I Don't Draw, I Color!

by Adam Lehrhaupt, Felicita Sala (Illustrator)

A tale of the power of color.

Isn’t it fun to color?
Every color has a feeling,
just like we do.
Yellow makes us feel happy.
Dark blue can make us feel sad.
Red can seem angry.
Black can look scary.
What color do you feel like today?

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Storytime, Emotion, Fiction, Growth Mindset

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2017

About the author

Adam Lehrhaupt is the award-winning author of Warning: Do Not Open This Book!, Please: Open This Book!, Chicken in Space (A six book series: Book 2 Chicken in School lands June 20, 2017), I Will Not Eat You and the upcoming I Don't Draw, I Color (March 21, 2016), Wordplay (July 2017), Idea Jar (Fall 2017), and This is a Good Story (Spring, 2018). He has traveled to six continents, performed on Broadway, and lived on a communal farm. He firmly believes that opening a book is a good thing, even if there are monkeys in it. Adam currently lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with his wife, two sons, and two bizarre dogs. Follow Adam on twitter and Instagram @lehrhaupt for the occasional brilliant thought or picture, and at adamlehrhaupt.com.

Reviews

[Margaret]

To receive a new coloring book as a gift as a child is marvelous. If it comes with a new box of crayons or colored pencils it is the best of the best. The possibilities the coloring book and box of crayons offer the recipient are endless.

The trend in adult coloring books beginning several years ago can be attributed to many things but two are the inner child in all of us wants to play and they remind us of childhood. A sense of calm is supplied by coloring, like a form of mediation for those seeking calm in the face of a variety of situations. I Don't Draw, I COLOR! (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 21, 2017) written by Adam Lehrhaupt with illustrations by Felicita Sala is for everyone who longs for the freedom to express their creativity however they choose.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book which begins with a child comparing their drawings to that of other children and falling short. When we compare, we have a tendency to not compare like with like. Also, the drawings looked a lot like my children's around that age and I cherished them and have kept a few. One of my children now makes his living from his art. I can't imagine if he had just given up drawing from unfavorable comparisons to others. Then, having extolled the virtues of coloring rather than drawing, the final self-portrait is a colorful well drawn one rather than the abstract mass of coloring I was expecting. Overall, I think this book sends mixed messages that leave me feeling uncomfortable. Children need to be able to express what they see and feel without constraint including their own self-doubt.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The young narrator of this lovely picture-book tribute to the artist in all of us maintains (as per the title) that he doesn't draw, but rather, he colors. Although not a talented draftsman - his cars looks like boxes and his puppies like mush - he uses colors to express his emotional state, and to communicate to others how he feels about the world around him.

The seventh picture-book I have read from American children's author Adam Lehrhaupt, but the first from Italian illustrator Felicita Sala, I Don't Draw, I Color! offers a perceptive look at the creative impulse in young children, encouraging those reading and/or listening to it to explore their own artistic talents, even if they can't draw. The artwork is vibrantly colored, as one would expect, given the subject matter, and complements the narrative perfectly. Recommended to all young would-be artists, and also to all young people who imagine they aren't artists, because they lack some certain skill.

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child who sees that his drawings aren’t technically as precise as what others can do knows how to express his emotions through color on the page. Felicita Sala’s illustrations capture bright and muted emotions expressed in lines that can be straight, jagged, or squiggly. When the child is asked to draw a self-portrait, it’s the combination of colors and lines that show how he sees himself. It’s a great way for kids to learn how to express complex emotions that they may not be able to easily communicate in words.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Breanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a neat book about coloring and the imagination that can come from it. However, in order to praise the love of coloring it totally rips down drawing and those who draw. The kid actually draws a picture and says it is horrible. My sweet 4 year old, who loves to draw and color, sadly looked at me and said, "Then he doesn't think my drawing looks good because his looks better than mine. I guess I can't draw anymore." What? NO! I dont think that was the intent of the author or the illustrator but you should never put something down in order to make something else look better.

[Lynn A. Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child cannot draw well, but expresses himself through colours. Gorgeous.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book speaks to me as someone who also cannot draw but loves to color.

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a creative, colorful book!  This book neither privileges nor underprivileges any art form, and just celebrates the ways in which the main character expresses himself--which is art in itself.  This is fantastic for kids in first to third grade, and perfect for any art classroom.  The illustration in this book is phenomenal, beautiful, and meaningful as the color seeps into the protagonist's profile as he discusses all the colors that he is.  Definitely a must-read.

Review cross-listed here!

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a boy who would rather color than draw!
Perfect for artistic or not-so-artistic kids!

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Don't Draw, I Color! is a children's picture book written by Adam Lehrhaupt and illustrated by Felicita Sala, which tells a story about a boy who isn't proficient in drawing, but is remarkable in coloring and the meaning behind the colors.

