Reviews (2)

Beautiful pictures surround a solid lesson
I purchased this book for my mother who is a quiltmaker and she now includes a copy with every quilt she gives away! This story is fabulous for both children and adults who always need to be reminded of the true gift of loving and sharing. I also recommend Quilts from the Quiltmaker's Gift! It gives simple instructions on how to make many of the quilts displayed throughout the story!

Glorious Book with a Fabulous Message
This is one of the best books I have found for kids in years. We bought it at a book fair last year and have since recommended it to everyone we know. The illustrations are glorious, with tremendous detail and color, they really capture the reader. Then the story line reminds you of the fairy tales of old, with wonderful characters and whimsical animals. The icing on the cake is that the story teaches kids about the power of giving, how it feels wonderful to give instead of always receiving. If you are looking for a great gift, this one certainly delivers! I am giving it to my Aunts and my Mother-in-Law so they can read it to all the children in their lives! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Exciting projects for preschoolers!
This book provided hours of fun for my four-year-old. We were pleased that we always had simple household items and paper to complete the projects.This book can be used as ajumping off point to many other creative projects.

Paper, glue, and scissors
All that is needed are these three items, and you can make the cutest crafts! Because of the easy supply list, we use this book so much more often than other books that you might not have the needed supplies on hand for. This one we keep right in the kitchen and the children can make things whenever they like! we just got it for Christmas and have already made lots of the projects! and there is room to be creative - just using the ideas as examples and taking it from there.

Teachers, get this art book!
For the last several years my summer school has included art every day for students whose ages range from 6-13. This book has an excellent selection of art projects that are appropriate for all these ages. Everything is made using construction paper, scissors and glue, which are readily available in the school supply room, are inexpensive and easy to work with. The projects turn out bright and colorful. My class has just completed a lively mural of a pond habitat after making fun frogs, fish, turtles and other aquatic creatures and plants, using ideas from the book.

I love the instructions and lay-out of the book. The steps and resulting project are clearly shown in large drawings with minimal text, so it just takes a few minutes to read through each project.

Some of the projects feature geometrical designs and patterns, which allow substantial room for creativity, some fold and curve paper to make them three dimensional. There is a good variety of themes including animals, seasons, nature, a still life, a robot, and a couple of cultural items. Although I haven't done it yet, the Panamanian mola looks like it will turn out stunning.

If I want to stick to using paper, glue and scissors for my art classes, this book will give us plenty of fun and attractive projects to do for several weeks. Parents will also find it a great source for young artists at home.

Fun with construction paper creations
Cut-Paper Play is an excellent collection of over 80 kid-approved construction paper creations for children ages 4 to 10. The projects are grouped by 3 different skill and difficulty levels. A variety of techniques is shown. All you need is different kinds of paper or cardboard, scissors, glue, sometimes yarn or a stapler. So the crafts are inexpensive, but very amazing. Two- and three-dimensional projects, mobiles and seasonal projects are shown. We got inspiration for many more paper projects for the future! ... Read more

Book Description

For generations, kids have been making paper airplanes that really fly when launched by hand. Now, model makers can refine their craft and boost the fun with this, the ultimate book of paper airplanes. Fascinating chapters touch on everything from night fighting tactics to paper airplane folding techniques. The book’s final chapter consists of detachable pages of heavy paper that show fold lines and insignia. Kidsfollow the clear folding instructions to create 20 different gliders that look like actual modern jet night fighters. Better yet, the planes are embellished with glow-in-the-dark inks to create truly authentic night fighter appearances. Each model comes with a thumbnail description of the actual plane it is modeled after, along with additional folding tips for increasing flight stability, adjusting flight trajectory, and modifying flight paths. A great-looking three-panel gatefold at the back of the book opens to present model builders with a miniature aircraft carrier and runway where they can test the accuracy of their landings. Here is the only paper airplane book on the market that uses glow-in-the-dark inks. What could be more appropriate for the Night Fighter? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Kathy Ross's Books Are Superb!
I have 2 children, ...and we sit down with Ms. Ross's books andthey pick out a project. The instructions are very easy to follow andmost of the supplies needed can be found around the home. They don'ttake much time to complete which helps to keep the kids attention. Wemade several decorations for gifts for the kids grandparents and theywere thrilled and the kids are so proud of their projects. I alreadyown 7 of her books and plan to get them all eventually. I highlyrecommend this and all her books. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great for Group Crafts
This is a great book to use for group crafts. I use it for my Sunday School class and my Brownie troop. The crafts are cute, easy and inexpensive. All of these crafts can actually be made by the child without adult help. I have the fall and winter books and they beat all my other kids crafts books hands down!

