The simple and beautiful art of woodcarving is adapted for children of all ages in this introduction to coaxing shapes and figures from solid blocks of wood. Requiring only a few tools and some inspiration, the projects in this collection are perfectly suited to building the skills it takes to work with wood. Safety and adult supervision are emphasized, but children will be able to complete the age-appropriate designs all by themselves. The graded projects range from carving a name stamp—for the youngest woodworkers—to carving a face—for teenaged craftspeople. The book also touches on computer-aided pattern-making, teaching children who face learning challenges, and methods for instructing kids of each age group—from elementary through high school. With its quick results and cumulative skill-building, learning to carve fosters hand-eye coordination and confidence as young carvers turn out unique handicrafts.
Robin Edward Trudel is author of "Carving for Kids: An Introduction to Woodcarving" which has been recently translated into German as "Schnitzen für Kinder". Robin is also the author of "Easy Carving Projects for Kids"
Robin got his start in woodcarving when a co-worker gave him a carving knife and encouraged him to carve a mushroom. Shortly after completing his first piece, he discovered and joined the New England Wood Carvers (www.newc.org). His boundless enthusiasm soon found him volunteering for the organization and eventually serving as president for three years.
Robin has been a contributing author to Carving Magazine (www.carvingmagazine.com), the premier magazine for woodcarvers since it's inception. Invited to write an article on introducing carving to children, the result caught the eye of Linden publishing who has helped Robin to develop two books on woodcarving specifically for children.
Robin's Pine Tree Studios is on a hill covered with Pine and Hickory trees in Massachusetts, about a half mile from the New Hampshire border.
As the name suggests most of the his sculpture is created from Eastern White Pine as he has always enjoyed carving pine because of the aroma of the wood. There is something about the smell of the pine pitch that feels distinctly "New England".
The lumbermill is only a few minutes away from the studio. Walking among the tree trunks and fresh sawn lumber provides the inspiration for his work.
For more information on Robin and his work see his woodcarving blog http://pinetreestudios.livejournal.com
