Families who loved Frida and Bear Play the Shape Game! by Anthony Browne often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is staring at a blank piece of paper and feeling discouraged, or when they claim they are bored and have nothing to do. It is the perfect antidote to creative paralysis, turning the act of drawing from a performance into a collaborative game. Through a series of simple visual prompts, the characters show how a single line or a random squiggle can be the start of something wonderful. Frida and Bear engage in 'The Shape Game,' where one person draws an abstract shape and the other transforms it into a recognizable object. The book captures the joy of collaborative play and the power of 'what if' thinking. It is ideal for children ages 3 to 7 who are developing fine motor skills and lateral thinking, providing a low-stakes way to explore art without the pressure of making things look perfect. You might choose this to foster a growth mindset and to encourage your child to see the world as a canvas of hidden possibilities.
