Yet another of those "feel free to ruin this book" kind of activity volumes, noticeably using just red and blue in its lively design, but perhaps geared to asking bigger questions than some. In just the first short browse we see the demand to illustrate the big bang, create some placards for protests, dream up our future style and home, and illustrate some new words of our own creation. Oh, and it also comes with positivity messages at the bottom of many pages, telling us how wonderful our future achievements are. (I mean, it might be just my copy that does that and you buy one that already knows you'll make up a heap of sh*te, but somehow I doubt it.)

So there's positive thinking, and thinking outside the box – drawing the world on upside down pages, designing new fonts, breaking mother nature's own rules – and seeing what happens. Some are definitely prompts I've seen before in such books, but much of this has the gleeful randomness it seeks. The encouragement, and small-p political almost, ramps up in the final parts, so we all leave the book thinking we're powerful creators. Personally, I would rather I decided that based on the results of using such a book, not the book itself – but I see these books as disposable, frivolous things that lead to the disposable and the frivolous. This books wants to believe everything we do has positivity and power and wonderfulness, which in many instances is surely wishful thinking.

Three and a half stars.

A great book that doubles as powerful advice and prompts for expression. It offers an enticing introduction into the world of art and offers inspiration for those wanting to get more in touch with that side of themselves.

I really love this book, I do group art activities with children and quite a few of these are familiar ones that I know work well!

I had a digital copy, so I can't say how well the paper will hold up for painting on, but assuming that the publishers have kept that in mind, I'd recommend this book for someone who feels a bit 'shy' about doing art, as well as kids from about 7 updwards.


I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

This is an interesting one! In all honest, I think people will either love it or... not love it! It's all big chunky red and blue so if you're going to be frustrated with that clashing with artistic colour choices, that's a potential thing. And it's one of those DRAW IN THE BOOK books so it's worth being sure you're ok with that. But let's assume you are...

I like it! It's vibrant, chaotic and bursting with energy and interesting invitations to just MAKE ART without holding back or thinking too much or judging yourself. So it makes a great gift for children who want to tap into their inner artist, regardless of how confident they feel about art. In fact, for readers who don't consider themselves to be artistic... in a way, this is ideal because it's a free personal space to just do your thing with no right or wrong. We all need that!

More of a book to gift than read. I can see it being a lovely gift for a child to receive tho. Thank you for the ARC.

Fun and colorful but nothing special. We're not told WHY "art makes people powerful" - we're just told that it does. The authors explain that "[a]rt helps people step into their power, find their voice, and inspire others to do the same" but don't substantiate that nifty picker-upper with examples or possibilities. Not a good fit for library collections either, since readers are supposed to draw in the book.

This is a fun and creative art prompt book. I really enjoyed some of the prompts like painting the way you picture days of the week or emotions, and painting a pink on pink painting. It’s very upbeat and encouraging.

Two things that detracted a bit for me— firstly I really wish the whole book wasn’t done in red and blue together. I felt that they were one note, not my style, and would clash with much of the art kids might do on the pages. Secondly, it does not say what kind of paper this book is printed on and that’s impossible to tell on a digital ARC. Most of these books are printed on standard paper and painted projects are likely to be less satisfactory than on paper made for painting. I’m assuming that if it were printed on some sort of mixed media paper it would advertise that, but I can’t be sure. If it is on regular paper, kids will need to experiment with watercolors and acrylics to see what works best on the paper. It may warp, bleed, crack, pool, pill, dissolve and/or otherwise react differently than it would on proper art paper. This isn’t an issue with pencils or crayons but many of the prompts are for painting so I thought I’d mention it.

It’s still a fun and creative book for budding artists.

I read a temporary digital review copy of this book via NetGalley.

Creative and full of prompts to make your creative juices flow! Yes, even for the ones who do not think they are creative!

I would say this book is kind of journal that would encourage you to write, draw or create something of your own there and then while reading the book. It’s crazy! But it’s also feels good when you know you won’t be judged and you would be enjoying the process thoroughly! There are no rules!

I love the presentation. It’s simple yet chaotic and expressive.

I wish the cover was a bit different from the rest of the book.

Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group- Wide Eyed Editions, for the advance reading copy.