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Hi, my name is Melissa. Pour yourself a cup of tea and stay a while. I'm completely devoted to my Savior, madly in love with my husband, and joyously raising my daughters. I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy your time here!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Draw Write Now: Review and Giveaway!!!!

One of my favorite past times from childhood was drawing pictures using coloring books. I would work for hours getting the dimensions just right. In our school we had a choice: Music or Art. You could not participate in both and I chose band over art. Still, drawing was a fun pastime of mine until I went away to college and other things seemed to take up my time. Rose especially has seemed to acquire my love of drawing. She has several notebooks of different categories where she draws everything from Angry Birds to real birds! When I told her we were going to get to review some drawing books she was over the moon!

The Draw Write Now series from Draw Your World is a clear instructional series which combines handwriting and drawing. These non-consumable books encourage looking at handwriting as art and combines the two skills seamlessly. Each lesson includes several sentences about what the child will draw and clear directions for how to draw the picture. The sentences are written in manuscript, but can easily be transcribed into cursive you like. They generously sent me a fun package to review including the eight-book series and a variety of pencil grips.
I used paper which had room for a picture at the top as well as handwriting lines at the bottom. I first had the girls practice their handwriting, then move on to the picture. My reason was that I knew they would become so engrossed in their pictures the handwriting would possibly be forgotten. I was very pleased with how quickly they completed their copywork and how neat it looked!


I knew Rose would enjoy this series, but I wasn't sure about Beth. She likes to do things her own way and I'm having a hard time teaching her it's not always okay to decorate her words with smiley faces and flowers! She has clear artistic tendencies, but getting her to conform to set standards is not easy. I actually love her decorated letters and words, but I also want her to know they aren't always appropriate. I was shocked at how quickly her handwriting improved! She was incredibly focused on neatness and proportion of her letters for the first time.

Rose enjoyed drawing the pictures and also adding the background scenery. She made it her own and enjoyed coloring the scenes as well. She was so pleased with her work and I appreciated the simple instructions for her to follow. The books do not need to be completed in any particular order, but book 1 has the simplest pictures and instructions. Other topics in the series include a variety of science, historical, and geographical themes. These will be a lot of fun to include as we continue our studies throughout the years!



Although Grace is not really to the drawing or handwriting stage, the various pencil grips worked well for her. We tried several different ones and her favorite was the basic Pencil Grip. I love how it helps her know exactly how to hold the pencil so as she grows the grip will become second nature. From one who still doesn't hold a pencil correctly this is a great product!

The girls tried out the other grips as well. Beth particularly liked the Twist 'n Write. She uses this one frequently for a lot of her work! She likes to do things out-of-the-box by nature so I think that is why she is partial to this one!


Rose liked the idea of The Writing Claw, but said she felt like her fingers were too big to fit it. I think it was more a matter of too many years of not using a pencil grip. She did use one when she first started writing, but it has been about 3 years. I like how flexible this particular type was because it give the writer more individual control.
 I also really loved the pencils! They were so easy to use and had such smooth flow for writing. I have relegated these for handwriting/drawing only because they are so nice and we tend to break a lot of pencils around here with learning how much pressure to apply and all that.



Here is an example of Rose's artwork: 
Rose - 7 years old
Here is an example of Beth's artwork:
Beth - 5 years old
I am so proud of my girls, especially Beth. She always used to say, "I can't draw pretty pictures!" Now she says, "Can I PLEASE draw using my drawing book?" What a beautiful change.

Are you ready for an incredibly giveaway now? Draw Your World has generously donated a $50 gift card to be used on their site! Enter several ways below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer
I received the 8 book set of Draw Write Now and a pencil grip starter set in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. No other compensation was received

76 comments:

  1. I've been looking at these for a few weeks now and thinking about purchasing when we begin homeschooling in a few months. Thanks :)

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  2. Excited about this giveaway!!

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    1. I am too!!!! This has been one of my favorites!

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  3. My favorite resource is Book 1!

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    1. I do love book 1, but I like how the other books incorporate such a variety of themes!

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  4. I would love to have the whole Draw Write Now series. They have been on my wish list for awhile.

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  5. Probably the Draw Right Now books

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  6. I like the Draw, Write, Now books and can't wait to win them!

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  7. Love the tri-write crayons! Actually, I like everything at their store lol!

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    1. So hard to choose, right? The crayons are such a neat beginning resource!

