BIG CRAFT BOOKS...

THE COLOSSAL BOOK OF CRAFTS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES
by Phyllis Fiarotta and Noel Fiarotta
Black Dog & Leventhal
ISBN: 1884822576
                      All Ages
                      544 pages

Over half a million copies of Phyllis Fiarotta's two books, STICKS AND STONES AND ICE CREAM CONES and SNIPS AND SNAILS AND WALNUT WHALES were originally sold with grown-up readers in mind. This new volume, featuring 247 projects, including many of those from her earlier titles, simplifies the instructions so that even you can put them to work. Includes 400 illustrations.

CRAFT FUN
by Kim Solga, Editors of North Light Books, Priscilla Hershberger
North Light Books
ISBN: 0891348344
Ages 5-up
                      216 pages

You will flip for the 92 easy-to-do activities in this bold-looking book. A knockout for both families and classroom, it contains more than 600 color illustrations.

DISNEY'S FAMILY FUN CRAFTS: 500 Creative Activities
by Deanna F. Cook
Hyperion
ISBN: 0786863048
All Ages
                      256 pages

More than 500 activities fill this big, bright volume inspired by FamilyFun magazine. Sections on kitchen magic, nature crafts, homemade toys and paper fun are featured, many of which make use of materials you keep around the house. Suggestions from real people who have actually performed the crafts make this book special.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS INCREDIBLY AWESOME CRAFTS FOR KIDS
by Sara Jane Treinen
Meredith Books
ISBN: 0696019841
                      Ages 9-12
                      168 pages

More than 100 creative and thought-provoking projects including masks, sculpting, T-shirt art, finger puppets, dolls and bedroom design, are just part of what make this book from the publisher of Better Homes and Gardens and Crayola Kids magazines a great addition to any craft lover's library. Step-by-step instructions and sharp photographs make follow-through easy and fun.

NATURE AND SCIENCE...

GARDEN CRAFTS FOR KIDS: 50 Great Reasons to Get Your Hands Dirty
by Diane Rhoades
Lark Books
ISBN: 0806909986
Ages 4-8
                      144 pages

Don't have a green thumb? Don't worry! These easy gardening projects are easy for a wide variety of ages and skills. Growing potatoes, making unusual bird houses, and composting are a few of the activities that make this book distinctive. Science fun facts about plants and ecology are also included.

365 NATURE CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES
by Karen E. Bledsoe & Candyce Norvell
illustrated by Terri and Joe Chicko
Publications International
ISBN: 0785323147
Ages 8-12
240 pages

Exploring nature has never been more fun, or more easy, thanks to this remarkable collection of crafts and activities. Tips and instructions on everything from gifts to games are included and each project offers an explanation on what makes our environment work.

ECOLOGY CRAFTS FOR KIDS: 50 Great Ways to Make Friends With Planet Earth
by Bobbe Needham
Sterling Publications
ISBN: 0806906855
Ages 9-12
                      144 pages

Reuse and recycle take on a fun new meaning in this snazzy craft book. All you need is some of the materials found in your household garbage. Newspaper is converted into papier-mache. Light bulbs become puppets. An entertaining lesson in art and environmental awareness.

CRAFTS FOR KIDS WHO ARE WILD ABOUT OCEANS
by Kathy Ross
illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm
                      Millbrook Press
                      ISBN: 0761303316
                      Ages 9-12
                      48 pages

This is one of the best and easiest-to-use craft books around. The author spells out exactly what you will need to complete their individual ocean-theme projects. Next, she gives simple, brief instructions that you will have no trouble following. Oceanic "factoids" on each spread make this educational, but FUN!

CRAFTS FOR KIDS WHO ARE WILD ABOUT REPTILES
by Kathy Ross
illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm
                      Millbrook Press
                      ISBN: 0761303324
                      Ages 9-12
                      48 pages

As in each of the WILD ABOUT books, the author spells out a list of what materials will be needed for each craft, then carefully explains just how to bring the projects to life. And educational factoids on each spread add a little science to the fun. Don't miss the Licking Gecko, or the simple but fun Gila Monster Finger Puppet.

CRAFTS FOR KIDS WHO ARE WILD ABOUT THE WILD
by Kathy Ross
illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm
                      Millbrook Press
                      ISBN: 0761304401
                      Ages 9-12
                      172 pages

Ross provides instructions for over 75 craft projects all about polar bears and dinosaurs, and creatures of jungle, sand and sea.

BEADING...

BEADING : Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces and More
by Judy Ann Sadler
illustrated by Tracy Walker
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1550743384
                      Ages 9-12
                      40 pages

One of the latest in the "Kids Can Crafts" series, this book is a fine introduction to the craft of beading. Though some of the projects may be a bit challenging --- which means you should grab a grownup to help if you get stuck --- the end results should be worth it!

