Children who like trying a variety of crafts will find plenty to keep them busy in this British import. Sharp, clear, briefly captioned photos are sufficient to guide older children through most of the 50 projects on their own; a small icon designates activities that may require adult assistance. The book is divided into six chapters saics, printing, lettering, papier-mé, handmade cards, and origami th projects ranging from simple leaf prints to an elaborate necklace made from dry pasta. Patterns are at the end of each section instead, an inconvenience despite page references. In addition, there's no index, so kids will need to thumb through each section to see what's offered. But the photos of smiling kids showing off the creations, the attractive, spacious page design, and, above all, the ingenious projects will attract kids well as teachers, who can use the activities in myriad ways across the curriculum.

Gr 3-6-This book is a pleasure to read and browse through. It is consistent throughout in its use of vibrant color photos, clear directions, and mention of safety concerns. The crafts encompass "Printing," "Creative Lettering," "Mosaics," "Papier M'chi," "Origami," and "Handmade Cards"; each section opens with a brief historical overview of the technique. Both boys and girls will enjoy the wide range of ideas. The activities are presented in a numbered, step-by-step (only six) photographic format on a bright, white background. "You Will Need" and "Further Ideas" are neatly highlighted. However, children may question some of the terms and spellings, such as "jewellery," "personalise," and "clingfilm." The occasional full-page photos and dozens of patterns make it easy for kids to achieve good results. Projects include a Gecko T-shirt, Aztec Birthday Card, Egyptian Dominoes, Mosaic Chalk Board, African Mask, and Pop-up Dinosaur. Many activities can be used to supplement a lesson on different cultures, art, or space. Along with Rita Hoppert's 365 Art and Craft Activities (Publications Intl., 1996) and Judy Ann Sadler's The Kids Can Press Jumbo Book of Crafts (Kids Can, 1998), this will be a popular and useful addition to most collections.-Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.