Member Reviews
A cute, simple story showcasing that 1) A simple shape can be many things/take on many forms, and 2) We will never know if we can do something unless we try.
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square Kids for the ARC for review.
Brilliant. A hilarious read which will bring hours of pleasure to children and adults alike. An artist draws a shape. The shape would like a horse, but the artist can't draw a horse. The artist draws all sorts of other creatures, but still - the shape would like a horse. Multiple twists and a surprising ending - great to read at home or in the classroom. A must for all little artists out there!
Cat wants the artist of the book to draw a horse. But horses are hard to draw, so the artist offers alternatives. A surprising number of things are not a horse! But the cat has decided. It wants a horse.
Finally, the artist thinks the cat has what it wants! It isn't so. Then cat realizes that it was lucky to get a horse.
This is a fun little book with a variety of different messages, depending on how you use it.
1)This is an amusing story filled with "nothing shapes" that look suspiciously like gumdrops. It's hard to please others sometimes, but if they are patient and supportive, sometimes amazing things can happen!
2)Simple drawings can tell a story. So nearly everybody can tell stories about the things they see and imagine.
3)Adventures can begin by adding just one thing to a story.
4)Some book characters are very picky (and may need a nap).
5/5 Stars
Thanks to Union Square Kids and Sterling Publishing, and NetGalley for the free preview of this ebook pdf; the review is voluntary.
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This one got me to laugh out loud.
This poor cat just wants a horse friend, but all the author can draw are other half-circle shaped friends and surprises.
A fun and entertaining book about trying something even when you think you can't and how once you try, you might surprise yourself.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great book to show kids how a book can be made, and how to come up with the illustrations. A squirrel, beaver, bunny, dog, and cat can come from the same shape. It reminded me of "Harold and the Purple Crayon".
Very cute and enjoyable story.
CHildren will love I Cannot Draw a Horse by Charise Mericle Harper. The simple dialog between the shape and the illustrator/author and especially the use of speech bubbles will draw in beginning readers, and budding artists will be inspired to create different animals using a basic shape just like the book. Recommended for ages 2-12.
This is a delightful book sure to enchant young readers. A cat really wants a horse, but the book doesn’t know how to draw one. The book comes up with other companions, but the cat is still not satisfied. I never saw the illustrator insert him or herself in a story before, so this is unique. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest.
This a fun book shoeing creativity of what you can draw from a simple shape. It has a good plot, not just drawing tips.
This is a fun book. I thought the illustrations were cool. The concept of the book was creative. It reminded me of the Elephant and Piggie books because the characters are interacting with the reader. It was a cute book and I'd recommend it.
This book will bring hours upon hours of fun!!
First you can read the story of a simple shape that turns in to a cat, and main character. The cat continues its adventure to have the narrator (or perhaps illustrator) to draw a horse. The story line is great for any Piggy & Gerald book lover!! Next the reader will want to take a closer look at all of the illustrations. Each page of images looks very simple, but with a closer look are full of life (or is it the other way around!!). Finally, the reader learns that even we can draw a horse and many other animals and places with just one easy to draw shape. I can see my son practicing each and every character and creating his own little story.
This book is truly a fountain of inspiration and creativity.
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Union Square Kids.
Well of all the meta books that talk to themselves, that have a creator's voice discussing the book's own creation and so on, this is towards the lower end of the pile. Out of all the things that can be created using the most simplistic design elements here we settle on a cat, however the cat wants a horse and declaims that in most Ricardian fashion. How many things will we have to see the artist produce before a horse is even attempted? Well, quite a few, and it's all inoffensively light-hearted, non-taxing fun – but as I say it's only the frisson to be had from the book discussing itself that any real joy is to be had, and that kind of thing has been done better before.
I Cannot Draw a Horse was a lot of fun to read with my kids. It has a combination of all the right elements for younger kids - a quick story with basic language, rhymes, vibrant images that are easy to follow, silly actions, and sound effects!
Thank you NetGalley and Union Square Kids for the digital ARC!
I Cannot Draw A Horse by Charise Mericle Harper
Okaaay, talk about adorable! A book about believing in yourself and others. The narrator can draw a cat, the cat wants a horse, but a horse is hard to draw. So, the narrator draws the cat some other friends and things for fun, but the cat still wants a horse.
I love the graph paper as background for this cute picture book. The use of shapes is delightful, the colors are fun and lend to the sketchbook feel. I love how Harper brings the illustrations to life as we go through our journey with the cat. I Cannot Draw a Horse is a story sure to pull your child in.
I really enjoyed this book and I can see it being a favorite for my students. It works well as a read aloud and lends itself to activities on shapes and drawing. I really liked it!
Get ready to laugh with your preschooler! A simple shape appears. The artist is happy with that shape but then a voice says “I want a horse” and the fun begins. With a few lines, the simple shape becomes a squirrel, a beaver, a bunny and a dog. It is transformed into a hill, a pool and rocks. Still, the voice demands “I want a horse”. When the horse finally appears, he’s not satisfied. He wants a bicycle.
I Cannot Draw a Horse is not only delightful, it’s interactive. How does the simple shape become so many things? What lines are added? Can you think of another word that rhymes with clay? This is guaranteed to be a bedtime favorite! 5 stars
Thank you to Union Square Kids - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing and Charise Mericle Harper for this ARC.
Thank you, Union Square Kids, for the advance reading copy.
The book is for very young readers I feel. It presents some very basic artwork with minimal usage of words. The kids will learn new words and about sounds some animals make. It reads like a short animation clip.
I Cannot Draw A Horse is a fantastically entertaining picture book! I loved the creativity and how one "nothing" shape can turn into so many different things. The story moves quickly and encourages imagination. Kids will really enjoy this silly story!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this DRC. All thoughts are my own.