death Star.

Now with Star Wars Master Models: R2-D2 you can give this little droid his due by following his many adventures as he saves the galaxy time and again. Then build the ultimate papercraft model of everyone’s favorite R2 unit, complete with lights and sound!

Star Wars Master Models: R2-D2 includes die-cut pieces with metallic-ink printing, push-button lights, a sound chip, and detailed instructions on how to construct the model—everything you need to build a one-foot tall model of R2-D2.

Plus, this kit includes a paperback book that begins with R2-D2’s early days on Naboo and artfully brings to life those key moments in the Star Wars saga when his quick action saves the day. Relive the adventures, learn new details from the Star Wars universe, and make an awesome model to display.

Dover Publications Holiday Reading Blog Tour: Storybooks & Crafts Prize Pack Giveaway

Origami has recently become a new hobby for my boys, who love to bring me something new they've created every day. I'm sure they would be excited to see their favorite characters from classic stories come to life in the form of origami crafts. Dover Publications has made this easy by offering a collection of storybooks with origami paper and instructions. Enter to win a fabulous prize pack featuring these books, just in time for the holiday season!

About the Books:

Alice in Wonderland Origami
Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale comes to colorful new life in this beautifully illustrated storybook/craft guide combination. A modern retelling of Alice’s adventures is accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions for folding all the major characters: Alice herself, the White Rabbit, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, The Queen of Hearts, and more. Plus, the book also includes 42 ready-to-fold sheets of origami paper

Beauty and the Beast Origami
After enjoying a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale, boys and girls can create many of the characters and props with the 45 sheets of pre-printed origami paper included. Features full-color and easy-to-follow instructions for folding Bella and her beautiful white horse, the Beast and his castle, the fairy, one of the wolves, a rose, the clock, and a crown.

Colortime Crafts and Markers Discount Code

It's not too early to start thinking about Halloween, is it? I'm sure the kids will be thrilled to carry around one of these glow-in-the-dark tote bags for their trick-or-treating. Better yet, they can use the special markers from Colortime Crafts and Markers to color their bags anyway they like. So each bag will be a unique creation!

Save on birthday parties and sleepovers with Colortime Crafts and Markers coloring pillowcases, t-shirts, backpacks, permanent fabric markers, and more. Be sure to check out their NEW special glow-in-the-dark ink items. Enjoy clean, easy, and affordable crafts activity that doubles as a unique keepsake!

Ready to shop? Get 15% Off any order at Colortime Crafts and Markers with code: FGH15.

Click on this link to access the latest online special offers and promo codes for Colortime Crafts and Markers.

Disclosure: I will receive a free product in exchange for this publication.

Craft Books and 2018 Calendars Review & Giveaway (ARV $67) {Hello Autumn Giveaway Hop}

Do you love to color and decorate? Would you like to give your brain some good workout by solving complex puzzles? Are you ready for a better organized year ahead? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you sure don't want to miss the fun craft books and calendars I'm going to introduce to you today.

Brain Bend: Extreme Architecture Mazes to Decode and Color by Mister Mourao
Rockport Publishers | USD: $15.99

Brain Bend is a unique book featuring 25 wild, vibrant, architecturally themed mazes, along with black-and-white versions of the same artwork for coloring in. The stunning, mind-bending designs, range in style from joyfully freeform to impressively structured, offer a stimulating visual challenge to maze and coloring enthusiasts. It also includes maze solutions at the back of the book. And the perforated pages make it easy to remove the designs, and high-quality, heavy, uncoated paper make them a pleasure to solve and color.

This is such a brilliant book which combines the fun of coloring and maze solving! I have never seen anything like it before. Visually compelling and challenging, each maze features various architectural shapes and structures drawn in 3D. The author provides three versions for each maze: fully colored, partially colored, and black-and-white. The fully colored versions are provided by the author as inspiration for coloring the templates; the partially colored version makes it easier to solve the maze; and the black-and-white version opens up all possibilities for creativity. The book also includes two fold-out pages with mega mazes. Offering hours of creative and entertaining activities, Brain Bend is an excellent book for both children and grown-ups to relax and stretch their minds.

Draw, Color, and Sticker Creative Lettering Sketchbook: An Imaginative Illustration Journal by Marissa Giambrone
Quarry Books | USD: $19.99

Draw, Color, and Sticker Creative Lettering offers page after page of beautiful inspiration designed to get you drawing letters! Stickers and partially illustrated pages provide a rich canvas to encourage you to practice drawing with a multitude of elements and across multiple themes. Black and white drawings with touches of color will get you started, and invites further experimentation. The uncoated paper stock is perfect for drawing, painting, and coloring with any variety of materials. The included stickers are printed on soft uncoated paper so they can take color or additional drawing on top!

Any book with stickers is a sure win with the kiddos and this book is no exception. It contains 500 stickers that are either colored or waiting to be colored by the creative minds and hands. This book has convinced me that letters are not just for words and that they can turn into stunning artwork through changes in style and color. It's amazing to discover in this book so many different forms letters can take: illuminated, shadow, woodland, inside out, creature, floral, just to name a few. I love how the book provides step-by-step exercises to help beginners master the art of creative lettering, which can be used to add a unique touch to banners, signs, greeting cards, and handwritten letters. Besides easy to follow tutorials, the book also provides helpful prompts and ample space for your own creation. Feel free to enhance it with the stickers and fun quotes included in the back of the book!

Art and Craft Supplies Giveaway: Win Over $260 in Prizes (2 Winners)!

When the kids are back in school, moms may be able to commit a bit more time to their hobby, such as knitting and crafting. Enter to win one of two packages of craft supplies to help you express your creativity!

