Review: Doodle Washington D.C.

In our homeschool, we are always looking for ways to bridge the gap between subjects, and D.C. Landmarks (part of our Timberdoodle curriculum) is where art meets history in a truly accessible way. Neither my husband nor I have visited Washington, D.C., and our daughter hasn't either, so many of the monuments and historical sites featured in the book were entirely new to us. However, this lack of prior knowledge hasn't hindered our progress in the slightest. When we encounter a landmark we aren't familiar with, I simply treat it as a "mini-research" moment—I look it up, gather the key facts, and then explain the significance to her in a way that is easy for a five-year-old to grasp.

The structure of the book is refreshingly simple. Some pages require the student to draw a specific landmark from their imagination, while others challenge them to carefully copy a piece of U.S. history. Because our daughter is a natural artist who loves to spend her time drawing, she has taken to this book with immense enthusiasm. It doesn't feel like a dry history lesson; instead, it feels like a creative exploration of our nation's capital. It allows her to build a visual library of American heritage while simultaneously practicing her fine motor skills and observational drawing.

From a teaching perspective, I appreciate that the activities are low-stress but high-impact. It’s the perfect supplemental tool to enhance a social studies block or to serve as a "quiet time" art activity that still carries educational weight. It turns abstract historical concepts into tangible drawings that stay in a child's memory much longer than a simple lecture might. By the time we actually make it to D.C. for a real-life visit, she’ll already have a personal connection to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument through her own sketches.

If you are looking for a meaningful way to integrate American history into your art class—or vice versa—this book is a wonderful resource. It is simple, engaging, and perfect for young students who learn best through their hands. We have found it to be a lovely addition to our 2nd-grade year, proving that you don't need to have traveled to a place to appreciate its historical beauty and significance.

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