An introduction to drawing, cartooning, and capturing the essence of a subject all while having fun. It features step-by-step instruction from Professor Blook, Loomis' alter ego on the page.

Here's the perfect back-to-school gift for budding artists. Like the creator's previous picture book, My Dog Is as Smelly as Dirty Socks, this picture book encourages children to be creative and make their own object portraits. It's a fun activity for home or for the classroom. You can even check out portraits made by other readers in the "kids' gallery" of author Hanoch Piven's Web site, www.pivenworld.com—and while you're at it, send in your own! Learn how to create a funny librarian, a colorful art teacher, or your best friend by seeing how one girl does it in this simple, playful picture book that's comprised of portraits made of objects. Once the girl has talked about—and drawn—the key figures in her school, she ends with the pièce de résistance—a class portrait!

Andrew Loomis (1892-1959) is revered amongst artists - including comics superstar Alex Ross - for his mastery of drawing. His first book, Fun With a Pencil, published in 1939 is a wonderfully crafted and engaging introduction to drawing, cartooning, and capturing the essence of a subject all while having fun. With delightful step-by-step instruction from Professor Blook, Loomis's charming alter ego on the page.

I tried to make sense of the Four Books, until love arrived, and it all became a single syllable.

Andrew Loomis (1892-1959) is revered amongst artists - including comics superstar Alex Ross - for his mastery of drawing. His first book, Fun With a Pencil, published in 1939 is a wonderfully crafted and engaging introduction to drawing, cartooning, and capturing the essence of a subject all while having fun. With delightful step-by-step instruction from Professor Blook, Loomis's charming alter ego on the page.

A perfect, device-free response to "are we there yet" and complaints that there's nothing to do on summer vacation, offering hours of unplugged entertainment. Ideal for cars, trains, planes, or just lazy summer days, the All You Need is a Pencil series provides hours of fun with no screentime or electronic device required. Dozens of activities, quizzes, games, and puzzles will keep kids busy as the days heat up. Plot out road trips, trick your brother with a toothpick game at a restaurant pit stop, and more.