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64 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A sweet book, but a little disappointing., November 14, 2008
This review is from: The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections (Paperback)
I thought this was a sweet book, and a pleasant read. Amanda Soule is a wonderful writer. I was a little disappointed that there were no new ideas presented here though. I felt like I was reading the same Waldorf family book I've read several times before. People say "everything has been done before", but I feel that authors can still incorporate new ideas or put their own twist on things. I did not see this here.
I was also disappointed with the craft projects. Aside from the fact that many were the same projects found all over the internet and in many other craft books, I found that most of them were projects geared towards adults with small touches added by children. I was expecting more projects actually for children, or where children played a much bigger role.
I think this would be a perfect book for someone who is new to Waldorf and Montessori philosophy and was looking for ways to incorporate these philosophies into their family life, or for someone who is looking for a simple, pleasant read paired with beautiful pictures. If you've been involved in simple family living for quite some time and are looking for something new, I would look elsewhere.
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110 of 121 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A really sweet book about celebrating your family, April 5, 2008
This review is from: The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections (Paperback)
"The Creative Family" is really, very simply, a sweet, gentle, and dear book on family traditions and togetherness.
Most of the ideas in this book were not new to me. In fact, much of it could be written about my actual family life. If you are familiar with the Waldorf tradition, and books such as "You are your child's first teacher", "The Children's Year" and "All Year Round", "Heaven on Earth", or some of the other little "Waldorfy" craft books out there, then many of the ideas in "The Creative Family" will not be new to you, either.
But I don't think that "being new" is the most important thing about this book. I think that it is really fantastic that Amanda Soule has taken many of these tried-and-true (perhaps less well-known/mainstream) ideas about parenting, family life, and creativity, and blended them together into one simple, easy to read, compact and easy to reach for, updated resource.
The photography is really beautiful, and the projects are all simple enough to be done by a pre-schooler (some with more help than others).
This is more than a project book, however (in fact, I would not even describe it as being a project book). It is more about a way of life -- taking a step back, learning that a "no" really can be a "yes," and so on. Her thoughts about toys were excellent -- again, exactly what our family has already practiced since our first child was quite small -- but, in observing so many of my friends with young children, ideas that would help many an overwhelmed family learn to say "no" to too much stuff.
I was most inspired by her tips on art supplies -- a good comprehensive list of supplies, along with tips on their storage. It's one thing that I don't think we had a good system for before, and I will definitely be incorporating some of her ideas into our life.
This book is a gem. It's small and simple. It suggests simple steps that any family can take to make their lives more family-centered and joyful.
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65 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For your child... and your inner child, April 23, 2008
This review is from: The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections (Paperback)
You may think this is an arts and crafts book. But really, it's a parenting guide. Though it's filled with things you can do with your children, it also brings out the kid in you, and in the process helps you become a better mom or dad. The activities involve getting dirty with your kids, going outside and finding things like cool leaves and bugs, or drawing with crayons. Most are best suited for families with preschool- through elementary-aged kids.
The book is divided into four sections, each with three chapters:
Part One: Gathering
1. Preparing Your Creative Mind
2. Gathering Materials
3. Being Resourceful
Part Two: Playing
4. Encouraging Imagination
5. Supporting Your Young Artist
6. Sharing the Tradition of Handmade
Part Three: Living
7. Exploring Through Nature
8. Capturing Moments
9. Everyday Rituals
Part Four: Connecting
10. Celebrating Your Family
11. Handmade Holidays
12. Creative Connections
At the end of the book, a six-page resource guide lists other books and websites on the same topics.
Even though my daughter is 14, we both found this book worthwhile. For example, we set up a Nature Table. Before, all the tiny miracles we brought home in our pockets ended up in the trash. Now we have a spot. At the moment it has a handful of seashells, three skate egg cases, some hot pink sea whips, an orange sponge and a sparkly rock she snared last week on a trip with her dad out to the Grand Canyon.
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