Hosted by PaulaMS' Giveaways, Reviews, & Freebies
Co-Hosted by The Minister's Wife, Deliciously Savvy and Beyond Attachment Parenting

Coats and Clark Grand Prize Package

Make It Coats is the place to discover all that Coats and Clark, the world’s largest supplier of crafting products, has to offer. If you love textile crafting, this is a place especially for you. Feed your creativity and be inspired. Whether you’re a beginner, casual hobbyist or seasoned professional, there’ll be something for you here.

CREO Originals Hair Care Trilogy & Art Prints Giveaway (ARV $283) #CreoOriginals

Have you ever tried salon quality hair care products featuring original artwork from arising artists on their packaging? The combination of original salon formula and original fine art is what sets CREO Originals apart from any other hair care brand. Their products are not only effective but also eco-friendly. Show your support for their newly launched Kickstarter campaign and enter to win an amazing prize pack valued $283!

CREO Originals NEW Kickstarter Campaign allows people to own and enjoy beautiful fine art daily, and at the same time connect with the artist who created the art, just by buying products they already use.

CREO promotes undiscovered artists by adorning their original salon products with original fine art. They just launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the capital required to promote their products and artists on a national level.

CREO's original salon formulas are proven effective and have been perfected through testing with hundreds of salon customers and stylists. CREO products feel good, smell good and are proven to help reverse and prevent all forms of hair damage and color loss, leaving hair softer, shinier and stronger.

X-Port Professional Expandable Art Portfolio Case Giveaway (ARV $110)

Are you looking for an easy solution to carrying around over-sized documents such as paintings, posters, or photos? Your search may end with the X-Port Professional Expandable Art Portfolio Case. Enter to win one for yourself or someone you love! It could be an awesome Father's Day gift as well.

Sponsored by: X-Port

Hosted by: Michigan Saving and More

Co Hosted By:

Deliciously Savvy

God's Growing Garden

Kaisy Daisy's Corner

X-Port Professional Expandable Art Portfolio Case for Art Canvas, Advertising, Foam Boards, Photography, Presentation Aids, Product Samples, Monitors, or Documents. Opens up to 6" Depth for Insertion When Expanded. You may read Michigan Saving and More review HERE.

One lucky person will win an X-Port Expandable Art Portfolio Case 20"x 26"x 6" (ARV $110)!

Step2 Studio Art Desk Giveaway (ARV $83)

Do you have an area in your house that is dedicated to your kid's art activities? If not, you can start building one with this adorable art desk from Step2. It includes adjustable features that make it versatile, and plenty of storage space to hold all the art supplies. Check out how you could win this baby!

Hosted by Karen's Got Mail!

The Step2 Studio Art Desk has some fantastic features! Here are just a few:

• Adjustable work surface board which can be folded down into an art desk to draw on or lifted up for an art easel
• Grows with your child (recommended for ages 2 and up)
• Features large side pockets perfect for holding coloring books, paper and more!
• Removable supply cup to hold paint brushes, pencils and more!
• Includes one chair

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One lucky person will win a Step2 Studio Art Desk (ARV $83)!

Gifts for the Kids Giveaway (ARV $150)

I hardly know anyone who doesn't have any kid on their Christmas list. Chances are you need to shop for more than one child. Several brands have joined forces to bring you the chance to win an awesome prize package filled with $150 worth of children's products, good for both boys and girls! Enter to win them all!

Hosted by: Queen of Savings, Tammie's Reviews Giveaways & More, Mommy Makes Time, Baltimore Mom, Dividing by Zero, Dawns Delight Art, Central Bargains & Giveaways, Giveaway Lovers & EasterBabe's Theory

Sponsored by: TRENDiY Art, Silverlit, Green Toys, NanoBlock & BrushBuddies

About the prizes:

TRENDiY Art - Edgy and fashion forward - it's Trendy Art! These high quality arts and craft kits include a 60 page magazine with instructions and how to fashion tips for the most discriminating 'fashionista'. Create your own style and set yourself apart!

Silverlit Nano Falcon - Smaller than 82mm and weighs less than 11g, this 3 channel indoor helicopter flies up and down; forward and backward; left and right. Built-in Gyro Stabilizer makes flying easier. Precise variable speed rotor delivers excellent flying control. Pre-selected tri band system. Slim design for transmitter.

Green Toys Helicopter - Up, up, and away! The high-flying Green Toys® Helicopter is ready for action! This eco-friendly chopper is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and features two spinning rotors and sleek skids on the bottom for easy landings. The Helicopter includes a pilot bear figure that fits perfectly in the spacious cockpit that's complete with a full dashboard and the Green Toys' signature 8-track. No BPA, phthalates, or PVC. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Packaged with recyclable materials and printed with soy ink.

Begin Again Artist On The Go Set Giveaway

Has your child shown an intense interest or great talent in painting? If yes, then the Begin Again Artist On The Go Set would sure brighten up her day and keep her busy for hours. Enter to win one for your little artist in the making!

Hosted By: Simply Southern Couponers

Sponsored By: Begin Again

About the Sponsor
Begin Again was founded by Benjamin Barlowe who was an early 20th century inventor who loved old-fashioned fun tales and was inspired to create adventurous toys for his two grandchildren. He created Begin Again Toys for children to experience imaginative storytelling with creative learning and fun.

To learn more about Begin Again toys, you may read Simply Southern Couponers' full review here.

Photo Credit: Begin Again

Begin Again toys are Eco-friendly too. The Artist On The Go Set for instance, includes notepads made from recycled paper, soy crayons and a spacious natural cotton carry case. It's a perfect art kit for families on the go (like ours). But it's equally fun to use at home while reducing mess and clutter with its kid-friendly design for easy organization.

One lucky reader will win the Artist On The Go Set from Begin Again (ARV $25)!