Book SmARTS & Crafts: Crafts & Activities for Kids

Some winning ideas for enhancing story time programs are presented in this production. Riley Roam, aka Page Turner, and her goofy sidekick Kenny Mikey offer a variety of craft ideas designed to be paired with specific books, instructions for making props to use in presenting stories, ideas for storytelling, and movement/song suggestions. The activities will appeal to a range of ages from preschoolers to tweens. The theme of the production is "Around the World," with modules focusing on world travel, Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Americas. Each segment begins with an introduction in which Roam highlights the activities and presents the books that inspired them. She enthusiastically conveys her love of children's literature and provides the reasons why the chosen books work especially well for programs. Her demonstrations of craft projects are great for visual learners. She uses mostly inexpensive and recycled materials to construct tea box trunks, peanut Anansi spiders, Styrofoam plate boomerangs and airplanes, manila folder fairy tale hats, and much more. Props for storytellers include a Mo Willems Pigeon puppet, an apron with pockets, a totem pole that can be disassembled, and a noodlehead hat. Roam teaches a simple African dance, shows how to do a motion story with a group of children, and performs fun versions of two favorite story time songs ("The Duke of York" and "My Aunt Came Back"). Excellent production quality, breezy musical accompaniment, humorous antics from Mikey, and inspiring craft ideas make this program first rate.—Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH