Gr 4-6-Heroes! is full of ideas for crime-fighter costumes, mask expressions, and stances. In Monsters!, the subjects include hideous heads and bizarre bodies, and children learn how to create texture and add color. Neither book takes the step-by-step approach; the emphasis is more on using one's imagination based on the ideas presented. Both titles are most appropriate for children who have mastered the basic steps and are ready to add color, details, expression, and action. The illustrations are simple and bright, and the artist has made good use of white backgrounds to help them pop out. Text is more caption than straight narrative. Good choices for young artists who have gone beyond Lee J. Ames's "Draw 50" series (Broadway) and Freddie Levin's "1-2-3-Draw" series (Peel).-Judy Chichinski, Skyline Elementary School, Tacoma, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Stephens offers guidance for imagining then drawing heroes and monsters. Starting with simple lines and shapes, he demonstrates how to build human, animal, or imaginary figures (though the pages' busyness make the actual directions hard to follow). Stephens also offers historical tidbits and shows how costumes, face and body shapes, and colors will influence how drawn creatures are perceived. [Review covers these titles: Heroes! and Monsters!] (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.