February 06, 2007

Ed Emberley




I recently picked up a copy of Ed Emberley's Jumbo Jamboree Drawing Book at a giant bookstore sale and I'm so happy that I did! Ed Emberley has been creating instructional drawing books for kids since the 1960's, and I just love his illustration style and the way he breaks down all his drawings into steps like a recipe book. I used to check his books out of the library when I was little, and my favorite was the praying mantis, with its triangle head with half circles on either side for eyes. I couldn't find it in this book, but I do love this sweet fox (oops! raccoon)- especially the patch of grass he gets to stand on.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do believe we still have some Ed Emberley books in our garage.

It's likely you'll find the praying mantis in one of those!

I remember how much you enjoyed Ed Emberley books back then - how nice that you've rediscovered his darling little drawings with their 'how-to's'.

Kate said...

I remember those too! such a cool find at a book sale and the fox is pretty awesome. I want to break out the colored pencils and draw my own fox right now!

Lena said...

oh my god! i just rediscovered Ed Emberley too! and i order a couple books from amazon. i can see his influence on my illustration style today, it's so cool.

Jessamyn Harris said...

oh yeah, awesome! I remember these!

Conn said...

oh yeah... we just re-discovered the thumbprint book as we were packing this week. so cute! i love the thumbprint caterpillar!

Helen said...

Oh my goodness, these were amazing! I think we had a halloween one, and it always frustrated me that i could never get the proportions just right - my witches were always a bit skew-iff and my werewolf just looked like he was going to fall over. Ed always made it look so easy!!xx

Anonymous said...

but he's not a fox... he's a racoon... and it says it right on the first image.

Lauren said...

Of course he is a raccoon! Thanks for catching that.

Anonymous said...

I am having trouble finding this book. Ed Emberley's Jumbo Jamboree Drawing Book. Suggestions anyone.

Thank you
missmary62@tampabay.rr.com

Lauren said...

I got mine at Green Apple Books here in San Francisco (http://www.greenapplebooks.com/) but it was during a big sale, so I'm not sure if they were clearing it out of inventory. You should give them a call and see if they still have any!