Making Cool Crafts & Awesome Art!: A Kid's Treasure Trove of Fabulous Fun

This book has what a lot of children's craft books don't have--and that is, it's experience-based. Real kids are making these projects--not adults. The results that are shown are what happens when kids make things--not adults or experienced artists. The photographs show the kids actually doing the steps, so you can see their looks of concentration or delight. This book is also unique because it teaches more than how to make something. Most of the projects are based in specific ethnic groups' crafts so the author has presented information about the origins or the cultural significance of the project--presented in a "gee whiz" sort of way that kids can relate to. Often there's a song included, rounding out the experience. Another thing I like is that the projects are worth doing and worth having when you're done. Real moccasins you can actually wear, for example. Or things you can eat --there are some great recipes. And almost all of them have the all important giggle-factor that makes them so much fun for kids. As a grownup, I intend to use this book for myself--I want to try the cowboy braided belt and the moccasins and the sugar diorama eggs. It also makes a great donation to a school's art program or after-school program because the steps are so easy to follow, and the materials are so readily available (she urges recycling). Seems to fit a lot of age groups (including the baby boomer...)