Lehrhaupt's text is simplistic and straightforward. It is a story about a boy who is not that great of an artist, but an excellent colorist and really knows the meaning behind the colors and how they are colored. Sala's illustrations is the crux of the book – it is more a show over tell book. The art is ingenious in its simplicity – the examples of how the main protagonist draws seems eerily similar of my youngest niece drawings of people, dogs, and cars. Overall, the illustrations exemplify the text rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is a story about a boy who considers himself a terrible drawer, but an excellent colorist. Depending on how the boy uses the colors, he can convey his emotions through thin, thick, jagged, and squiggly lines. Red could be angry or happy depending on how it's drawn and it is through these techniques that he could convey the myriad of feeling that represent the world and more importantly – himself.

All in all, I Don't Draw, I Color! is a wonderfully written children's book that is a celebration of colors and their deeper meanings.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

This is the kind of book that will have different meaning to different ages; given the character is meant to be age 6-10 parents might want to adjust the wording on the pages where he feels sad about his attempts to draw. (I note that my cars still look like that!). For Miss 3, the book had special meaning because she has autism and we're working with an OT on her fine motor controls. She hates feeling restricted by lines and being asked to colour in, she also hasn't reached the stage of drawing shapes to represent people etc. It was a relief to her to read a book that simply allows for expression through the use of colour, thin or thick lines, soft curvy or harsh jagged lines.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Don't Draw, I Color! Adam Lehrhaupt. Illustrated by Felicita Sala. 2017. Simon & Schuster. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]



First sentence: Some people are really good at drawing. But my puppies look like mush. My cars look like lumps...or like boxes...or this. Do these look like people to you? I didn't think so. So, I don't draw. I color.



Premise/plot: The star of this charming picture book doesn't draw--he colors. This book celebrates art and individuality.



My thoughts: I really loved this one. Adam Lehrhaupt was one of my favorite discoveries of 2017. I love the joy of this one.



Text: 5 out of 5

Illustrations: 4 out of 5

Total: 9 out of 10

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sweet picture book celebrates the creativity inside everyone, no matter what form it takes. The narrator of the book believes he's not very good at drawing, but uses colors, textures, and lines to express emotion, personality, and thoughts. The underlying message is that all children can express themselves, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. The illustrations of this book are rendered in watercolors, drawing and colored pencils, and crayons. The artist really represented the artwork of a youngster very well. This might be a good book to have on the art room shelf.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This boy makes a clear distinction between coloring and drawing.
I wonder why brown is 'messy' and, if I read this aloud, would provide lots of discussion about what different colors 'represent' certain emotions or states of being.
Full color illustrations done in watercolors, drawing & colored pencils, and crayons are simple splotches of drawings. This book may help show that art does not have to be perfect.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations of this story are what really pulled me in. The way colors and styles of drawing are used to show so many different emotions and feelings. This would be a great book to read to grade school children who may feel like they aren't so great at something their classmates all seem to excel in. Just because you can't do everything exactly as them doesn't mean you can't do other things wonderfully!

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book that explores the expressiveness of color and line. I think it might encourage children to explore art more fully, especially those children who already doubt they can draw. I plan to read this book to my kindergarten enrichment class after break and have them write in their journals. I look forward to seeing their works of self-expression!!!

[nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmmm i'm not sure this would work well in a regular storytime of picture books and songs, BUT in a special storytime program that includes crafts, this would be a good ending book for an art or emotions-themed program, leading into having the kids draw or paint self-portraits, using colour to express themselves

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book because it made me think of myself and how I hate to draw but I love to color! Part of the reason has to do with lack of confidence in my drawing skills and I could see kids, like me, who could relate and appreciate the growth mindset message in this story. I'm excited to share it with students.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book about a child who colors instead of draws. The book begins with the child saying his drawing isn't very good but with color he can express so much. I love the ending and found it inspiring. Right toddlers and up.

[Jillian Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems to be a book about art/color, which would be a great content connection for art teachers/class, but at it's heart, it's really a book about identify and self-expression and confidence in being yourself.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child explains how he is best able to express himself through coloring as opposed to drawing. The text lends itself well to reading aloud with PreK-2 and the watercolor, drawing/colored pencils, and crayons do a great job of showcasing the boy's passion and making his point.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was this kid. I couldn't draw worth a lick, but boy could I color! When I got into art as a teenager, I painting was my forte, not sketching. I like how this book focused on the boy's interests and talents and showed how he could express himself in different ways.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can relate to the boy in the story because even as an adult my drawings do not look the way they should. But I Love to color its so relaxing and enjoyable! Perfect for teaching about art and emotions! A great companion to my many colored days by Dr. Seuss! LOVE It

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started wonderfully with a perfect explanation of abstract art and I thought it would be an excellent read aloud especially before a trip to an art museum and then the last page fell back into a dull representational portrait and I was left hanging.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. Bravo to the author for portraying a confident protagonist who isn’t shy about saying he doesn’t do one thing well but man, can he do another. Pair this with Peter J. Reynolds’ “The Dot.”

[Christine Turner]

ATA storytime kit -- Art

This book works well for all ages and it includes vocabulary for art elements.

"A boy discovers that even if he does not draw, he can be an artist and express himself through coloring"-- Provided by publisher.

[Mel Schuit · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent colorful book about expressing your feelings through color in art even if you don't draw well.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book about feelings ! Terrific illustrations! Perfect for Storytime! Loved it!

[Kristina Jean Lareau · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to introduce color choice and meaning.