Best Drawing Books for 12 Year Olds (2026): 5 Compared

A 12-year-old who draws every day outgrows simple tracing books fast, and the best drawing books for 12 year olds are the ones that teach real technique without talking down. We compared five drawing guides by fit for a 12-year-old reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Art for Kids: Drawing by Temple	9.7/10	Buy
2	How to Draw Cool Things by Goldstein	9.5/10	Buy
3	How to Draw Cool Stuff by Holmes	9.5/10	Buy
4	How to Draw Like an Artist by Martin	9.5/10	Buy
5	How to Draw Anything in 3D by Bloom	9.5/10	Buy

1

Art for Kids: Drawing by Temple

Kathryn Temple·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 112-page illustrated guide with a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 12 years, suited to 12-year-olds learning contour drawing and perspective; skip it if the reader wants 3D or optical-illusion projects.

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Pros

• Customer-listed reading age of 8 to 12 years covers a 12-year-old directly
• Lessons run from contour drawing to perspective, people and animals
• Illustrated edition from Union Square Kids, published April 1, 2014

Cons

• 112 pages is mid-range, not the most content here
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• No series to continue with

2

How to Draw Cool Things by Goldstein

Rachel A Goldstein·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 56-page book on optical illusions and 3D letters, book 8 of a 19-book series with a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 11 years, suited to 12-year-olds who like trick art; skip it if the reader wants fundamentals.

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Pros

• Optical illusions, 3D letters and cartooning effects stated
• Book 8 of a 19-book series gives a long runway
• Step-by-step lessons aimed at older kids and teens

Cons

• Listed reading age stops at 11, just below a 12-year-old reader
• 56 pages is the shortest book here
• Book 8 of 19 means earlier volumes may be needed first

3

How to Draw Cool Stuff by Holmes

Catherine V Holmes·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 253-page step-by-step guide from simple shapes to complex drawings, suited to 12-year-olds and teachers alike; skip it if the reader wants a book aimed only at kids.

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Pros

• 253 pages is the most content here
• Step-by-step lessons from basic shapes to complex drawings
• Suited to any age, per the description

Cons

• No reading age is stated
• Aimed at teachers and students, not only at kids
• Published March 17, 2014, the oldest edition here

4

How to Draw Like an Artist by Martin

Warren Martin·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 238-page 30-day guide from fundamentals to perspective with premium color illustrations, suited to dedicated 12-year-olds; skip it if the reader wants quick one-off projects.

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Pros

• 238 pages with a 30-day structured plan
• Premium color interior with detailed illustrations stated
• Covers fundamentals through perspective drawing

Cons

• No reading age is stated
• 5 by 8 in is the smallest format stated
• 30-day structure needs daily commitment

5

How to Draw Anything in 3D by Bloom

Leia Bloom·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 107-page 3D drawing book covering depth, light and shadow in 8.5 by 11 in format, suited to 12-year-olds curious about 3D art; skip it if the reader wants cartoon or character drawing.

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Pros

• 107 pages focused on 3D depth, light and shadow
• 8.5 by 11 in format suits large drawings
• Step-by-step lessons for beginner and intermediate artists

Cons

• No reading age is stated
• 3D focus only; no cartoon or character lessons stated
• Published November 3, 2023; no earlier volumes are stated

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More picks to compare

• 30 Days Learning to Draw by RogersFor 9+ readers who want a structured 30-day drawing plan.Check on Amazon
• Drawing Book by TakamoriFor kids 7 to 12 who want shading and texture practice.Check on Amazon
• How to Draw for 10-12 Year Olds by RobinFor 10 to 12-year-olds who want cute animals and dragons.Check on Amazon
• 3D Optical Illusions by BloomFor readers who want mind-bending 3D illusion projects.Check on Amazon
• How to Draw for Ages 8-12 by DoraFor 8 to 12-year-olds who want step-by-step cool drawings.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 19 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Two of the five list a reading age or grade level: the Temple book lists a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 12 years with grade level 3 and up, and the Goldstein book lists a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 11 years with grade level 4 to 6. The other three state no reading age. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best drawing books for 12 year olds

Match the reading age to the reader

Only two listings state a reading age. The Temple book gives a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 12 years, which includes a 12-year-old directly. The Goldstein book gives a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 11 years, so a 12-year-old sits just above the stated range; the book still suits a reader who wants trick art rather than fundamentals. The Holmes, Bloom and Martin books state no reading age and describe themselves for any age, teens or adults. See every middle grade book list for more age-matched picks.

Series or standalone

The Goldstein book is book 8 of a 19-book Drawing for Kids series, so a reader who likes it has more volumes to continue with. The other four are standalones. A series suits a reader who wants a long runway; a standalone suits a reader who wants one complete book. For younger siblings, see our best drawing books for 5 year olds.

Format and page count

Page counts here run from 56 pages on the Goldstein book to 253 pages on the Holmes book, with the Temple at 112, the Bloom at 107 and the Martin at 238. The Bloom book measures 8.5 by 11 in, the largest format stated, which suits big 3D drawings. More pages mean more lessons, but a shorter book finished beats a long book shelved.

Before you buy

• Check the print length and format on the listing: the Bloom book is 8.5 by 11 in, the Martin book is 5 by 8 in, and the others state no dimensions.
• For the Goldstein book, note it is book 8 of 19 in its series; the others are standalones.
• Compare the listed reading age against the reader: the Temple book covers 12 directly, the Goldstein book stops at 11, and three state no age at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these drawing books for?

The Temple book lists a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 12 years and the Goldstein book 8 to 11 years, both marked as from customers. The other three state no reading age and describe themselves for any age or for teens and adults.

Which book should a 12-year-old start with?

The Temple book is the only one whose listed reading age includes 12 directly, and its 112 pages cover contour drawing through perspective. The Goldstein book suits a 12-year-old who prefers optical illusions and 3D letters.

Are these books part of a series?

Only the Goldstein book: it is book 8 of 19 in the Drawing for Kids series. The Holmes, Temple, Bloom and Martin books are standalones.

Still deciding? Our top pickArt for Kids: Drawing by Temple

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Related lists

See every middle grade book list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: drawing books for 5 year olds, learn to draw books for 5 year olds, manga books for 12 year olds and english books for 12 year olds.