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~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~
-- 'THE GROWN-UP'S GUIDE
TO CRAFTING WITH KIDS' --
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,
Author Bio & Review~
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ABOUT THE BOOK {from
Goodreads}:
The ideal follow-up to the much-buzzed-about The Grown-Up’s
Guide to Making Art with Kids, The Grown-Up’s Guide to Crafting
with Kids features more tactile projects that will improve kids’
fine motor and visual processing skills, in addition to strengthening their
focus and memory. Plus, crafting is super fun!
The book follows the same format as the first in the Grown-Up’s Guide series,
consisting of multiple creative prompts, exercises, and step-by-step
crafting projects that children and adults can do together. Author Vicki
Manning, who runs a popular Instagram account where she regularly posts craft
projects that she’s done with her own kids, The Grown-Up’s Guide to Crafting
with Kids appeals to parents, caregivers, grandparents, teachers, and
anyone else who wants to spend creative time with the kids in their lives. Kids
will love working with adults to make crafts, which include:
Clay robots
Pom-pom ice-cream cones
Sun printing
Treasure boxes
Wax-resist bookmarks
And much more
Chapters on tools and materials, sourcing materials around the home
and outside, and suggestions for engagement and craft-making are included
as well. Crafters and families likely already have most of the items they need
for the projects, so it's easy to get started now. Plus, cleanup is quick
afterward!
With fun, colorful, and appealing artwork and projects; easy-to-follow
instructions; and crafts made from accessible, affordable, and popular
materials, The Grown-Up’s Guide to Crafting with Kids will quickly
become an essential book for families, preschool and elementary schools, art
classes, and more.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Amazon.com}:
Vicki Manning (1981-) was born in West Sussex, England and now lives
with her husband and three young boys in rural Oxfordshire. She has always had
a passion for crafting and since having children indulges this by coming up
with engaging and fun activities for them. She shares their creative learning
and crafting on her popular Instagram account @howweplayandlearn.
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MY REVIEW:
As you may have noticed from the number of S.T.E.A.M. books I review for my Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts, I enjoy reading crafting, sewing, cooking, etc., books written with children or 'family time' in mind.
Today's feature, 'The Grown-Up's Guide to Crafting With Kids' by Author Vicki Manning, is one of my favorite books in this genre because it is unique in one important and special way . . . This author truly enjoys spending time with her own children creating interesting projects and guiding them through the world of creativity with patience and enthusiasm.
The format of this book is reader-friendly. The color photos of the projects and stepped-out instructions are not tiny thumbnails. Many nearly fill the page with others filling one-half or one-quarter of the page. The book begins with an overview of sourcing materials, which tools and materials to use, how to remain safe while crafting, and how to keep from making messes on your furniture, etc.
Another element of this book I like is the author's emphasis on using items found in nature--twigs, sticks, leaves, shells, rocks, feathers, etc.--and common recyclables found around the home--jars, plastic bottles, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, cardboard, cereal boxes, and magazine pictures and illustrations from well-used books. This author is extremely resourceful in using these types of 'found' objects so that she has more funds in her budget to buy yarn, paints, felt, beads, clay, buttons, etc.
My favorite project in this book is the 'Sun-Printed Banner' using a dish towel, natural items, acrylic paints, etc. to make a photographic sun print or 'cyanotype' which can then be mounted on dowels and displayed on the wall. Fun and beautiful!
I also thought the Rainbow Leaf Garland and Wreath were clever and colorful pieces of home decor that children will enjoy sharing with others. Other awesome projects include the 'Papier-Mache Rocket', the cereal box 'Castle', the 'Sock Bunny' and 'Sock Octopus', and the 'No-Sew Felt Flowers'.
Highly-recommended for families, teachers, librarians, scout/camp leaders, church group leaders, youth group leaders, and anyone who wants to make some fun crafts for gifts or home decor!
I borrowed this book from the 'New Arrivals' shelf at our local public library.
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Find
the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from
middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog.
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This sounds like a wonderful book. I like the focus on using items in nature in crafting projects.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fantastic book because of the focus on doing craft projects together. I will keep it in mind. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered if you had a favorite! Some very memorable times can be shared across generations with this type of book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really like that it uses "found" objects as well and is written for families to do together. My younger son has always been an avid collector of things found in nature. I'm sure that these types of crafts would appeal to a lot of kids.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun book that a lot of families will have fun with! The sun-printed banner project you mention sounds particularly cool. Thanks so much for the great post!
ReplyDeleteThis does look good. My library has a copy for on-line check out. I will take a look. Thanks for the heads up.
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