In this entry in the Drawing in 4 Easy Steps series, the "steps" are covered in the first spread with general tips: "start with big shapes," "add smaller shapes," continue adding "new lines," and "add final details." These are never touched on again, but that's OK, because what follows is a veritable rogue's gallery of astronauts, aliens, robots, spacecraft, rovers, and planets that are both kooky and imitable, all shown in four stages of completeness. While it's a little disingenuous to say that there are only four steps when the refinement from one to the next can be drastic, the can-do spirit is infectious. Kids who already have some drawing chops will find plenty of nifty ideas to riff off of here, and the advice on situating the drawings into a story ranges from plotting, editing, and even binding a finished book. Even more visual inspiration can be found in the appended links to NASA and National Geographic.

These books provide instructions for drawing characters and objects and using them in imaginative stories. In the four simple steps the intent is sound: sketch big body shapes first, then add detail gradually, erasing extra lines and finally adding color. Somewhat advanced observational and hand skills are required; sample stories are given at the end. Reading list, websites. Ind.

LABAFF, Stephanie . Draw Animals in 4 Easy Steps: Then Write a Story . ISBN 978-0-7660-3840-0 . LC 2011012130. LABAFF, Stephanie . Draw Cartoon People in 4 Easy Steps: Then Write a Story . ISBN 978-0-7660-3843-1 . LC 2011018040. LABAFF, Stephanie . Draw Pirates in 4 Easy Steps: Then Write a Story . ISBN 978-0-7660-3839-4 . LC 2010054010. LABAFF, Stephanie . Draw Princesses in 4 Easy Steps: Then Write a Story . ISBN 978-0-7660-3838-7 . LC 2010048149. LABAFF, Stephanie . Draw Superheroes in 4 Easy Steps: Then Write a Story . ISBN 978-0-7660-3842-4 . LC 2011017566. ea vol: illus. by Tom LaBaff. 48p. (Drawing in 4 Easy Steps Series). further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Enslow Elementary . 2012. PLB $23.93. Gr 3-6 LaBaff proves that drawing cartoon characters and items can be "easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!" The projects are presented in steps that require budding artists to try to reproduce non-geometric lines. There is no attempt to teach general drawing skills or suggestion for variations. The resulting drawings are two dimensional, but likely to appeal to children as they are reminiscent of the style of some popular Saturday morning cartoons. After the drawing instructions sections, LaBaff gives guidelines for writing a story inspired by the art and supplies appropriate writing prompts. The books end with a sample story and accompanying illustrations. Most children should be able to complete both drawings and stories with success.