The Best-Ever Book of 100 Incredible things to Make, Do and Play

Book Name: The Best-Ever Book of 100 Incredible things to Make, Do and Play

Editor: Zoe Antoniou

Publisher: Lorenz Books

ISBN:1-85967-728-2

Cover: Paperback

# of Pages: 192

Illustrations: Color photos

Experience Required: Reading Level Ages 9-12

Book Review

The Basic Techniques Section at the front of the book shows you how to do Tracing, Scaling up and Papier-mâché techniques that are necessary to make some of the crafts in this book.  At the beginning of these chapters (Recycling Fun, Fun with Toys, Dressing-Up Fun), there is a handy list of materials to have on hand to make the crafts in that chapter and lists of necessary equipment begin the last two chapters (Gardening Fun and Cooking Fun).  Also at the beginning of all the chapters in this book (excluding the Gardening Fun chapter which has a glossary, with color photos) there are instructions, accompanied by color photos, for techniques necessary to do the projects in that chapter (i.e. the Making a Hole in a Can technique is necessary for the craft Big Foot Stilts in the Fun With Toys chapter). 

At the back of the book there is a handy templates section in which half of the patterns are actual size and the others need to be enlarged.  It is not necessary to use a photocopier to enlarge the patterns, remember; at the beginning of the book are the instructions to scale up the patterns.  This encourages children to participate in the entire process of the craft and there is no added expense for enlarging the pattern.

What I really appreciated about this book is the concern for children's safety while still ensuring their opportunity to participate.  There is an exclamation mark (!) rating on the instructions for techniques that require adult assistance (i.e. Sealing Rope Ends for the Skipping Rope craft in the Fun with Toys Chapter).

Favorites:

• Squeeze Bottle Dog Book-ends
• Rag Doll and Rag Doll's Dress, Pantaloons and Boots
• Felt Picture Book
• Flower Power Cushion
• Lion Make-up
• Blooming Old Boots
• Chocolate Witchy Apples

Overall Rating:

5/5

Available At:

Amazon.com
Amazon.ca