(3) K-3 Masiello introduces children to fairies in an engaging step-by-step drawing book. Left-hand pages deconstruct finished artwork on the right so young artists can see how simple lines are added to make the shapes of the tooth fairy, a fairy godmother, and lots of other fairies with fancy hairdos and accessories. Bright, friendly illustrations makes this an attractive how-to. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Masiello invites children to get in the Halloween spirit in this engaging step-by-step drawing book. Left-hand pages deconstruct finished art on the facing pages so young artists can see how lines are added to create the shapes of ghosts, pumpkins, bats, and more. The projects begin simply and get progressively more difficult. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Young artists progress through simple sequential steps (à la Ed Emberley's books) to create a series of farm animals and their surroundings. Starting with a single line, the images become progressively more complex as the lessons continue, with basic color added in a final step. An appended list of books and websites provides more information about farm life.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ralph Masiello. After receiving a mysterious summons from a "Devoted Friend," thirteen-year-old Abigail Thaddeus begins learning about mythical beasts (e.g., mermaids and sea monsters), recording the experience in her diary. With the aid of the Bestiary Masielus, Abigail puts together an informative and engaging dossier, uncovering closely guarded family secrets along the way. Letters, drawings, and photographs give the book a scrapbook appearance. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Jamie Tan

(3) K-3 Young artists can start with basic shapes and progress through simple sequential steps to create a series of imaginative cartoon robots. The doodling becomes increasingly more complex as the lessons continue, with color and gadgetry added that will delight young technology buffs. Books and websites listed direct readers interested in building actual robots.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Masiello starts by showing readers how to draw the Great Pyramid of Khafre using simple shapes and lines. His easy-to-follow instructions gradually build in complexity, as he moves to ancient symbols, then Egyptian gods, Queen Nefertiti, and King Tutankhamen. The finished pictures are colored with mixed media. Concise paragraphs tell more about each subject, including historical context. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Masiello gives clear step-by-step instructions on how to draw eleven dragons--from the Australian Aboriginal rainbow serpent to the Maya celestial dragon to European winged dragons--along with patterns, scales, and extras for each beast. The figures are complex, but every step contains only small, manageable amounts of new material. Background information about each dragon's mythology accompanies the illustrations. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 From clown fish and corals to seahorses and sharks, Masiello provides simple, easy-to-follow instructions for drawing the denizens of the ocean. Each new step is shown in red, and supplemental instructions for other creatures or more realistic details are shown in blue. The finished drawings often include several animals and use a variety of media to encourage readers' creativity.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Using basic shapes, Masiello shows how to draw common insects including beetles, butterflies, and grasshoppers. He includes tips on making the insects look realistic and adding background elements such as spider webs and flowers. Using different media, including crayons, markers, and watercolors in his examples, this book encourages readers to experiment on their own.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley