Creativity Unleashed
RSSReviewed by Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, MD -- School Library Journal, 04/01/2010
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Arts & Crafts Preschool to Grade 4 Grades 5 & Up The Bottom Line |
Arts & Crafts
A well-designed and well-written how-to book can hook even children who have little interest in the intrinsic rewards of reading. If all that stands between them and a flourless chocolate cake are a few numbered steps and a list of supplies, they may find that cake to be more than sufficient motivation. In addition, many schools are putting more and more emphasis on procedural writing, and will find it useful to have examples in the library that fit multiple interest areas and age ranges.
Preschool to Grade 4
BEAUMONT, Steve. Drawing Diplodocus and Other Plant-Eating Dinosaurs ISBN 978-1-61531-902-2. LC 2009033274.BEAUMONT, Steve. Drawing Giganotosaurus and Other Giant Dinosaurs ISBN 978-1-61531-905-3. LC 2009033269.
BEAUMONT, Steve. Drawing Plesiosaurus and Other Ocean Dinosaurs ISBN 978-1-61531-903-9. LC 2009033266.
BEAUMONT, Steve. Drawing Pteranodon and Other Flying Dinosaurs ISBN 978-1-61531-904-6. LC 2009033318.
BEAUMONT, Steve. Drawing T. Rex and Other Meat-Eating Dinosaurs ISBN 978-1-61531-907-7. LC 2009033264.
BEAUMONT, Steve. Drawing Triceratops and Other Armored Dinosaurs ISBN 978-1-61531-906-0. LC 2009033250. ea vol: 32p. (Drawing Dinosaurs Series). illus. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. Apr. 2010. PLB $25.25.
Gr 2-5–Exciting, comic-book-style covers will draw young artists to these works, and detailed step-by-step drawings will help them achieve successful results. Each book contains an identical introductory section on drawing tools and tips, then concentrates on a single feature (eyes, feet) before giving clear instructions for drawing three anatomically similar dinosaur species and a sample landscape. The steps guide readers so closely that some artists might find the level of detail intimidating, but the hand-holding is effective, since readers will easily see how to get from one stage of drawing to the next.
BROWN, Tessa Costume Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3555-8. LC 2009041570.LOCKE, Sue Back-to-School Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3542-8. LC 2009037143.
SKILLICORN, Helen Friendship Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3558-9. LC 2009041571.
SKILLICORN, Helen. Spooky Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3564-0. LC 2009039233.
SPEECHLEY, Greta. Arts and Crafts for Myths and Tales. ISBN 978-1-4339-3567-1. LC 2009041573.
SPEECHLEY, Greta. Backyard Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3546-6. LC 2009041569.
SPEECHLEY, Greta. Bead Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3549-7. LC 2009037191.
SPEECHLEY, Greta. Birthday Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3552-7. LC 2009037145.
SPEECHLEY, Greta. Valentine Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3600-5. LC 2009039324.
SPEECHLEY, Greta. World Crafts ISBN 978-1-4339-3561-9. LC 2009041574. ea vol: 32p. (Creative Crafts for Kids Series). photos. glossary. index. CIP. Gareth Stevens Apr. 2010. PLB $28.
Gr 2-5–These short volumes pack in 12 crafts projects each, resulting in terse instructions (“When the muslin has dried, paint the outside of the cauldron black, then spray it silver”) and space for only small photos. Although readers are advised to look for supplies around the house, some projects cannot be completed without specialty materials such as craft foam, writing icing, or tile cement. Projects range from simple to relatively complex. Children are photographed displaying the completed projects, which look like kids could actually create them.
PRICE, Pam Cool Cakes & Cupcakes: Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake ISBN 978-1-60453-774-1. LC 2009027373.PRICE, Pam. Cool Cookies & Bars: Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake ISBN 978-1-60453-775-8. LC 2009025790.
PRICE, Pam. Cool Holiday Treats: Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake ISBN 978-1-60453-776-5. LC 2009029858.
PRICE, Pam. Cool Pet Treats: Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake ISBN 978-1-60453-777-2. LC 2009029851.
PRICE, Pam. Cool Pies & Tarts: Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake ISBN 978-1-60453-778-9. LC 2009025744.
PRICE, Pam. Cool Quick Breads: Easy Recipes for Kids to Bake ISBN 978-1-60453-779-6. LC 2009025743. ea vol: 32p. (Cool Baking Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABDO/Checkerboard Library 2010. PLB $17.95.
