"Do Not Disturb, I'm Drawing"

Tali Frankel-Hochman, Expert Clinical Psychologist, therapist for children, adolescents, and adults. Draws with her children and learns from them about everything:

“Michal Bogin Feinberg's book invites the reader on a fascinating journey along the stages of drawing development in young children, with explanations of each stage in accessible language understandable to any reader, alongside deep observation of the psyche and the world of therapy as reflected in each of these stages. Reading the book is recommended for all therapy and education professionals exposed to drawing and creation in their work, as well as for parents of children seeking to understand their children's inner world and turn the act of drawing into a delightful, developmental, and meaningful experience.”

Ronit Gabai, Art Therapist (MA):

“Please Don't Disturb, I'm Drawing opened another window for me to the magic that happens in the encounters between material and creator. Michal gathered in the book a diverse and heart-and-eye-delighting collection of drawings from around the world, through which she reveals the natural developmental potential inherent in the creative process from the toddler's uncontrolled scribble to the artist's brushstroke. I found useful information for me as a therapist; the case stories are moving and allow a glimpse into the safe therapeutic space she created for her clients and to trace the different stages in the art therapy process. The flowing and clear writing makes the professional material accessible even for readers outside the therapeutic field, and parents who adopt the tips in the book will be able to provide their children with a development-encouraging creative environment and many shared moments of enjoyment. Highly recommended for parents and therapists, for deepening knowledge, practical tips, reading pleasure, and delightful browsing through children's drawings from around the world.”

Anna Ben Shabbat, mother of a 3-year-old:

“I can say that reading the book forever changed the way I look at my son's drawings. Suddenly every circle and dot has meaning to me, and I know yet am curious to see how the drawing will develop in a few months and years. I stopped asking "what did you draw" every time we sit down to draw together, and I mostly enjoy watching the creation with wonder and understanding that my child's soul is blooming and growing. These scribbles are full of emotion and meaning, and that moves me.”

Hagit, Art Therapist:

“Hi Michal I'm so impressed by the book I wanted to thank you and express so much appreciation for the investment the amazing idea the creativity the light and accessible style I never thought there was a connection between the early scribble and the mature scribble in therapy A truly amazing idea Well done Keep surprising and innovating”

Amazon Reviewer (h.c):

“The best guide on children's drawings. Bogin Feinberg did a wonderful job by the development of children drawings. The book is packed with interesting examples of drawings, clear explanations and updated theoretical knowledge.”

Einat, Music Therapist:

“OK. So I read it last night. Charming, accessible, sensitive. On one hand, written simply and clearly. On the other hand, it brings depth, teaches, and explains. The book conveys the message, and does so with felt gentleness and love. I think I can now name the stages and their meanings, and also notice them in drawings I see in the future. I swear.”

Orly Burg, Art Therapist:

“Dear Michal, thank you for a charming and useful book. As an art therapist, the book is an important tool for understanding children's development and growth. It differs from other books because it helps understand the child's emotional development, not just diagnosing difficulties and problems expressed in drawings. Additionally, I'm a grandmother to 3 lovely grandchildren. Your book accompanies me as I observe their drawings and identify each time something new growing — here's a circle, here's a dot inside the circle, crossing lines, and more — and my heart fills with joy when I see the growth and development. You wrote your book with love and empathy for growing children. The observation of the process comes from a place of wonder and respect for the growing child expressing their inner world through drawing. Highly recommended for professionals and also for parents, grandparents who can joyfully and pleasurably follow their children's emotional development.”

Prof. Amia Lieblich:

“Dear Michal, the book is very beautiful and impressive, both the text and the drawings that illustrate things so beautifully and authentically. For you, it's a language you understand freely, but for us — regardless of education and experience — it's vague and seems almost random, just 'development' and what that means. As a young mother, I used to save my children's drawings and hang them proudly, but I never thought about the circle, the line, the mixing and separation in those drawings, as you describe and explain in the book. From now on, I'll look at my little grandson's drawings with new eyes. Thank you so much for opening my eyes.”

Amazon Reviewer (AATaleghani):

“Great Read For Any Parent. This is a great book that really opens your eyes to appreciating your child's art. It has you take a deeper look into their artist creations and gives great tips on bringing our your child's artistic side. I never knew that drawing had such a vital link into self expression and discovery. Highly recommend.”

Kalanit, mother of 3:

“Dear Michal, I really enjoyed reading the book. It was interesting, fascinating, and impossible to ignore the many insights I formed for myself from reading it. Already waiting for the next book!”

Galila Oren, Drama Therapist – Tel Hai College:

“The book is delightful! Educational, joyful, gives proportions, and opens thinking. Recommended for anyone who loves watching children grow, draw, and play.”

Shabi Medzini, Senior Lecturer at the Academic College for Society and Arts:

“The colorful and fascinating book written by Michal Bogin, "Please Don't Disturb, I'm Drawing," contains important knowledge for parents, educators, art therapy professionals, psychologists, and in general — for anyone curious. The book is very readable, professional, and creative. When I opened the book, a magical world of shapes and colors was revealed to me. Later, when I read in depth, I understood how all the shapes and colors communicate and tell about the development of the child's inner world. As a lecturer at Lesley College, I warmly recommended my art therapy students to read it. I fell in love with the book and highly recommend it.”

Dr. Hanna Soker-Schwager, Senior Lecturer in Literature, Ben-Gurion University:

“Michal Bogin's book is a masterpiece of intelligent and imaginative writing that invites readers on a fascinating journey of observation, listening, and excitement during the encounter between adult and child in the process of drawing and creation. The author masterfully describes what happens in the toddler's growth process, from the most primary lines, the innocent scribbles, to the formation of the circle with a tiny dot at its heart and the creation of the cross where two lines intersect and open to infinite possibilities.”

Racheli, Social Worker:

“The book opens eyes and hearts. Highly recommended. For parents, holiday gifts, parents of toddlers, and therapists.”

Tamar, Movement Therapist:

“You have no idea how much the book you wrote serves me as a mother and as a therapist.”

Yael Peleg Tsalim:

“Dear Michal, I really enjoy your book. "Sometimes one therapy session creates changes across several generations, both horizontally and vertically" (p. 144) — sometimes books do too. Huge thanks.”

Eden:

“A fascinating and educational book, written in an understandable way. Another look, in practice, into the child's world. It helped me greatly, both as an education student and in working with children. It's a language that gives more depth. Thank you for the book.”

Reut:

“Hi Michal, I'm still at the beginning of the book, but filled with excitement from almost every sentence of yours. I feel it is so important, both as a mother (of three little ones, exactly at the ages discussed) and as an art therapist in special education kindergartens. You illuminate such important points, and I'm really trying to remember and internalize every word. Thank you!”

Roni Shapira, Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalyst, author of the book "Pooh's Cradle – The Psyche of Children, Parents, and Therapists":

“Michal, I so enjoyed reading your book and I keep going back to it. The book is fascinating and so important. The parallel between the development of drawing and emotional development is both very interesting and very important. It contains so many things that are new to me and that open up an entire world. The book is also very readable and beautifully designed, so aesthetic and pleasing to the eye. The connection to the artworks and their presentation is a delight. Well done.”