8 Ways To Draw Fish

K-Gr 4—An encouraging exercise that emphasizes imagination and the representational possibilities of art. Martelo not only provides instructions on how to draw a realistic-looking fish but also asks readers to consider the relationship between design and nature—in this case, patterns and fish scales. Purposeful content on why fish are shaped differently or how there are many ways to draw water teaches children how to look at and read an image (e.g., a simple bend in a line can invoke movement). The inside cover flaps are used as an introduction and conclusion to the book. The question, "What Is Art?" is paired with four steps that chronicle the journey from a photographic representation of a fish to a stylized drawing of it. By continually posing thoughtful questions, Martelo sheds light on the process of artists—continually pausing to reflect as they create a representation in their own unique way. However, the text occasionally instructs readers to draw in the volume. The conclusion offers information about the various illustrators, each of whom are from different regions of India. Their work focuses on indigenous, decorative, and ritual designs that celebrate the natural world.