This book is packed with 26 no-mess projects that are based on children's books, and an excellent resource for parents, educators, youth group leaders, and students, . Homeschooling families will find this book extremely helpful in coordinating art with reading and writing.
Each project contains full size colored photographs, step-by-step photographs, a detailed supply list, and easy to follow instructions. Instructions for each project are highlighted with a yellow back ground for easy identification. The last page of each individual craft project includes information on the featured related book, more related books, and writing prompt to encourage imagination and further writing. This book takes crafting and artwork into so many areas of learning for children.
The project, Magic Webs, was inspired by the book "Miss Spider's Tea Party", illustrated by David Kirk and published by Scholastic (1994). The Leather Bracelet project was inspired by the book "The Rough-Face Girl", by Rafe Martin. Readers will be able to locate a project for most seasons and holidays of the year. Some projects will include using recycled materials such as pantyhose, scrap material, and pop-top fruit cans.
Pattern pages are included for coordinating projects, and a page for Macrame diagrams. The book finishes with an Index and list of featured children's books. Although this craft book is coordinated with children's books for approximately ages 4-8, young children may require assistance. Older children may be more interested in the writing/imagination prompt versus the coordinated reading book.
The book's 128 pages provide a wide variety of craft projects, and related books, for any budget. Pages are included at the beginning of the book regarding what supplies the reader will need to get started. A basic tools list and a materials section are both included.
Although librarians may find many of these projects more costly and lengthy in time, it is beneficial to homeschooling families, parents, and other home educators. Parents will find this book full of activities to entertain and educate children during summer vacation and for indoor winter fun.
Author Holly Adler grew up assisting her mother read craft project instructions and sometimes helping her complete them. She has a fondness for children's books and has a personal collection of over 3,000 of them. Be sure to read the introduction that is included in the book, regarding Holly Adler.
Story Time Crafts for Kids, Vol. 1, by Holly Adler, North Light Books, Cincinnati, Ohio, Editor: Jane Friedman, 2000, ISBN: 1-58180-059-2, $16.99 USA.