Customer Reviews

American Girls Handy Book

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Originally published in 1887. Not politically correct! And lots of fun. My daughters and I can learn how to: make Easter egg dolls; weave a rope net for lawn tennis or a hammock; make May-baskets to hang on neighbors' and friends' doors; plan a picnic, burgoo, or corn-roast; make our own daytime "fireworks" for Independence Day; make leaf prints, cornhusk dolls, flower sprays and a variety of seasonal garlands; host autumn nutting parties; understand the decorative language of flowers and heraldry; furnish a seaside cottage with beach-gathered items; and make fairy-dancer boxes and sachets to give as Christmas gifts. This book shows girls how to: be creative, curious, and crafty; make lots of fun out of very little material; notice nature and nurture their bodies, minds, and spirits. This book is a marvelous antidote to everything that irks me about the end of THIS century. A breath of fresh air.

Sure, it might be a little outdated, but it's a great glimpse into a past time. And today's kids would probably enjoy the chance to do some old-fashioned things described in this book, like making their own hammock or refurbishing some old furniture. The instructions for painting and drawing and basic and useful, and many of the ideas presented are things forgotten about and could stand resurrection. Lots of attention paid to girls getting exercise and being healthy, contrary to modern perceptions of Victorian women. Good for parents and teachers, and kids who are fond of history and open to old-fashioned ideas.

I used this book when a child. I used my mother's copy and never was bored during the long hot summer days before air conditioning in the 1950's. The partner book, American Boy's Handybook is also fun. Wow, what resources for parents and kids (especially for home schoolers and scout leaders)!

I received this book for Christmas and it is one of my favorite books. It has crafts and activities ranging from preserving flowers in wax to turning an old straw hat into a drawstring bag. Along with fun crafts and games, and even interior decorating, this book shows one how life was like back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This book is over 100 years old, and the activities are still really fun and easy to do! I recommend this book to any girl, young or old!

For mothers who are not ashamed to have their young girls grow up knowing "feminine" arts, this book is a gem! There are some complicated projects (hammock making) which most of us would not have time or inclination to do, but others (corn husk dolls, botanic art, flower pressing, and home-made candy recipes) which any mother could help even very young daughters accomplish. In addition to the projects resource that it is, the book is a homey, nostalgic history of the things which used to occupy the time of young women preparing for homekeeping.

My mother bought both for me as a child. I spent days going through the American Boys Handy Book but the girls version bored me to death. I was excited to learn of the amazing things boys got to do in older times but what girls were doing sounded a great deal like chores. The best bit with the American Boys Handy book is you get history and crafts together. There are many things you can still build, at least if you don't live in too urban an environment. If you do live in the city or want more female crafts than trapping, fishing and animal training, get a more modern craft book for your children. The American Girls doll company likely still makes interesting period crafts if you'd like to go the historical route. They did when my nieces were young.

"A Daring Book For Girls" 1800's style. This very amusing glimpse of a bye-gone era is full of activities,some hopelessly dated (although the "Tableaux"(posing like a portrait) one might be fun to try. The book encourages exercise(with hand weights,no less!) long walks and exploring nature. There's a very good section on using watercolors (as well as oils)and drawing full of advice that is timeless. Finally,there are the more traditional "Feminine" activities such as flower pressing,sewing and decorating. Holidays are especially emphasized both religious and secular,and"quiet" word games for hot summer nights (or nowadays for when the Ipod runs out of batteries on long car trips or when camping out.) In conculsion,there's a lot in this book,that while not politically correct at times can is still worth checking out..

This book would be a great find for anyone wanting to either look back into the time of their grand parents or looking for ways to bring back enjoyment removed from the hustle of today's high tech society.

The book is laid out by the seasons, making it easy to find ideas and projects desired. It also covers many of the major holidays of the year, the origins and history and what a young lady can do to have parties, decorate with hand made items, and entertain her friends for any occasion.

Also provided are lessons on how to express herself in various art mediums such as painting, casting, scrap-booking and one of the most unusual lessons that surprised me, heraldry.

The ideas and projects found within can and I believe should be used by parents as an excellent way to spent time with their daughters and ways to keep their children active through out the year. One chapter even provides instruction for a home gymnasium to keep fit. For adults wanting to provide gifts and special items for their daughters can learn to make many things such as corn husk and flower dolls that have brought delight and hours of enjoyment since their first creation by the hands of the American Indians.

Overall I think this is a must have book for the education of any girl that will benefit her for the rest of her life.

This book and it's companion, The American Boys Handy Book should grace the bookshelves of every home with children and a spare copy on hand for it will be worn out from much use.

I am a 25 year old writing this review and I must say I really like this book it was fun an I have used the ideas here by myself with my daughters and son (toddlers). An have done things with my necies. It Fun Fun Fun take yourself our young women out from the tv , computer etc and try these fun old classic ideas. Make yourself an or a youngwomen learn how to be handy because we can do things on our own with out a mans help belive it .

I purchased this book as a gift for an elderly female, thinking it would provide some chuckles and good memories. Even though the content was from the late 1800s, she definitely recalled some of the activities as being from her own childhood. It's a fun read, but also offers a telling glimpse into the life of little girls of that time period (yes, complete with what we now call sexism). If you're a fan of the late 1800s, or period amusements; or would like to compare the very-different suggestions for girls with the suggestions for boys (from "The American Boys Handy Book"); or simply are curious about this "simpler time," you should enjoy this "Handy Book".