Making Cool Crafts & Awesome Art!: A Kid's Treasure Trove of Fabulous Fun (Williamson Kids Can Books) [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Roberta Gould (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Williamson Kids Can Books

Over 100 art, craft, cooking, ethnic, singing, and building experiences that use inexpensive, around-the-home materials.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5?With an emphasis on natural, recyclable, and easy-to-find materials and an easy-to-follow, child-friendly format, this title is a welcome addition to craft collections. The table of contents and index provide easy access to projects such as wreaths, corn-husk dolls, apple faces; knots and weaves; crafts from other cultures such as dream catchers, pysansky eggs, and pi?atas; and masks and costumes. Individual activities include concise histories and anecdotes highlighting their origin. Most are presented on double-page spreads with some spilling over to a third. The instructions are clear and the author uses a "you-can-do-it" writing style. Numerous black-and-white photographs of real kids immersed in projects as well as some explanatory line drawings provide more than ample visual description to assist readers. Each activity indicates the level of difficulty and the approximate time required for completion and includes a list of necessary ingredients.?Amelia Kalin, Valley Cottage Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Wow! What a resource! This is a dream book for a craft or art teacher, a parent, a club leader or a handful of kids looking for a spark to ignite their creative energy. In over 150 pages of ideas, instruction and pictures, kids can create masks, sculptures, baskets, costumes-even robots. If one project doesn't "click," there are dozens of others to try. The author helps at the outset by listing items around the house to collect for the projects. She also lists a small number of items that may need to be purchased-nothing expensive or out of the ordinary.Geared for kids ages 6-14, projects are labeled by various levels of challenge, but the author is quick to point out that a more difficult rating shouldn't keep anyone from trying it. Motivated and patient kids can do just fine on their own with these projects, but a little help from an adult can add some inspiration and know-how.These projects are fun, do-able, artistic adventures. Planning a party? How about getting some kids to make phony apple pie (p. 38), some apple faces (p. 40) or some "wormy" apples (with cleverly concealed hot fudge inside). Have fun! -- From Independent Publisher

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Williamson Publishing Company (VT); illustrated edition edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885593112
• ISBN-13: 978-1885593115
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,152,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is really fun!, March 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Making Cool Crafts & Awesome Art!: A Kid's Treasure Trove of Fabulous Fun (Williamson Kids Can Books) (Paperback)

This book has what a lot of children's craft books don't have--and that is, it's experience-based. Real kids are making these projects--not adults. The results that are shown are what happens when kids make things--not adults or experienced artists. The photographs show the kids actually doing the steps, so you can see their looks of concentration or delight. This book is also unique because it teaches more than how to make something. Most of the projects are based in specific ethnic groups' crafts so the author has presented information about the origins or the cultural significance of the project--presented in a "gee whiz" sort of way that kids can relate to. Often there's a song included, rounding out the experience. Another thing I like is that the projects are worth doing and worth having when you're done. Real moccasins you can actually wear, for example. Or things you can eat --there are some great recipes. And almost all of them have the all important giggle-factor that makes them so much fun for kids. As a grownup, I intend to use this book for myself--I want to try the cowboy braided belt and the moccasins and the sugar diorama eggs. It also makes a great donation to a school's art program or after-school program because the steps are so easy to follow, and the materials are so readily available (she urges recycling). Seems to fit a lot of age groups (including the baby boomer...)