Customer Reviews

The Simple Screamer: A Guide to the Art of Papier and Cloth Mache

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before I ordered "The Simple Screamer", I thought this book was going to be flimsy magazine-paper type book. But, I was mistaken (for the better), this book's paper cover, is of a very hard-wearing variety and the pages are of good paper and the photographs very clear. I should also note that the directional photographs are black-&-white, but that does not hinder the information provided through them and no problems should arise because of this.

The directions Dan Reeder provides are easily understood and at times quite funny (there are all sorts of little things that he manages to include that tweak my funny bone, just look at the "items needed" page at the front of each chapter. I also particularly enjoyed looking at his own creations, in full color at the back of the book, they are full of creativity and have inspired many "screamers" from me.

Although there are an infinite types of screamers you could make following the directions in this book, I would also recommend getting the sequel, "Make Something Ugly, For a Change" that book will teach you a lot more techniques for making Screamers, although purchasing it is not necessary (but I highly recommend it all the same!)

Making Screamers is lots of fun, but I probably should lend a few cautionary notices. Some stages can be quite tough, especially the ones with clothes hangers, so completing a Screamer may take a couple days for there are many steps, some of them very hard. Also, I would recommend very strong masking tape for making Screamers, along with an abundance of patience. I have also found that making Screamers with your friends is much more fun than doing it in solitude. There are many more laughs, more patience, and a much more light-hearted attitude (although the downside to group Screamer-making is some unaccountable urge from all to make lame "pun" jokes, so beware).

BOTTOM LINE: Buy this book! Make a Screamer!

I am 36 years old and I came across this book when I was in college. I grabbed it up and immediately started in creating my own screamers, using the wonderful photos in the book for inspiration. In no time my apartment was crawling with weird creatures from my imagination. Soon I had too many and had to give them away to friends...they are totally unique gifts. The author of the book provides everything you need: complete supply lists, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions with photos, color images of finished screamers to help jump-start your own creativity, plus there is the added bonus of the writer's tounge-in-cheek writing. Making screamers would be fun for anyone at any age. Buy this book and let out you inner monster!

When I first saw a copy of this book back in '85, I thought it was a really great idea, but I never had time to actually build one. The thought was tucked away in the depths of my memory, however, awaiting the opportunity to be explored and applied. Fast forward to 2000. I was in a puppet troupe for the city of Orlando, Florida, and was required to build sets and props for an original show set in ancient Egypt. A large statue of Bas-tet, the cat goddess, was needed and that old thought jumped to the front of my brain. A quick online session to Amazon.com and a couple of weeks later, I had a new copy of Dan Reeder's Simple Screamer aquiring drips of glue while I created the statue. Great project. Great book.

I am now a freshman in college and have been making screamers for four years now. This book is great for those people who are looking for projects that are out of the ordinary. It's a great book for all ages and really can't be construed as anything but fun.

I am a high school Art Teacher and my students are using this book to create sculptures from 2 to 6 feet tall. It has sparked imaginations and inspired students to create.Thank You Monsterman. This is no stuffy classical art book...it is strange, humorous, fun and perfect for high school kids.

I've never done paper mache before and I wanted to make a "Monster under the bed" for a Halloween prop. The book is very easy to understand and follow. It took less than two weeks to make the project and it came out much better than I could of ever imagined. I would highly recommend this book!!!

I am a high school art teacher in St. Louis, from time to time I get a student who wants to do an independent project in 3-D. The simple screamer takes about one semester to complete. The directions are easy to follow and perfectly sequenced. The results are always superb. I highly recommend this book

I am currently a freshman in college, but I was introduced to screamers through my 5th grade teacher. I've been making them ever since. The better you get at making them, the more variations you can do. The fun never ends. Buy this book now, and you won't regret it. If you are an art teacher or a 5th or 6th grade teacher, I wouldn't pass up this chance.

I am a Middle School art teacher. We used the techniques in this book for an 8th grade art class every semester! This past semester, we built a room size sculpture installation using the cloth mache technique to create aliens. The aliens were having a dinner party! What a great reference book for the project! Anyone can use the instructions Dan Reeder provides to create a wonderful creature!

I love this book! I especially appreciate the photos included with the projects in all different stages. I will use this book again and again.