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  8. My 5 and 8 year old children could really use both the books and pencil grips. My kindergartener has no interest in drawing or coloring because he lacks confidence and says he can't do it right. These books look like a great introduction for him. Also, I have another kind of pencil grip that the kids don't like that well and all of these pencil grips your children tried out look intriguing.

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    1. You should check out the starter set. It has a variety to choose from so you can find what works best. Each of my girls liked something different :)

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  9. I love the Draw Write Now books

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  10. I have the first 3 books in the Draw Write Now series, but I'd love book 5 to go along with our 50-state study this next school year!

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    1. I too am excited at how I'm going to be able to use these integrated into our studies over the years to come!

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  11. I would love to win this and give it a try. It sounds great!

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  12. Oh I would love any of them! I guess book 1 would be a good place to start :)

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    1. It is a good starting point :) There are a lot of basics covered there which will help with the other books.

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  13. Thank you for the awesome opportunity to win draw write now!!

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  14. My favorite I think is the Draw Write Now series - my kids would love it!

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  15. My 6 year old loves the Draw Write Now. We own book 1. I also require her do the written work first. Then she will sit content for up to an hour drawing and coloring her picture. I think she gains from both activities. She improves fine motor skills and the ability to follow directions and creates something that makes her proud. :)

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    1. This has totally revamped our handwriting routine and helped my girls actually look forward to practice!

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  16. I have one of these books & would love some more!

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  17. I would love to have the whole set of Draw-Write-Now books! My kids would love them. =)

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  18. book 4 looks interesting - probably my pick

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    1. My girls are in love with all things arctic at the moment :) great pick!

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  19. I've been looking at the Draw Write Now set, but just noticed the pencil grips. I think I need to try some of those. Love your products.

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    1. Their products are fabulous. I love the variety of pencil grips which are available. Kids are all so different.

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  20. I have purchased 2 but really like the look of all of them

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  21. I would love to own one of these!

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  22. I love the Draw Write Now books and have a few more on my wish list. But at the moment we'd love to try one of those unique pencils!

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    1. These are honestly the best pencils I've ever used! I usually get the cheapos at back-to-school sales, but I may start buying nicer ones now!

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  23. My son's handwriting and drawing have improved considerably using DWN. I also love the teaching tips and recommended books to go along with the drawing lessons.

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    1. I loved that part too. Handwriting seems straight forward, but having a little guidance along the way helped me out so much.

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  24. I have had my eye on the Draw Write Now books for some time!

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    1. I'm surprised how many of my friends haven't heard of them yet!

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  25. The Draw Write Now books have been on my wish list for a while!

    Kim @ Homestead Acres

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    1. I have a super long wishlist! It just keeps getting longer :)

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  26. The Draw Write Now books look like they would really help improve my daughters handwriting. The pencil grips look cool too.

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  27. I would love to own the entire boxed set! It has been on our wish list for years now. Alyssa loves to draw and would get a kick out of using these books. Thank you for the opportunity.

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    1. I love your daughter's name. I have a sweet niece named Alyssa!

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  28. I would definitely get each kid a Bookzup holder, I can see so many uses for this!

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    1. I think that is so cool too! I'm thinking about getting one myself.

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  29. My 6 yr old would benefit from this so much, I also love the pencil grip which I must get for my 8 yr old who holds his pencil strangely (a bit like his mummy!).

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    1. I hold my pencil awkwardly too, but I'm not sure I could relearn. My parents said my teachers told them it didn't really matter and wouldn't enforce correct grip at school. Now my hands get so tired when I'm writing. I love the tools for helping my kids out!

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  30. My oldest would love to go through these - she's such a doodle-er :)

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    1. My daughter has notebooks upon notebooks of drawings, each categorized for different themes. You have to love a doodler!

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  31. We love these books & after looking over their website I really like the BookzUp.

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    1. That looks so neat! I think I want to get 1 for each of my girls eventually.

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  32. We would love to try this. I like book 1.

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  33. Any of the Draw Write Now books look great, but my daughter could really use one of the pencil grips to help her hold a pencil correctly. I didn't even realize they sold so many different kinds!

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    1. The variety has been so great with so many kids who are so unique in one house.

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  34. We LOVE Draw, Write, Now! Thanks for the chance to win! *Ü*

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  35. I think the pencil grip starter set is really neat. Thanks for doing this giveaway!

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    1. I found it fascinating that each of the girls liked something different!

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  36. I love the Draw Write Now series. Awesome giveaway!

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  37. Probably the Draw Right Now books

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  38. Probably the Draw Right Now books

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