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Bad Drawer
A picture book following a bad drawer who works together with his friends to help bring his wildest stories to life.
Seth has a super fantastic story in his head. A story so completely awesome and unbelievably amazing that he needs to get it out on paper and share it with the world right away. There's only one He's a bad drawer. Like, really bad. He's tried and tried, but his illustrations are never quite like he imagined when they actually land on the page.
But he has an idea that might fix What if his friends help him bring his story to life?
Seth has a super fantastic story in his head. A story so completely awesome and unbelievably amazing that he needs to get it out on paper and share it with the world right away. There's only one He's a bad drawer. Like, really bad. He's tried and tried, but his illustrations are never quite like he imagined when they actually land on the page.
But he has an idea that might fix What if his friends help him bring his story to life?
40 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2022
50 people want to read
About the author
Seth Fishman
9 books157 followersSeth Fishman is a native of Midland, Texas (think Friday Night Lights), and a graduate of Princeton University and the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. He spends his days as a literary agent at The Gernert Company and his nights (and mornings) writing. He lives in LA with his wife and son.
His first picture book (with Isabel Greenberg Illustrating), A HUNDRED BILLION TRILLION STARS, won the Mathical Prize, was a Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Book, and was named a best book of 2017 by Amazon, Space.com and the Planetary Society. His follow up picture book, POWER UP, is out March 19th. He's the author of two YA thrillers, THE WELL'S END and THE DARK WATER.
His first picture book (with Isabel Greenberg Illustrating), A HUNDRED BILLION TRILLION STARS, won the Mathical Prize, was a Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Book, and was named a best book of 2017 by Amazon, Space.com and the Planetary Society. His follow up picture book, POWER UP, is out March 19th. He's the author of two YA thrillers, THE WELL'S END and THE DARK WATER.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 23, 2022
I thought this was a fictional story, but it turns out the author really isn't great at drawing and really did persuade several phenomenally talented professional artists to contribute to this project. So I guess it's nonfiction? But there's a half-bird, half-cat called Catbird? Anyway, this book is funny, shows off a variety of drawing styles, and has a worthwhile message about the power of collaboration.
January 31, 2023
Kiddos liked talking about drawing and how Miss Gabby's drawings resembled the front cover ;)
August 28, 2023
Adding this to my list of books that inspire kids to write...and draw!!
November 20, 2022
The power of collaboration.
March 30, 2022
Anna says: Bad Drawer is perfect for fans of The Book with No Pictures. It's really funny, and also has such a great message about how it's okay to need help.
April 1, 2022
Cute and fun collaboration between a bunch of artists. It showed the importance of asking for help and working together.
I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
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December 5, 2022See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/bad-dr...
BAD DRAWER is a cute picture book about collaboration and sharing strengths. The story is told from the perspective of the author, who has a great idea for a story, but laments being unable to draw it well. They talk about their friends who are so talented and could really bring the story to life with their own special skills. At the end, they have a great idea to bring them all together and bring the story to life. It's so great that they want it to have a song, but they are a bad singer...
What I loved: This is such a cute story about sharing your strengths, accepting your weaknesses, and working together. The author knows that they are not the best drawer, but luckily, they know a bunch of other fantastic artists. Together, they can create something really amazing and bring their vision to life. The story that they want to bring to life becomes imaginable as bits and pieces are recreated throughout, adding a small story overlay the main plot.
The illustrations show the varied styles of the contributors as well as the art stylings of the author. This will inspire children to try their own hand at art, while also respecting those who are so talented throughout and in the other books they love. The text is easy to read throughout and very conversational, as though the author were speaking directly to the reader - a style that little ones will enjoy.
Final verdict: BAD DRAWER is a clever and cute picture book about working together and sharing talents that will endear itself to young readers. This will work well for preschoolers and elementary school aged children.
BAD DRAWER is a cute picture book about collaboration and sharing strengths. The story is told from the perspective of the author, who has a great idea for a story, but laments being unable to draw it well. They talk about their friends who are so talented and could really bring the story to life with their own special skills. At the end, they have a great idea to bring them all together and bring the story to life. It's so great that they want it to have a song, but they are a bad singer...
What I loved: This is such a cute story about sharing your strengths, accepting your weaknesses, and working together. The author knows that they are not the best drawer, but luckily, they know a bunch of other fantastic artists. Together, they can create something really amazing and bring their vision to life. The story that they want to bring to life becomes imaginable as bits and pieces are recreated throughout, adding a small story overlay the main plot.
The illustrations show the varied styles of the contributors as well as the art stylings of the author. This will inspire children to try their own hand at art, while also respecting those who are so talented throughout and in the other books they love. The text is easy to read throughout and very conversational, as though the author were speaking directly to the reader - a style that little ones will enjoy.
Final verdict: BAD DRAWER is a clever and cute picture book about working together and sharing talents that will endear itself to young readers. This will work well for preschoolers and elementary school aged children.
September 21, 2023
Much like myself, the protagonist of this picture book wants to write a story, but can't draw. He shows examples of his own drawings, which are fairly simple and child-like, and compares them to those of his friends, which are much more professional. Soon the author realizes he should work with his friends to create the story he wants to share with the world. Through a mix of illustration styles, the author and collaborators show that everyone has their own talent and style and sometimes we need to share ours with others so things can work out. Young readers will relate to the author's frustration in this story and maybe it will help them be more open to asking for help.
