Cupcakes, trucks, cacti, unicorns, a camera, a butterfly: 42 of the things kids actually want to draw, each broken into a handful of simple steps that turn a blank page into something worth taping to the fridge. Bestselling artist Alli Koch teaches the way a patient older sister would, one confident line at a time, so beginners get a win on the very first try.

The book itself is built for how kids really use it. The binding lies flat so both hands stay free, the paper is heavy enough for markers, and every page is perforated, so a finished masterpiece tears out cleanly for coloring, framing or gifting to grandma. At a square 9 by 9 inches there is proper room to work.

Best for roughly ages 5 to 12, and one of the most reliable birthday gifts in the business: pair it with a set of pencils and you have solved a rainy Saturday before it happens.