NDEBELE BEADWORK: African Artistry
by Ann Stalcup
Powerkids Press
ISBN: 082395336X
24 pages

Beadwork is not just a hobby for inhabitants of Ndebele; it is an important cultural tradition. Learn about its importance, and create a doll from instructions inspired by Ndebele doll-making.

ORIGAMI...

MONSTER ORIGAMI
by Judy Ann Sadler
DK Publishing
ISBN: 0789443139
Ages 4-8

Complete with paper to use for your creations, MONSTER ORIGAMI will help you amaze your friends with your paper-folding prowess. Who knew origami could be scary?

POKEMON ORIGAMI
by Ryoko Nishida and Minami Aoyama
Viz Communications
ISBN: 1569313911
Ages 8 & up
80 pages

Are you a kid who's "gotta catch 'em all?" Now you can make your own collection of 3-D Pokemon characters, using the paper-folding art of origami. This book contains easy-to-follow directions and preprinted paper --- everything you need to get started.

JAPANESE ORIGAMI: Paper Magic
by Ann Stalcup
Powerkids Press
ISBN: 0823953335
Ages 8 & up
80 pages

Learn not just how to make your own origami figures, but the significance behind the delicate paper creations.

MAKING PAPER GLIDERS...

FABULOUS PAPER GLIDERS
by Norman Schmidt
Sterling Publications
ISBN: 1895569214

For those interested in sophisticated paper airplanes, Schmidt's book provides a great guide. Complete with patterns for sixteen gliders, the book itself never gets cut up, as do other, less effective, guides: just photocopy the patterns and follow the clear instructions. Also included are photos of completed models and a history of aircraft from motorless planes in the 19th century to the wonderful machines of the present day.

OTHER INDOOR CRAFTS...

BUTTON CRAFTS
by Margaret Holtschlag, Carol Trojanowski and Lynne Woodcock Cravath
Random House
ISBN: 067988646X
                      Ages 4-8
                      24 pages

Button, button, who's got the button? If YOU'VE got some buttons around the house, you're all set to start making some cool crafts with them. Button flowers and button bugs are just two of the nifty --- and simple --- ideas here.

PAPIER-MÂCHÉ (Kids Can Do It)
by Renee Schwarz
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1550747274
Ages 8-12
40 pages

Got newspaper? Then you're ready to start crafting things out of papier-mache. This book tells you how to turn newspaper and other materials you can find around the house into nifty art projects like a piggy bank, a pencil holder or bookends.

RAIN OR SHINE ACTIVITY BOOK: Fun Things to Make and Do
by Joanna Cole & Stephanie Calmenson
illustrated by Alan Tiegreen
Beech Tree
                      ISBN: 0688121330
                      Ages 7-12
                      192 pages

In this snappy volume, you'll find dozens of activities you can tackle, rain or shine, in the house or on the road. Sure to make "There's nothing to do!" a phrase bound for extinction.

PIONEER CRAFTS
by Barbara Greenwood
illustrated by Heather Collins
Kids Can Crafts
ISBN: 1550743597
Ages 9-12
                      40 pages

Pioneer children, kids whose parents blazed trails from the east coast to the west in the 1800's, often made their own dolls and toys. Thanks to this unique and thoughtful book, kids of the '90's can, too. Turn a tin can into a lantern, or a piece of felt into faux-leather moccasins.

THE LITTLE HANDS ART BOOK: Exploring Arts & Crafts With 2-To 6-Year-Olds
by Judy Press
illustrated by Loretta Trezzo Braren
                      Williamson Publishing
                      ISBN: 0913589861
                      Ages 2-8
                      156 pages

Befitting of its title, this book serves up projects that are perfect for younger kids' little hands. Super-simple instructions, material lists, hints, and clear illustrations make it easy to turn milk cartons and clothespins into treasures kids --- and teachers --- will love.

MAKING CARDS
by Penny King
illustrated by Stephen Shott
Carolrhoda Books Inc.
ISBN: 1575052059
                      Ages 6-8
                      24 pages

For kids, making greeting cards for the people they love is much more fun than buying them. In this light and breezy book, King shows young readers exactly how to create great cards using paper and household items.

MAKING COOL CRAFTS & AWESOME ART: A Kid's Treasure Trove of Fabulous Fun
by Roberta Gould
Williamson Publishing
                      ISBN: 1885593112
                      Ages 6-14
                      160 pages

If crafting everything from costumes and baskets to puppets and masks is your goal, MAKING COOL CRAFTS & AWESOME ART is overflowing with age-appropriate ideas. Real kids have tried and rated each project. And while the crafts are broken into levels of difficulty, the author encourages any young artisan eager to tackle a task to give it a try. A wonderful, sometimes wacky resource book.

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