Hello Rainy Days!
Kathy Ross's creative books have my children turning off the television and asking to have craft-time. I enthusiastically agree to an afternoon of crafts with more fun ideas than ever before. Her projects fit in well with holidays, homeschool themes, or just a rainy afternoon, and are great for any parent whose creativity is running dry, or a child whose imagination needs channeling. We checked this book out from the library so many times that now we have decided to buy one of our own. Great ideas for all ages...even Mom!

One of the GREATEST craft books to try with your children.
This book was amazing, especially if you have children. Thisbook has crafts for Autumn, but I like to them any rainy day. It hasreally easy to follow instructions, pictures and tons of family fun. ... Read more

Book Description

With a little imagination, the answer is "plenty!" Armed with scissors, tape, and glue, it's easy to turn an ordinary paper bag into an extraordinary hat, wig, mask or crown. Simple step-by-step instructions show readers how to make a golden crown, a curly Baroque wig, Perseus's winged helmet, a pharaoh's headdress, George Washington's wig, a Japanese geisha hairdo, an African mask and sixteen other imaginative designs. An engaging activity book for both home and classroom, What Can You Do with a Paper Bag?, inspired by works of art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, will provide hours of educational and entertaining dress-up fun. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

What Can You Do With a Paper Bag?
This book, published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is a TERRIFIC book if you are interested in childrens' crafts and art. The book provides very detailed and easy-to-follow instructions on hat and mask making using your average grocery store variety paper bag (and a few other on-hand items). The hats and masks are all inspired by works of art found in the museum. Our elementary school are using these activities at our Spring Arts Festival. The results are dynamic and the costs for matierials is little to nothing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

4 Little 'Quick' Hands
This book had many GREAT ideas for various animals. It was easy enough that, my almost 2 year old, and I together did a very nice piece of art. If you like to finger play, it is worth the purchase! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's super-amazing, it's funk-da-crazing, it's boss. It's hipster chickauthors Super Clea and Keva Marie's handbook for the "ridiculously cool-coolgirl"--365 days' worth of silly and serious tips and things to make, do, andponder, illustrated with scrapbook-style doodles, bad copies of snapshots, andmany, many entertaining asides. Clea and Keva discuss and analyze everything,from the merits of sugar vs. fake sugar to badminton, from socks to stocks, fromthe Spice Girls to camouflage cowboy hats. They encourage readers to write theirown zines, make doggy donuts, and celebrate England's bank holidays by rentingBonnie and Clyde. Basically, these girls just wanna, just wanna have fun(see October 1, "Today you shall attempt to talk in song lyrics, all day"). Andany reader lucky enough to get her hands on this "road map to living a badasslife... directory of all things crafty... inspiring diary thing that stokes youout... punk rock Girl Scout guide" will most definitely have fun. This is adaybook for reading, not a journal for writing in, although it will probablyinspire anyone with an ounce of imagination to write her own daybook. (Ages 9and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Be a crafty girl!
Okay so you're bored. Now what? Check out Keva and Clea's book to get some ideas on turning oh-hums into a-has! These ultra-hip chicks used to run Foxy magazine, but now they're just having fun on their own. Read about George (their dog), guitar chords to learn and stickers to make. Their book, which really looks like a cool bound zine) gives you pointers of fun stuff to do every day of the year - from funky crafts to things to ponder. (...)

The Book Kept Disappearing...
by Molly Conway, 15
Teen Editor
....

I must admit it took me a lot longer than it should have to write this review. One of the main reasons is simple: the book kept disappearing. My friends enjoyed this book just as much as I did, and I heard, "Can I borrow it just for one day?" and "Oh, I'm sorry I forgot it!" more times than I would care to count. But the book's journey is certainly a tribute to just how fabulous it is. It went from Rebecca the super-vegan, to Ruchi the Hindu dance queen, to Andrew the master cartoonist, to Darryl the sports guru, to Lauren the punk princess. The book had the same effect on all sorts of people. No one can read it and not smile, or at least come out of it a little happier than before.

This is the daybook for Aquarians or for other time-impaired people. It gives you something fun to add to your daily agenda. The ideas range from deceptively simple, like pretending you're a Spice Girl; to crafty, like making a glitzy tampon case; to silly, like tying a yellow ribbon around an old oak tree. Even the title is cool! Hey Day! The Super-Amazing Funk-da-Crazing Ultra-Glazing Day Book: Things to Do, Make, and Ponder Every Day of the Year, by Super Clea and Keva Marie.

It certainly keeps its promise of being the craziest, weirdest, and most thoroughly enjoyable daybook you will ever encounter. It's a definite must for any crazy chick who's open to new ideas or for a not-so-crazy chick who wants to be a bit sillier. A great de-stresser for homework swamped friends and sisters, too.

Copyright 2002, Blue Jean Media, Inc.

Not So Great
I purchased this book after reading tons of great reviews. The book has some good ideas, but it was not what I expected at all. I think there are tons of other books out there that are worth spending your money on.

Fun but often time it is tacky
I love craft books. Even though I am in my 20s I often flock to teen friendly craft books. i find them so much better than adult books. Plus I feel age is just a number. I like to have fun!I saw a review of this book in YM and thought it looked cool. So a week later I picked it up. I read from front page to back.The books high points are the crafts and DIY advice. I even like that the mention veganisim (I am vegan) andhow to create a zine. The instructions are clear nough to follow and will inspire you.What I did not like about the book was the authors chit-chat. Their conversations are really tacky. Do you really think they talk like that? I hope not. I think the book would have been better without their chats and thought on each other.

The Book Kept Disappearing...
...the book kept disappearing. My friends enjoyed this book just as much as I did, and I heard, "Can I borrow it just for one day?" and "Oh, I'm sorry I forgot it!" more times than I would care to count. But the book's journey is certainly a tribute to just how fabulous it is. It went from Rebecca the super-vegan, to Ruchi the Hindu dance queen, to Andrew the master cartoonist, to Darryl the sports guru, to Lauren the punk princess. The book had the same effect on all sorts of people. No one can read it and not smile, or at least come out of it a little happier than before.

This is the daybook for Aquarians or for other time-impaired people. It gives you something fun to add to your daily agenda. The ideas range from deceptively simple, like pretending you're a Spice Girl; to crafty, like making a glitzy tampon case; to silly, like tying a yellow ribbon around an old oak tree. Even the title is cool! Hey Day! The Super-Amazing Funk-da-Crazing Ultra-Glazing Day Book: Things to Do, Make, and Ponder Every Day of the Year, by Super Clea and Keva Marie.

It certainly keeps its promise of being the craziest, weirdest, and most thoroughly enjoyable daybook you will ever encounter. It's a definite must for any crazy chick who's open to new ideas or for a not-so-crazy chick who wants to be a bit sillier. A great de-stresser for homework swamped friends and sisters, too. ... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Traditional Crafts for Modern Girls
Is your daughter wandering the aisles of the craft store with you, looking for her next weekend craft project? If your daughter is also a Josefina fan or is interested in New Mexico history, this is the book for her! There are fifteen crafts for a variety of abilities and interest levels, and all of them can turn into something a girl would be proud to have made. Crafts are divided into different sections: "Around the Rancho", "Spanish and Mexican Traditions", "Indian Traditions", "A Stitch in Time", and "Frontier Fun". The Straw Broom, Glass-Bead Necklace, clay Coil Pot, and Cornhusk dolls are quick crafts. Crafts like the Stamped Leather Bookmark require special tools. Making a Colcha embroidered Place Mat or a Hen Pincushion take some previously learned skills. But projects like making a Fringed Shawl or Sash could turn out well enough to show off to friends! Whichever craft you choose, the directions are well written and have a materials list and clear pictures for each step. The format and the pictures are so well done, that girls will eagerly want to browse through it to find their next craft project. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Saving Junk, I can do.
Environmental Art for Kids, the sub-title. I like that. But what does it mean? This book takes kids outdoors to collect "stuff" from nature, like leaves and pinecones, or indoors to collect "stuff" like envelopes and newspaper. Once collected, there are about 150 projects for open-ended things to make with them. I especially liked making a "leaf burst" with supple autumn leaves and paint. I tried it and it's beautiful, just like the book says. Easy too. I also like the page layout...one big idea per page, book stays open nicely, great icons to help with other decisions to be made like how difficult and so forth. And can you believe it gives recipes for making your own homemade paste, glue, yarn, and chalk? Even how to build a kiln outside and bake your own clay, dry your own flowers. This is a pretty nice book for parents or teachers, camps, or any one who likes kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Offering more than 100 activities for vacations spent near the water, in the mountains, at a cottage, or camping, this is the complete summer survival book. Filled with safety tips, ecological pointers, and wildlife features, this handbook can help transform an ordinary vacation into an unforgettable one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I had to buy it
I borrowed this book from the library. After reading the book I realized that this would be a book that we would use for many summers. It has several other ideas different from the "standard" books about what to do in the summer. I am a full time mom, in the summer the kids and I are eyeball to eyeball. I need new ideas all of the time. This book gave me new ideas.

A great book for bored kids on a hot summer day.
I found this book to be wonderful. I bought it for myself because it looked cool. There's so muh to do. Kids can do things by the water, in the mountains, at night, hiking or camping, when it's raining or even if your stuck in the house. It has more than 100 activities. It offers things such as how to build a fire, how to make a tree fort, what plants to stay away from, several different games for different times and places, and many many different things. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

CREATIVE MAGIC FOR ALL AGES
Absolutely one of the best how-to, interactive books I've ever had the pleasure of working through - and I'm not exactly artistically gifted. Carmen Lomas Garza has compiled a series of papel picado/cut-paper art projects with excellent instructions on folds and cuts, the elements of design, and the tools and materials needed to make successful papel picado banderitas/banners. Strong on helpful hints and technique, this book allows you to learn as you go through so that you can add real variety to any cut-paper project whether it be the simpliest or the most complex. My sister and I got together a small group - 3 adults & 2 youngsters - and totally enjoyed creating several papel picado projects. Hands down, The Fan, was the overwhelming favorite of our little group of novice banderita makers. Filled with 8 great scissor projects and several challenging X-acto knife picados, Making Magic Windows is creative, interactive fun for the whole family! Explore it for yourself. ... Read more

Book Description

Instructions for seven styles of bead rings, with limitless variations.All the wire and seed beads you need come packaged with the book in a daisy-shaped caddy, providing easy access while simultaneously preventing any calamitous bead spills. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fun fun fun!!!
...BR>This is an awesome book made by real people ... and by an awesome company! My cousin has this book and I have done three of the rings already. They are easy to do and the directions are well explained and not too complex.
The rings include: simple ring (you should learn to do this first), twisted ring, chain, vine, butterfly, starburst, and daisy chain. This book has plenty of beads so you can do your favorite rings over and over!
The only complaint I have is there's this stupid bead wheel (you've seen it on the front picture) and the colors get mixed up if you take it on a car trip, or when you're flipping through different colors.
Otherwise, this is a great book and I highly reccomend it for someone who is interested in making bead rings!

Irresistible
I tried not to buy this book for a long time. It seemed like I could figure it out myself, and I have a lot of craft books already. There is something so wonderful, however, about having crystal clear instructions and all the right supplies right in front of you. With this book, there's nothing to "figure out" (unless you want to vary the patterns). You can just relax and make some adorable jewelry. These are quick to make and look quite nice. This is another Klutz book that I'll take to the craft class I run with teens. My complaints about the book: the bead wheel doesn't work well--beads get stuck and shoved into other compartments or fall out the sides. The bead colors are mixed together in color families, which is a real pain when you're trying to get all one color. There is variety in colors, but not in beads. A flower bead or two (like the one in one of the book's pictures) would have been nice. Still, the patterns are pretty, quick, and do-able. The variety of representative designs (butterfly, flower) and pretty patterns (chain)is good. It's a fine little book.

a crazy klutz fan
this great book provides materials for doing all the rings.the instructions are clear and easy to follow and there are great designs of rings too , like a beautiful butterfly on the ring , a vine... this book is affordable and those who are interested in this, you can start on this book! It's gonna be fun!

Klutz books rule...
I must say, this is another awesome klutz book. The instructions are clear and well illustrated and easy to follow. The rings are nice, and range from very simple to quite complex. And of course, you can always make bracelets and neclaces as well, just use more wire.

The whole idea behind these books is just so well executed. The seem a little expensive, but they come with everything you need to get started, so really, they aren't. And it saves you that part where you buy the book and then run around spending all sorts of money to make sure that you have everything you need. Or worse, never making anything from the book because you can't be bothered to go out and get what you need. This book, or any of the other klutz books, make excellent gifts for the young or young-at-heart, just for this reason.

One word of warning with this one. I dropped it, and the bead container top popped off. It could have been nasty, this book comes with a lot of beads, and they're tiny! Luckily, only a few were spilled, and I transferred the beads to something a little more secure.

Buy this one and enjoy it. I also recommend hair wraps and hemp bracelets from the same series.

I loved it!
Hi! Ok well I just ordered this book again for a niece of mine. I have the book at home and I just love it the instructions are so easy to follow! I would recomend this to anyone who loves beautiful fashionable jewlery! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great supplemental activities!
This wonderful book is a great addition to your study of Pioneer days!All of the activities can be used to reinforce the daily life of the Pioneer families.There are activities and instructions for hand sewing a doll and her clothing; making useful, everyday things such as punched tin lanterns from tin cans and votive candles; or even molded candles.This is a great book for those hands on activities you need for history.It would even be good for studying the lives of children throughout history. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is one of the best books I've seen for drawing Aliens.
Drawing Alien Fantasies is a step-by-step guide for drawing aliens and their spaceships. It also teaches perspective by showing you how to draw various alien settings.

It shows you how to start with simple shapes and develop them into complicated drawings. I am eight years old and before I got this book I could barely draw at all. Using this book, I've gotten to do really cool drawings like the Deep Space Viper.

This book would be great for any kid who likes science fiction and wants to learn to draw. If I could, I'd give it more than five stars! ... Read more

Book Description

A complete kit for making a cool solar racecar.Everything is included: wheels, axles, motors, wires and a genuine one-volt solar cell.Build the car today, and it will run forever, thanks to that big battery in the sky. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great learning tool for kids!
Recent generations have done an impressive job of polluting the Earth. Our children's generation will have to be considerably more successful in using greener energy sources. An educational and fun book that teaches children about solar power is The Solar Car Book. This book contains a build-it-yourself solar car kit with parts and instructions needed to build a solar car!

My wife Lynn built this car with Liam, our 5-year-old son. Not only is the solar car fun to play with, but the experience was an educational one that offered Liam the opportunity to learn a little about alternative energy and the importance of protecting the Earth.--Glenn Perrett

Solar Car Works in Phoenix
During a sunny day in Phoenix, the solar car works great and stops when it goes under the shade. With less intense sun light, a little push may be helpful to over come the friction at the start.
What a nice way to introduce young children the clean solar energy!

Doesn't work as promised
The book is interesting, but the car doesn't work as promised. (It barely moves! and we even made sure to try it midday in full sun) ... Read more