How to Draw a Kid Reading (Easy Step by Step)
A kid reading is a calm, cozy drawing built from circles, curves, and rectangles. You start with the hair and a round head, add a smiling face and an open book with a little star, and finish with a stack of books on the side.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a kid reading step by step
How to Draw a Kid Reading · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Hair and side locks
Draw a big curved line over the top of the head, then a second curve just inside it to make the hair. Let both sides of the hair come down, and finish each side with a little loop, like a small pigtail.
Step 3: The bangs
Draw a gentle curved line across the forehead, from one side of the hair to the other, like a smile turned upside down.
Step 4: Collar and arms
Under the head, draw a short bumpy line for the collar. Then draw a wiggly line going down from each end for the arms.
Step 5: Face and open book
Add two small dots for eyes and a curvy smile in the middle of the face. Then draw the open book below the chin with a line down the middle and a sloping line on each side across the top.
Step 6: Hands and book bottom
Draw a small circle for a hand at the end of each side of the book. Join the two hands with a wavy line along the bottom of the book.
Step 7: A little star
On the left page of the book, draw a small star shape. Keep it small so it fits on the page.
Step 8: Lap and feet
Draw a wide curved band across the lap under the book. Then add a long, soft line below it with a small oval foot at each end.
Step 9: The stack of books
Beside the reader, draw three wide rectangles stacked on top of each other. Add a long rounded stripe inside each one for the pages.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your kid reading? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a school bus or how to draw a backpack next.
Tips for drawing a kid reading
- The open book is the trickiest part. Draw the center line first, then slope the two top edges down toward it so the pages look like they are opening.
- Keep the hands as simple circles. They sit at the bottom corners of the book, so the arms only need to be wiggly lines reaching down.
- Draw the star small and simple, right in the middle of the left page.
- Make the three books in the stack a little different in width so the pile looks natural.
Free kid reading coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this kid reading coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your kid reading drawing
Try warm brown or yellow hair, a book cover in a favorite color, and a yellow star on the page. For a fun twist, color each book in the stack a different color, such as red, blue, and green.
Kid reading fun fact for kids
The word "library" comes from the Latin word "liber", which means book.
Questions about drawing a kid reading
What shapes do I need to draw a kid reading?
You need curved lines for the hair, two dots and a curve for the face, a few straight and sloping lines for the open book, small circles for the hands, ovals for the feet, and rectangles for the stack of books.
How do I make the kid look cuter?
Keep the eyes as two small dots and the smile small and curvy. A simple face on a big round head looks extra sweet.
How do I draw an open book?
Start with a straight line down the middle, then add a sloping line on each side across the top, like a gentle roof. Close the bottom with a soft wavy line so the pages look open.