February 4, 2025
What a treat! This story is a great reminder to children that we're all good at something, even if we're not good at the same things. An author has a really great idea for a story, but he's not good at drawing, so he worries that he'll never be able to tell it. As he jealously thinks about how good his friends are are drawing, he occurs to him that maybe he doesn't have to be an artist, too, but that they could all work together as a team.
The concept perhaps has been done before, but not like this, and the story is clever without being preachy or trite. And despite the author's lack of confidence in his own artistic style, the drawings were hilarious, and I loved the story!
The concept perhaps has been done before, but not like this, and the story is clever without being preachy or trite. And despite the author's lack of confidence in his own artistic style, the drawings were hilarious, and I loved the story!
October 18, 2025
For all of us, there are things we’re not good at. If we practice lots, we can get better, but it’s still impossible to be an expert at everything. In this book, the main character—who has an incredible story in their head—recruits friends to be their illustrators. The book’s message highlights the importance of teamwork, building connections, and knowing when to ask for help, so that we can empower each other to achieve great things together. My 6- and 9-year-old (and 42-year-old parent!) greatly enjoyed reading this book. Quote from the 6-year-old: “I love how they work together to do a great job.”
September 20, 2023
This book was wonderful to read. I enjoyed looking through all the illustrations of each page. This is good for kids to read because some may feel discouraged when they don't feel like they are the best artist. It is important to congratulate different styles of art. Art is a great way for kids and even adults to express their feelings. It breaks my heart when kids have been made fun of for a drawing that they worked really hard on. Each of the illustrations within the book was different and kept students engaged.
November 9, 2022
As someone who is a bad drawer, this book was relatable to me.
A very cute, fun idea where the author laments how he has a great story idea but can't make it come to life because of his lack of artistic ability. So, he calls in his friends, some well-known illustrators. Each one gets to add their art style, but somehow they work together. The ending full page spread of all the art together is fantastic.
A very cute, fun idea where the author laments how he has a great story idea but can't make it come to life because of his lack of artistic ability. So, he calls in his friends, some well-known illustrators. Each one gets to add their art style, but somehow they work together. The ending full page spread of all the art together is fantastic.
April 13, 2023
My first graders were obsessed with this book. One student actually told me he wished there were more than five stars to give it. They laughed out loud and described it as 'amazing". The book is about the writer who has a great idea for a book and feels very confident as a write, but very insecure as an illustrator. He enlists the help of his artistic friends and together they create a fantastic story.
July 12, 2023
More humor for fans of The Book with No Pictures or The Book No One Wants to Read. It made me laugh.
July 15, 2023
It's hard to get a good story off the ground when you can't draw. Our main character's drawings never come out as planned, and they're nowhere near as good as friends' drawings. But maybe there's still hope for the good story.
Truly a charming little book about the power of teamwork. I appreciate that we aren't simply told to try harder; it's OK to ask for help sometimes. The ending also made me smile.
Truly a charming little book about the power of teamwork. I appreciate that we aren't simply told to try harder; it's OK to ask for help sometimes. The ending also made me smile.
September 18, 2024
The narrator bemoans the fact that he's a bad drawer. He has a great idea for a story, but he can't bring it to life in the way it deserves. But then he has an idea...
I love how this reminds kids they don't have to be good at everything, and that teaming up with others of different abilities is a great way to make dreams come true. The illustrations in this are fun, and I would totally read the story the narrator describes.
I love how this reminds kids they don't have to be good at everything, and that teaming up with others of different abilities is a great way to make dreams come true. The illustrations in this are fun, and I would totally read the story the narrator describes.
September 26, 2024
The narrator, Seth, speaks to us the reader, telling us how he has an amazing story to tell but he is such a bad drawer. He is good at making cookies though! He has a several friends who are good at other things that he is not. When they all come together, what will come about?
This is a great book on team work, collaboration, delegation, and appreciation for others gifts. The illustrations and text style/font are perfect for the book.
This is a great book on team work, collaboration, delegation, and appreciation for others gifts. The illustrations and text style/font are perfect for the book.
January 11, 2023
he author of this book has a fantastic story in his head, but can't draw it the way he wants... until he realizes he can have his friends help him to (show and) tell his story. This book could be encouraging for a child who is down on themselves for feeling like they don't measure up to their peers.
November 3, 2022
Me, an adult, really related to this book because I cannot draw at all, but I am always wishing I could. I think this would be a great book to share with kids who think the same or are just struggling with what talents they have.
April 6, 2023
I thought the message was fine, but I was wishing for a different message for my kinder audience. The narrator's drawings were really simple and expressive--everyone can draw! Our illustrations don't have to be professional level to tell a story or share an idea.
November 8, 2022
Loved the collaboration with the multiple illustrators
November 15, 2022
This is a story about a bad drawer who wants to create a story. A team-up results in a fantastic collaboration that shows a variety of strengths created one masterpiece.
November 21, 2022
The collective for the win! Loved everything about this book.
November 23, 2022
Cute story; I was hoping for a little more, but definitely a fun storytime read
January 5, 2023
This could be a fun program!
January 24, 2023
Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy!
February 17, 2023
It starts off with words on plain paper, but I love when it gets to all the various drawing types.
March 19, 2023
3 stars (I liked it)
This book had a sweet message about asking for help and working with others. But it does not tell that message subtly so it comes across as a bit of a "lesson" book.
This book had a sweet message about asking for help and working with others. But it does not tell that message subtly so it comes across as a bit of a "lesson" book.
March 24, 2023
Friendship, ask for help, Practice makes improvement
April 5, 2023
This was a lot of fun. I think the way that the words were added to the page will help with letter recognition and print awareness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews