Draw Manga: Step-by-Steps, Character Construction, and Projects from the Masters by Sweatdrop Studios

Inside Draw Manga, 140 color illustrations and easy-to-follow directions are divided into three sections: basic tutorials; how to turn raw ideas into finished comics; and projects from the masters, with exhaustive detail on producing professional-grade artwork.

Draw Manga covers not only traditional media such as colored markers, pencils, and watercolors, but also computer-generated manga. And there's advice on special techniques for drawing the distinctive eyes and hairstyles that are the genre's hallmark, as well as on character creation, developing a first sketch, using color and motion, sequencing, pacing, and more.

In Draw Manga, professional manga artists reveal their secrets for drawing individual character elements and creating an effective manga character!

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Draw Manga is divided into three parts. 1.) Basic tutorials 2.) Creations and 3.) Projects.

Part 1 Is a very quick descriptions on how to draw heads, eyes and other body parts. It is not kidding when it says BASIC tutorials. They are quick, and definitely not for the beginner as the book describes. Part 2 is supposed to be step by step creations. This part of the book is to put what you learned in part 1 into action. But its not step by step. In fact it is mostly talking about what is implied by the drawing vs how to draw it (how confident the character looks because of where his head is tilted). Once again this part is not for beginners.
Part 3 the projects. They seem like more complete version of part 2. Having backgrounds added in and shading. Very much not beginner friendly.

i would guess that it is maybe in the "Advanced Beginner" category, because it does expect you to know some stuff already, and it doesn't take the time I would have liked to explain everything. Me being a Non-Artist, I was hoping to gain something from this book, but I mostly got frustrated. The first sketch they expect you to do after Part 1 is a full body and face.

This Isn't to say this book is bad, as I don't believe it is, but, it isn't one I would have picked up had I known its contents ahead of time, and it probably would have been that book that sat on my shelf forever not being read, or being given to a little cousin who can draw better than me..... >.>

It is something I could see as useful for those who have some general skills in art and who have some previous knowledge with drawing Manga. I like this book as it is, if it wasn't marketed as a beginners book.

Pages : 128

Can check it out on Amazon Here 

Knights Club:The Bands of Bravery by Shuky

"Introducing a new series of interactive, pick-your-panel graphic novels for middle grade readers, full of adventure, magic, and fun! Knights Club is a hilarious, medieval-themed quest for bravery and glory.

The year is 1012 in the kingdom of the good king Louilepou. Three brothers dream of joining the Royal Order of Knights: fearless adventurers, able to travel long distances, slay the most dangerous theives, and defend the valorous peasants. And one of these brothers is you!

But the road to knighthood is long. You must journey through snowy mountains, haunted lakes, and dark forests in search of the bracelets of bravery. During your expedition you will come face-to-face with a troll, an old wizard, or a warrior. You must solve riddles, discover hidden compartments, learn combat techniques, and gather magical objects. Your success depends on your choices alone, because the hero is you!"

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Originally published in 2012 in France as Chevaliers: Journal D'un Heros , this book feels like a throw back to the build-your-own adventure goosebumps books I read as a child. Couple this with me being an avid Dungeons and Dragons player and DM, I had a blast following this adventure! It has a few "game overs" and some surprises that break the 4th wall.... but all of this will keep kids coming back to this story. 

Its full color pages are engaging, and knowing where to go is easy with a quick three page "how-to" at the front. The digital copy I received had 6 character trackers that were dotted (unsure if they will be perforated or simply dotted and need cutting out) but could easily be copied onto lined paper, or in a machine if this book is bought for a classroom.

This story is set apart from other "choose your story books" by having you keep track of what you have done/earned and makes reading feel like a game. The puzzles in it add an extra layer of problem solving that isn't always there in a book, let alone a game.

I cant suggest this book for a Kindle read, as the way you read this book is difficult on a computer (how I received my ARC copy) and I imagine would be slightly frustrating on a small screen as well.

This book is set to release on September 4th 2018 on Amazon here And is now available for preorder!

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Here are a few of the pages from the book to give you an example of the artwork and how this choose your own story flows! (I purposely didn't get the frame # in that second picture as to not ruin the story! And please excuse the grainy quality, that is my phone not the comic!)

   

   

As you can see, your decisions have numbers attached, and you follow the numbers to whatever panel is next in the story progression. This means that sometimes you will visit the same page several times, and that each read through can be different than all the previous ones! You can also see how vibrant and colorful this comic is, and wonderfully detailed in ways it doesn't have to be but it is!

The Taco Tuesday Cookbook by Laura Fuentes

"The Taco Tuesday Cookbook is the cookbook your family’s been dreaming of, because if there’s one thing we all can agree on, it’s that tacos are awesome. They’re customizable. They’re quick. They’re tasty. And most importantly, they make us all happy!"

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So I haven't ever reviewed a cookbook before but who can pass up Tacos?? I mean they are tacos! The most awesome thing in the world.

So first off, it is exactly what it says it is : A cookbook about tacos. This book gives you 52 taco recipes so you can literally have a different taco every Tuesday for a whole year. It also provides sauce and drink recipes to add to your amazing main dish! One of the more interesting parts is the recipes for gluten free, vegetarian and paleo options, which means that dietary restrictions shouldn't stop you from 1.) purchasing this book and 2.) eating some freaking tacos on Taco Tuesday!

I did learn something from this book. I have had breakfast burritos before, but until this book I hadn't thought about breakfast tacos, and that alone made me so very excited to keep browsing this book. (Yes browsing, its a cookbook, I'm not going to read every single recipe) Also, the my daughter caught me looking at the breakfast tacos and we ended up having them for breakfast (Totally recommend the black bean and queso breakfast tacos!) and insisted we have tacos for breakfast this morning.

The last thing I would like to say about this cookbook, is that you dont have to have a ridiculous amount of time or money to make these tacos. The breakfast one we had actually said "1 can black beans" because this author KNOWS that soaking beans overnight just for breakfast tacos isn't always something someone can do when you have kids. These are easy recipes that would make a great edition to anyones house.

Fizz Boom Bath by Caroline & Isabel Bercaw

"Have you ever been at a store and found yourself staring longingly at a table full of scrumptious-looking bath bombs, shower melts, or lotion bars and thought, “Gee, it would be fun to make these at home, but where the heck would I begin?!” Well, we’re here to take the mystery out of bath and body recipes and give you all the tools you need to crown yourself Archbishop of Bathtopia. We’ll hold your hand every step of the way, and then we’ll exfoliate it with some sugar scrub when we’re finished! This book will teach you how to create all kinds of delightful, natural, homemade treats. From fizzers to scrubs, masks to soaps, bubble bars to shower melts, we’ve got you covered."


Written by the two sisters that brought us DaBombFizzers ; and helped spark the popularity of the bath bomb; these teenage "Archbishops of Bathtopia" have a deep understanding of the process and ingredients involved, and the ability to transfer that knowledge to you in book form!

They list everything you could need right up front, both ingredients and equipment. The next part of the book a recipe for a basic bomb, then a whole ton of variations that they actually sell in stores. The last part of the book has all kinds of other "self care" products, such as body scrubs, shower jellies,(which are easier to make than I thought!) and a setting spray I am excited to try.

The artwork is full color, and beautiful renditions of their product ( and what yours could look like!) My daughter is loving this book (even if its on a computer right now) and Im pretty sure she is going to make us buy one when it comes out, and I am waiting for that day.

Release is scheduled for August 7th 2018 here!