Ed Emberley's Fingerprint Drawing Book

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Ed Emberley adds to his popular drawing books series with his paper-over-board Ed Emberley's Fingerprint Drawing Book. An opening spread describes the necessary "ingredients" for using fingertips as paintbrushes (inkpads, poster paints, food coloring, etc.); in the following spreads, Emberley leads by example, adding one element at a time to show how to make a frog, for instance, or a bumblebee in "The Garden" or animals and birds in subsequent spreads. He also offers ideas for seasons, holidays and feelings. ( Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

From The Critics

What are fingertips for? For enjoying the art projects in Ed Emberley's Fingertip Drawing book, of course. Talk about step-by-step instructions—even my teenage boy (who still can't cut with scissors) should be able to follow these. Learn to draw animals, people, and flowers by using your dipped-in-paint fingertips and a few pencil lines. What a wonderful book to entertain and instruct! 2001, Little, Brown and Company, $15.95. Ages 5 to 12. Reviewer: A. Braga SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

Children's Literature

Ed Emberley has done it again. He has created a phenomenal book that shows how to make pictures using a fingerprint and a few extra lines. This colorful book gives step-by-step visual instructions about turning a fingerprint into any number of imaginable objects. Some examples are animals, people, seasonal objects, holidays and transportation. The book contains minimal text and a lot of colorful instructions. These clever drawings are very organized and quite simple. The book will encourage creativity for all ages. This book can be used to teach a number of different subjects to children, and of course, to teach some basic artistic concepts. 2000, Little Brown, . Ages 4 to 12. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-A step-by-step approach to drawing for beginners and those who are artistically challenged. Each figure introduced can be made with a basic fingerprint or more, and then lines and dots are placed beneath the form to take budding artists to a complete picture. It is so easy to do that even very young children can enjoy a simple art adventure. A brief introduction refers readers to various ink pads, paints, and markers. Emberley also suggests using vegetables or gum-rubber erasers in addition to or instead of fingers. By dipping a finger into an ink pad, a basic form is made from which animals, bean buddies, clowns, and objects can be portrayed. The author then moves readers into general scenarios such as "The Garden" and "The Pond." He includes ways of showing emotions, holiday symbols, and a sketchbook full of supplemental ideas. The section devoted to advanced fingerprinting has slightly more difficult projects without step-by-step instructions. Emberley's books are especially valuable to nonartistic adults who want uncomplicated projects to do with children. This book is similar to Ed Emberley's Great Thumbprint Drawing Book (Little, Brown, 1977), but the addition of color fingerprints makes it visually more appealing.-Ilene Abramson, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.