The Cute Book (Hardcover)

by Aranzi Aronzo (Author), Anne Ishii (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School—This quirky little craft book has a "Hello Kitty" feel; it's a how-to manual for creating small felt mascots that induce smiles but apparently have no serious purpose. There is an illustrated table of contents, and the book includes patterns and instructions for making 19 different creatures. There are also instructions for making a kidnapper, a bad guy, a liar, and an alien. Narrators White Rabbit and Brown Bunny, two of the felt mascots, assure readers that "you can do this…it's fun and easy." The book assumes no knowledge of or previous experience with handicrafts and opens with an illustrated spread listing basic supplies and explaining techniques. Each pattern is introduced with an amusing thumbnail biography of the mascot, and encouraging words to readers. The tone is light and goofy, but the instructions are clear, with numbered diagrams and photographs of finished work. The book concludes with appliqué techniques and photographs of suggested uses for and misuses of the mascots (e.g., use as a bookmark is not recommended as it looks painful). This book will appeal to young teens interested in crafting and could also be used in a library craft program.—Sondra VanderPloeg, Tracy Memorial Library, New London, NH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
“I therefore give The Cute Book my highest recommendation: It’s a craft book that really works. Unlike, say, Martha Stewart, the Aranzi Aronzo people have come up with patterns that look good even when ordinary people make them.” - Manga Blog

“Most of the patterns fall in the “Oh, how cute” category, but there are several with guy appeal.
Get this book! Kids, teens, and adults will all want to borrow it.”- The yayayas

“It seems like a bit of a bold move to call something ‘The Cute Book’ because you better be sure you can deliver. Luckily Aranzi Aronzo is in the business of delivering on cute.” - http://www.Thimble.ca

“Whether you’ve dedicated an entire room in your house to “crafting” or break out in hives at the mere mention of gimp, it’s hard to deny the weirdly winsome appeal of Aranzi Aronzo’s DIY books”.- Popcultureshock

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 47 pages
• Publisher: Vertical (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932234683
• ISBN-13: 978-1932234688
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,783 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #23 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Stuffed Animals
  #42 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Crafts for Children
  #97 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical and fun, August 16, 2007

By	E. M. Tennessen (The Windy City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book for the tiny felt projects, then found that the text is also very "kawaii" and fun. I took the book with me on a car ride with my family, read the text out loud, and we laughed ourselves senseless over the stories. The strangely weird names and tiny stories about each of the characters does add considerably to the charm of this book. For example, there is a "kidnapper" doll and an alien doll amidst the familiar bunny, teddy and kitty. I personally do not see making a kidnapper in the near future, but if I ever need one, say, to kidnap a tiny teddy, I have the pattern to make one. The projects are very simple and need few materials and sewing expertise. If you've crafted with felt before, you'll have no problem getting started with these projects. The layout and presentation of this small volume are appealing, detailed and colorful. This is my first Aronzo book and I look forward to seeing more. Also, if you are easily amused by strange cute stuff but are not a crafter, you will want this book.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love It!, April 14, 2007

By	Michael Ewing "EtherealZaftig" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is simply the easiest (& cutest) little craft book out. When my daughter is old enough, I plan on using this book to break her into the wide world of hand sewing. The layout is excellent & the instructions could not possibly be any clearer. If you like making simply little animals & don't want it to take all day? This is book for you. It also contains excellent ideas on what to do with the little creatures once you've made them.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Japanese Cuteness!, June 15, 2007

By	It's Just Me (IL USA) - See all my reviews

I saw this book in the bookstore, and I couldn't resist buying it. The book show directions for making a different little character on every two pages. Each set of directions contains pattern pieces that can be used as are, or can be enlarged or shrunk. The sewing instructions are super clear, and all stitches are shown at the beginning of the book.

The directions are so simple that a child as young as seven or eight could make these with a bit of help. For the older person, there are instruction on how to make a larger stuffed animal by doubling some pattern pieces and enlarging the pattern. There are also applique instructions for putting these little animals on bags, clothing, etc. Finally, instructions also explain how to make keychains, bookmarks, and ponyail holders.

Pictures are great, too. The photographs depict their stuffed animals creating the little mascots, and the line drawings are clear.

The part I like best about this book, as with most Japanese books I have seen, is the translation. It makes me laugh. Here's a great quote: "Everyone will say, 'how cute!' (we promise) People will be jealous and might even resent you. Be careful... Nice felt mascots. Crazy felt mascots. Bravo! Felt mascots!" Can't go wrong with something like that. :-)