From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8. An uneven collection of early American craft ideas. Directions for making each item are presented on two-page spreads; brief summaries explain how early settlers might have used these processes and objects. Spatter painting, moulded candles, rug braiding, silhouette painting, and punched-tin lanterns are all clearly explained. The illustrations are helpful, and well-done; however, the basket-weaving project includes no picture of the final product. The creation of a simple loom and weaving activity seems overly ambitious when compared with the other crafts. General instructions for carving with a knife, a procedure necessary for several of the activities, comes with safety tips but no suggestion for obtaining parental permission except to ask an adult to sharpen the blade. Supplies used in some projects are not the type normally found around the house (e.g., Plasticine, skewers, embroidery floss, etc.). Add to collections only where a large selection of pioneer crafts books is needed.?Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Adults or children who have an interest in folk art or pioneer crafting will want this book, which lives up to the promise of its title beautifully in a gentle, thoughtful, ungimmicky manner. Author Barbara Greenwood has done her homework, researching pioneer crafts that are authentic, yet timely enough that today’s kids will want to make them. Clear, concise, easy-to-follow text gives just enough information and cautions where necessary. This book is a real pleasure.
Classes studying pioneers are the obvious audience, but scout leaders and others looking for craft ideas will find this a useful offering.
Can you imagine not having a corner store to go to for milk, bread, clothing, tools, or anything else you need? The people of an earlier America had to use their ingenuity to make everything they used, wore, or played with. Making a cloth rag doll from scraps of fabric, soap carving, whittling branches into toys, and quilting are just a few of the ideas included in Pioneer Crafts.