How to Draw
for kids
How to Draw Kawaii for Kids Copyright © 2025 by HarperCollins Focus LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part, scanned, photocopied, recorded, distributed in any printed or electronic form, or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without express written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Published by Applesauce Press, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus LLC, 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214 USA. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please support authors’ rights, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. 13-Digit ISBN: 978-1-40035-522-8 10-Digit ISBN: 1-4003-5522-2 Books published by Applesauce Press Book Publishers are available at special discounts for bulk purchases in the United States by corporations, institutions, and other organizations. For more information, please contact the publisher. cidermillpress.com Any internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by Applesauce Press, nor does Applesauce Press vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book. Without limiting the exclusive rights of any author, contributor or the publisher of this publication, any unauthorized use of this publication to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is expressly prohibited. HarperCollins also exercise their rights under Article 4(3) of the Digital Single Market Directive 2019/790 and expressly reserve this publication from the text and data mining exception. HarperCollins Publishers, Macken House, 39/40 Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C9W8, Ireland (https://www.harpercollins.com) Typography: Ziclets, Dreaming Outloud, Canvas Inline, Gibson Printed in Vietnam 25 26 27 28 29 SEA 5 4 3 2 1 First Edition
How to Draw
for kids
Learn to D raw Cute Creatures, Mythical Monsters & Friends CARISSA HARRIS
Property of the Cutest Artist Ever
All the
Adorable
Things Inside
Welcome to the World of Kawaii.......................................6 Your Artist’s Tool Kit .............................................................. 7 How to Use This Book..............................................................8 All the Feelings (Kawaii Style) ......................................... 10 Secrets to Creating Super Cuteness ................................ 11 Cute Creatures..........................................................................12 Kawaii Everyday Things.....................................................48 Mythical Monsters ..............................................................84 About the Illustrator............................................................111
5
Welcome to the World of
W
Kawaii
elcome to the wonderful world of kawaii drawing! Kawaii is a Japanese word that means “cute,” and it’s the heart of this entire book. When something is kawaii, it feels small, happy, and full of charm—like a smiling puppy, a cheerful cupcake, or even a magical monster with sparkly eyes. This book will guide you through drawing all kinds of kawaii characters and objects. You'll learn how to turn simple shapes into characters that are bursting with personality, from cuddly creatures to everyday items made adorable. Each drawing is broken down into easy steps, so you’ll always know what to do next. Don’t worry if you’ve never drawn before—this book is made for artists of all levels. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and your imagination. Most importantly, have fun! Drawing kawaii isn’t about being perfect—it’s about creating something joyful that makes you smile. Every doodle, sketch, and giggle is part of your journey as an artist. Get ready to fill the world with cuteness!
6
Your Artist’s TOOL KIT Before you start drawing, let’s make sure you have everything you need. The best part? You probably already have these supplies at home!
• PENCIL: Your main drawing tool. A sharpened pencil helps bring every kawaii detail to life.
• ERASER: Mistakes are part of the fun! An eraser helps you adjust lines, follow the steps, and try new things.
• PAPER: Most kinds work—a sketchbook, a notebook, or even loose sheets are great for practicing.
• SHARPENER: Keep your pencil nice and sharp so you can add tiny details like sparkly eyes and sweet little smiles.
• COLORED PENCILS OR MARKERS (OPTIONAL): Once your drawing is finished, color can bring your kawaii characters to life in the most adorable ways.
That’s it! No fancy tools required—these basics are all you need to get started. Remember, the real magic doesn’t come from your supplies; it comes from your imagination, your creativity, and the joy you bring to your drawings.
7
How to Use This Book Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this book—and create the cutest characters ever!
GO STEP-BY-STEP: Each drawing is broken into simple
shapes you can follow at your own pace. The blue lines show the new step, and the black lines show what you’ve already drawn. Start with light pencil lines so it’s easy to erase as your character takes shape—every artist erases as they go!
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Start with an axolotl, try
a smiling boba next, and then maybe a narwhal or even a jackalope! You don’t have to go in order—pick whatever makes you smile.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN: Your drawing doesn’t need to look
exactly like the example. Every character is unique—just like you! Add fun details, change expressions, or invent your own creatures.
FIND SOME INSPIRATION: Flip to the All the Feelings
section (page 10) for ideas on eyes, smiles, and emotions. These expressions can give your characters tons of personality.
BRING ON THE COLOR: When you’re ready, grab colored pencils or markers to add shades, patterns, or accessories to make your creations extra kawaii.
THE
OF IT ALL: Relax, have fun, and let your
imagination lead the way!
8
1
BLUE LINES ARE THE START OF EACH STEP IN YOUR DRAWING ADVENTURE!
2
BLUE LINES ALSO INDICATE THE LINES TO BE DRAWN IN EACH STEP.
3
BLACK LINES ARE LINES YOU'VE ALREADY DRAWN IN PREVIOUS STEPS.
4
BROKEN LINES SIGNAL FOR YOU TO ERASE ALL AREAS WHERE THE BROKEN LINES APPEAR IN EACH STEP.
5
SEE A FILLED BLUE AREA? THIS MEANS SHADE IN ALL THAT IS BLUE!
6
THE LAST STEP SHOWS YOUR KAWAII CHARACTER COMPLETE—NOW ADD COLOR TO BRING IT TO LIFE!
9
All the Feelings (Kawaii Style) The secret to kawaii magic is in the eyes, noses, and smiles—have fun mixing them to give your characters personality and life! Try different expressions to create characters that are happy, sleepy, surprised, or anything you can imagine!
10
SECRETS TO CREATING SUPER CUTENESS Want to make your drawings even more kawaii? Here are a few little tricks that add big charm:
• BIGGER EYES = MORE KAWAII – Large, sparkly eyes instantly make any character more lovable.
• ROUND SHAPES FEEL FRIENDLIER – Circles and soft curves create that warm, cuddly vibe.
• TINY DETAILS ADD BIG PERSONALITY – A blush on the cheeks, a little fang, or rosy dots can bring your characters to life.
• WHEN IN DOUBT, ADD A SMILE! – Even the
smallest curve of a mouth makes everything feel happy and welcoming.
• KEEP IT SIMPLE – Kawaii is all about simple shapes with big personality—don’t overcomplicate it.
• PLAY WITH PROPORTIONS – Try a big head with a
little body, or tiny arms and legs—exaggeration makes things extra cute!
• YOUR IMAGINATION IS THE MAGIC – These are
just ideas to inspire you. The real secret is to have fun and let your creativity shine!
11
12
PUPPY 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
13
BUNNY 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
14
KITTEN 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
15
About the
ILLUSTRATOR C
arissa started drawing from an early age, taking inspiration from picture books, comics, and her favorite animated films. She now lives in Melbourne, where she spends most of her days drawing on her tablet or computer, with a hot cup of coffee and a good podcast. Although she works digitally, her artwork emulates the traditional illustration styles of the classic children’s books she read as a child.
About
applesauce Press Book Publishers Applesauce Press creates thoughtfully designed children’s books that spark curiosity, creativity, and learning. With a focus on engaging formats and vibrant illustrations, our titles cover a wide range of subjects to educate and delight young readers. As an imprint of HarperCollins Focus, we are dedicated to bringing fresh, beautifully crafted books to families year-round. Learn more at cidermillpress.com.
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