Dolls Kids Can Make [Paperback]

Sheila McGraw (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

A doll is an alter ego, a collectable, a loveable huggable best friend who always listens. Nothing makes a doll more special than being handmade. Now kids can make dolls for themselves, their friends, for bazaars or as gifts. This book shows how to make eleven very different dolls from a very simple, one hour crib toy to a weekend project, with simple step-by-step instructions, each accompanied by a full color photo.

• Make cuddly tiny dolls, ornaments a lace doll filled with potpourri, a granny mop doll, an up-to-date Cool Dude rag doll, a life-size baby dall, even an amazing double doll. Turn it one way and she's Little Red Riding Hood. Turn it the other way and he's the Big Bad Wolf.
• Easy-to-get, inexpensive, up-to-date materials -- a pair of stretchy gloves, a cotton sock, a facecloth, panti-hose and a mop head -- are cleverly designed to eliminate most sewing.
• For the sewing beginner, this is a fun, rewarding way to learn.
• More than 200 color photos!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-The projects in the book range from angels made of paper ribbon resembling cornhusks to a double-headed Little Red Riding Hood/Big Bad Wolf story doll. They will be adored by a wide age range of youngsters, but cannot be created by just any kid. In order to look like the attractive finished products, they require substantial skills in sewing, reading, organizing, and planning. A sewing machine figures prominently in many cases, as does a glue gun and a hot iron. An adult/child team will either bond deeply during construction or give up in despair. Directions are clear for experienced adult crafters, who will also be able to make effective use of the beautiful full-color photos.
Carole B. Kirkpatrick, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Upper-elementary-and middle-graders who have good sewing skills will enjoy trying their hand at making dolls from McGraw's fetching assortment. Although there are diagrams and plenty of good color photos to guide the way, as well as a glossary explaining stitches and techniques, younger children may need adult help with the sewing and to clarify the instructions, which are clearly presented but occasionally complicated. Material and tool requirements appear in handy boxes preceding the step-by-step directions, and McGraw includes a time estimate for each project. Most of the dolls are handmade out of washrags, gloves, and a variety of soft fabrics. Special sections on making hair and eyes (McGraw is careful to caution about eyes on dolls intended for babies) appear at the beginning of the book, and full-size patterns for tracing are scattered throughout. Stephanie Zvirin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189556574X
• ISBN-13: 978-1895565744
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,956,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

WHERE THE LOST THINGS GO: If you like Love You Forever and I Promise I'll Find You, you'll LOVE my latest book, Where The Lost Things Go. This moving, loving book is a collaboration between a talented writer, Barbara Farnsworth and myself, to make her quirky, sweet, loveable, and reassuring story of a child who loses things and believes they'll be waiting for him a long, long, long long time from now, in heaven, come to life. Barbara Farnsworth first contacted me a year ago when her manuscript landed in my email inbox, and upon reading it, I was immediately intrigued. Her story gives a child reassurance that while something is lost, ALL is not lost. The book was also a rich canvas for an illustrator, moving as it did from indoors to outdoors, through the seasons, and filled with plenty of action.

Do you have a children's book manuscript you'd like me to view? Please visit my website at www.SheilaMcGraw.com

The mystery novel "STILL LIFE WITH CAT AND MOUSE" THE FIRST SYLVIA DRAKE NOVEL has been temporarily suspended. Soon a funnier, juicier edition will be available!

As the child of a creative couple, Sheila McGraw recalls a childhood infused with the smells of oil paint mixed with baking bread from her painter mother and cigarette smoke and freshly cut wood from her hobbyist-carpenter father. Their inspiration shaped her and she recalls spending endless hours drawing, painting and sewing, including a first attempt at embroidery at age 5 when her piece ended up inadvertently stitched to the table cloth.
McGraw began her career as an illustrator and copywriter for advertising agencies, retail fashion outlets and editorial publications. In 1986 she was approached by Firefly Books to illustrate "Love You Forever" written by Robert Munsch. As that book achieved success she began writing, illustrating, designing and photographing a string of highly successful children's and adult craft books which encompass some of her earliest influences of sewing and sculpting, painting and drawing. She also illustrated and/or wrote several bestselling children's picture books. "Love You Forever" went on to become a children's classic with more than 20 million in print and number one on the New York Times Bestseller list. McGraw's "Papier Mache for Kids" was awarded the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award. Her artwork is widely exhibited and represented by the Loch Galleries in Canada.
Sheila McGraw lived in Toronto until 2006 when she married the criminal defense lawyer Lee McMillian and moved to his hometown of Houston Texas. She is the mother of 3 grown sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids!!!!!!!, October 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dolls Kids Can Make (Paperback)

Bought this book for my 12 and 10 yrs old kids and Now I want to keep it myself. Many different doll projects that are easy to make and all materials can be found at home. directions are easy to follow and many dolls can be made without the aid of mom

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great dolls that are easy to make!, February 7, 2003

By 

Deanne Kelley (Bridgewater, Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dolls Kids Can Make (Library Binding)

I bought this book for my 7 year old daughter so we could get some easy doll projects that we can make together. I am horrible at sewing and I am not "crafty" so this book is just my speed. It is written in simple language and has pictures to follow each step of the pattern easily.

My daughter and I are going to make "Little Guy" first. He only takes an hour to do and it is so simple using a pair of stretchy one-size-fits-all gloves, thread, glue and hair for its head. So simple. I can't wait to get started. It lists all the necesary items and optional choices to personalize your doll.

Patterns range from easy to more detailed sewing with a machine, but are simple enough for a child (around 8 and up) to do supervised by an adult.

A great craft book worthy of 5 stars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Easy!, May 3, 2009

By 

Deb White - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dolls Kids Can Make (Paperback)

I wanted to obtain dolls easy to make so that when the grandkids visit we would have something new to do at home. I'm very pleased with the clear and easy instructions, the pictures, and the variety of projects. Yes, we will be making dolls next visit.