Gr 3-6–A retro look and appetizing photos are among the best features of these information-rich books. Safety, tools, supervision, and ingredients are addressed in introductory sections, followed by seven easy recipes per volume. Children are encouraged to try variations on the recipes and to experiment, but to seek adult guidance where appropriate. Recipes range from the classic (pecan pie) to the truly unusual (cheddar cornbread dog biscuits). The design is rather cluttered, and some details might be overlooked because of it; instructions are broken into minute steps. While these titles will be excellent for teaching procedural writing and are fun to check out, they will not replace larger, more comprehensive kids’ cookbooks.
SCHUH, Mari All Kinds of Gardens ISBN 978-1-4296-3981-1. LC 2009025588.SCHUH, Mari. Animals in the Garden ISBN 978-1-4296-3982-8. LC 2009025590.
SCHUH, Mari. Growing a Garden ISBN 978-1-4296-3984-2. LC 2009025593.
SCHUH, Mari. Tools for the Garden ISBN 978-1-4296-3983-5. LC 2009025591. ea vol: 24p. (Gardens Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Capstone/Pebble Bks. 2010. PLB $18.65.
PreK-Gr 2–Each spread in these attractive titles provides a large, vivid photograph on one side, opposite a sentence or two of friendly text that teaches the basics while introducing new words and encouraging reading practice. Shiny, colorful covers and a diverse cast of adults and children make this series an appealing addition that ups the ante for this type of material.
Grades 5 & Up
CIVARDI, Anne Bags and Purses ISBN 978-1-59771-207-1. LC 20080043069.CIVARDI, Anne. Bowls and Boxes ISBN 978-1-59771-210-1. LC 20080043070.
CIVARDI, Anne. Festival Decorations ISBN 978-1-59771-208-8. LC 20080043071.
THOMSON, Ruth Masks ISBN 978-1-59771-211-8. LC 20080043867.
THOMSON, Ruth. Musical Instruments ISBN 978-1-59771-212-5. LC 20080043869.
THOMSON, Ruth. Toys and Models ISBN 978-1-59771-209-5. LC 20080043868. ea vol: 32p. (World of Design Series). photos. glossary. index. CIP. Sea-to-Sea 2010. PLB $28.50.
Gr 3-8–Read, make. Read, make. That’s the pattern for these colorful and interesting books that mix cultural history with wonderful do-it-yourself projects from all over the world. A spread on the history, significance, and use of a type of item–say, a puppet–is immediately followed by instructions for making one. Materials include items from the recycling bin (plastic bottles, boxes) and the yard (twigs), but also specialty craft supplies such as air-drying clay and laminated cotton fabric. Techniques are mostly simple–cutting, gluing, painting–but some projects require sewing or papier mâché, and crafters will need help from an adult.
SIRRINE, Carol Cool Crafts with Old CDs: Green Projects for Resourceful Kids ISBN 978-1-4296-4007-7. LC 2009035404.SIRRINE, Carol. Cool Crafts with Old Jeans: Green Projects for Resourceful Kids ISBN 978-1-4296-4006-0. LC 2009031793.
SIRRINE, Carol. Cool Crafts with Old T-shirts: Green Projects for Resourceful Kids ISBN 978-1-4296-4009-1. LC 2009033263.
SIRRINE, Carol.Cool Crafts with Old Wrappers, Cans, and Bottles: Green Projects for Resourceful Kids ISBN 978-1-4296-4008-4. LC 2009033554. ea vol: 32p. (Green Crafts Series). chart. photos. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Capstone/Snap Bks. 2010. PLB $26.65.
Gr 3-8–Adults and children will see the creative potential in cast-off items once they’ve gotten their hands on these books. After a minimal amount of introductory text about environmental awareness and terminology, each volume delivers instructions for 9 or 10 useful and/or decorative crafts. Steps are easy to follow and well documented, and the projects encourage experimentation and creativity. Materials are generally easy to find. Skills required vary–the younger readers in the grade range may need a little adult assistance, but the older ones will have no problem executing these projects all by themselves. This series is original, well-presented, and bound to inspire classroom and individual projects.
The Bottom Line
Capstone’s “Green Crafts” and Sea-to-Sea’s “World of Design” are far above average in terms of both originality and theme. The crafts are interesting and achievable, the steps are easy to follow, and the design is attractive and doesn’t get in the way. Gareth Stevens’s “Creative Crafts for Kids” offers a multitude of projects for the confident crafter and ABDO’s “Cool Baking” will be useful where interest exists. Capstone’s “Gardens” is a friendly and colorful addition to the nonfiction beginning-reader section, while Rosen’s “Drawing Dinosaurs” offers above-average drawing instruction–look for more from author Steve Beaumont.
