Great Sketching Book for Children

 I wrote the following review of Jean Mackay's The Nature Explorer's Sketchbook: For the Art of Your Discoveries, for a local weekly. It never was published, so I'm running it here.

Front Cover

Want to introduce children to the natural world, or just get them away from their digital toys? Jean Mackay’s The Nature Explorer’s Sketchbook is a great start. The book combines instruction with an enthusiastic invitation to get involved with nature. Artist-author Mackay writes on the very first page, “The world is a Big and fascinating place. Let’s go out and explore it.”

 

The firsts 25 pages of the book introduce the reader to nature journaling, with plenty of specific sketching ideas along with very basic drawing and painting instructions.

 

With roughly 55 blank pages following, the book is designed for immediate action, making it easy to jump from reading to doing. Some of the blank pages are subdivided into smaller squares and rectangles - a subtle way of introducing children to page design. The stretch of blank pages is broken up with “Try This” ideas, which keeps interest and enthusiasm from flagging.

 

From the initial “This Book Belongs To “___” to the last page, the book actually becomes the child’s work as much as the author’s. In fact, Mackay stresses, “You make your own rules - it's your book."  As for feeling discouraged, her advice is practical, “If you draw something you don’t like, just turn the page and try again.” In this way Mackay motivates the reader to keep going, and when it is finished the child will have a real sense of accomplishment along with a personal record of discoveries and experiences.

Artwork By Jean Maccay

Jean Mackay incorporates language with her own sketches, and writing is as important as drawing in this book. Combining writing with drawing helps establish a deep connection between the observer and world being observed.  She writes, “The more you sketch the more you will see.” That is true of writing as well. 

 

She doesn’t stop with generalities, but gives specific tips like noting sensations, the weather and how the sketcher feels. One exercise is to fill a space entirely of words written large or small, decorated or not, to describe the sense of a place. 

 

She also encourages the reader to write down questions about what is being sketched, looking up information later, and adding answers. Some questions about a plant, for example, could be whether it is edible, what the various parts are called, why it is growing where it is, and so forth.

 

In content and organization this childrens’ book does not differ materially from similar books for adults. The difference lies in the amount of detail about techniques and materials.  While just a little more information on materials and techniques might have been welcome here, the author clearly wants to get children involved and excited immediately. In view of this goal, less is likely better. 

 

Mackay mentions that a heavier paper than what is in the book would be better for watercolor. I tried a small, wet sketch. While the paper buckled, it didn’t start to disintegrate or tear, and it dried fairly flat. As long as the user doesn’t go hog wild with water or scrubbing, the paper in the book should be fine for starters. 

 

The current emphasis on the STEM curriculum – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – raises the question of whether the creative arts will be neglected or ignored in the education of young people. A book like The Nature Explorer’s Sketchbook shows how language and art can go hand-in glove with these categories.  The subtitle, For the Art of Your Discoveries, says it all. 

 

The book is enlivened with Mackay’s delightfully fresh and energetic sketches, mostly done in watercolor. While this kind of seemingly loose and spontaneous style actually takes years to perfect, it is not intimidating, and perfectly suited to her topic and audience. She does not talk down to her audience, and constantly seeks to encourage and inspire.

Back Cover

Older teenagers might find this book too juvenile, but curiously enough, it probably would appeal to busy grownups for the same reasons it would please children. If you buy this book for your offspring, you may end up wishing you had a copy for yourself. The book would be a wonderful resource for teachers, day camps, and whole-family activities.  

 

The book is published by Tumblehome Press, a non-profit childrens’ book publishing company that aims “to inspire a love of science through the power of story.”

 

It is a sturdy paperback, 10 x 7 inches large, and has good –quality binding, that should withstand a good deal of abuse. Considering the cost of books and decent drawing paper, this little manual is very reasonable at $16.99. It’s release date was Nov. 1, 2020. It is perfect for summer vacation activities and gifts.

Jean Maccay has a great blog, "Drawn In." Check it out.