Ellie Wants to Draw by Avery Smart

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Ellie Wants to Draw


Ellie Wants to Draw: A Doodle Dilemma (Ellie The Chick Book 5)

Ellie Wants to Draw is a Relatable Tale for Every Young Artist (and Their Parents)

I picked up this book because my child loves to draw on paper, on tables, and yes, even on the walls. And from the very first page, we were both hooked.

I loved how the story celebrated that creative energy. Ellie draws everything from castles to rockets, and when the paper runs out, she starts doodling on the walls of her cozy coop.

It made my little one giggle, but I also appreciated how the book gently addressed what happens when that creativity gets a little out of bounds.

When Ellie realizes that her drawings have turned into a full-house mural, there’s a moment of real tension that any parent (and child) can relate to.

The Excitement of Creating

I found myself nodding along with Ellie’s feelings: the excitement of creating, the guilt when it goes too far, and the courage it takes to face the consequences.

What I really like is how the story didn’t shame Ellie or make creativity feel like a “problem.” Instead, it offered a sweet reminder that being an artist also means being thoughtful about where and how we express ourselves.

That’s a message I’m happy to share with my child. The illustrations are lively and fun, packed with little details that kept my toddler engaged on every page.

We spent time pointing out what Ellie drew, talking about what’s okay to draw on, and even ended up setting up a special “drawing zone” at home after reading.

Overall, Ellie Wants to Draw is a beautifully told story that balances imagination and responsibility in a way kids can truly understand. It gave me the perfect opening to talk about boundaries—not in a scolding way, but through a character my child adores.

If you’re raising a little artist like I am, this book is a must-read.

(c) Andre Oentoro

Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video production company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).

https://breadnbeyond.com/author/andre

Twitter: @breadnbeyond

Order your copy of Ellie Wants to Draw: A Doodle Dilemma online here.

And you can read reviews of more Ellie books on Writing.ie here.

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