Review: Explore and Draw Patterns

Pattern is cool. Pattern is groovy. Pattern is intensely pleasing to the eye, and—amazingly—is not something traditionally taught to young children (not beyond potato-stamping, anyway). Understanding pattern helps kids come to grips with form and structure, but also hones their creativity and eye for art and design.

Enter Explore and Draw Patterns. Not that kids need any excuse, but what a fantastic way to encourage kids to explore the possibility patterning holds in its fist. The book opens by asking children to look around them and see the patterning of our everyday lives. It’s everywhere and is so often missed. The book then provides many and varied ways for kids to design their own artistic repetition, from dot-to-dots, to copying, illusions, and guided and free-form drawing.

The graphic design in this book is just heavenly—and not only in regard to pattern. Its typography, layout, design and quirk is so delicious, it’s virtually edible. A tri-colour palette and retro-leanings make it a collectible and inspirational work for adults, too.

Title: Explore and Draw Patterns: An Art Activity Book
Author: Georgia Amson-Bradshaw
Illustrator: Owen Davey
Publisher: Ivy Press, $17.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 August 2014
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781782401407
For ages: 5+
Type: Activity Book