Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2004)

These books provide clear instructions for making a variety of items related to a particular era in American history. Most projects use accessible materials but do require adult assistance. Maps, illustrations of varying quality, and archival photographs combine with a superficial text to explain the significance of the featured craft. Limited historical information makes these titles additional purchases. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Hands-On History titles: Projects about Colonial Life, Projects about Plantation Life, and Projects about Westward Expansion.]

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Each of these volumes begins with period illustrations, a colorful outline map, and an invitation to readers to journey back in time and enter a particular era. The books are divided into four chapters, each one dealing with a different geographic area introduced by a page of historical background. Three or four interesting projects are included in each of these sections. They reconstruct something from the period, such as a recipe, a game or toy, a tool, or a craft. The clearly written directions include numbered steps and helpful thumbnail watercolor illustrations. Materials lists are printed on yellow backgrounds. These titles are solid choices for children who need activities to enhance their social studies projects or who just enjoy handicrafts. Laurie Carlson's Westward Ho! (Turtleback, 1996) has more projects and more historical information than Westward Expansion, but the steps are not as well delineated as in Broida's book.-Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2004)

Reviewed with Marian Broida's Projects about American Indians of the Southwest .Gr. 3-5. The new Hands-On History series fits the bill both for teachers wanting to liven up American history units and for creative kids entranced by yesteryear. Don't be put off by the slightly washed-out illustrations on the book covers; the material inside is much slicker, and there are plenty of full-color diagrams, photos, and illustrations. Each title features about 10 simple, satisfying projects, divided into three main sections: northern, middle, and southern colonies in Colonial Life; Ancient Pueblo People, The Navajo, and The Hopi and Zuni in American Indians. Most of the activities are introduced with a lively you-are-there narrative, so readers can readily imagine themselves in another time and place as they tackle projects such as preparing hasty pudding, making a quill pen, sculpting Zuni-style fetishes, or learning bits of the Navajo code used in World War II. A glossary, further readings, and Internet resources round out each volume.