Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
NNFN2024 Review Tour: Winter Windows
It’s my first slot today on the NNFN 2024 Bloggers’ Review Tour and I am sharing something which is perfect for inspiring creativity and allowing families and friends to share the joy of Christmas crafting!
‘Winter Windows’ contains both a booklet and wallet containing stickers, patterned paper, pop-outs and twenty transparent picture pages. In order to make the projects in the book, all that is needed is some colouring pencils (paints, crayons or felt tips), scissors, sticky tape or glue and a little imagination!
The booklet is full of ideas for how to use the resources in the wallet. By colouring in the transparencies, various scenes can be created and used to make baubles, cards, gift tags, bunting and lanterns amongst other things. Advice is given to use LED lights as projects should not be put near candles or lightbulbs, as the transparencies come to life when they are lit up, offering a festive glow.
One of the lovely things about this book is that the ideas here are sure to lead to others, encouraging children to be creative. Tracing paper is both readily available and relatively cheap, allowing for new pictures to be made easily. The ‘Elf door’ activity allows children to create a scene behind an opening door which, with a little imagination, could easily be adapted to include a family gathering. Similarly, the winter scene could be altered to include their own home.
The activities included here are sure to engage and entertain children as well as giving them the opportunity to create gifts and decorations for family and friends.
Creative Paper: Winter Windows
Toni Stemp, designed by Isabelle Grace
iSeek books ISBN: 978-1915995261
Make sure you look at the other reviews for NNFN2024 from these brilliant bloggers!
The Repair Shop: Craft Book
Like many people, I love everything about The Repair Shop. It is such a joyful patch of escapism and positivity with a lovely team of such skilled people, celebrating those items which are irreplaceable to their owners, full of memories and love. This brilliant book is jam packed with practical crafty ideas for children- and adults - to enjoy!
Readers do not need to be familiar with the television programme to appreciate this book; however, illustrations of the regular members of the team are included, showing the range of skills which they bring to the show. Following some advice about collecting materials and basic craft skills, the activities are then grouped into four sections: Making Toys, Perfect Presents, Outdoor Activities and Do-It-Yourself Decorations- and there really is something to tempt all tastes and all abilities.
Each project has a clear list of materials needed and then an illustrated step-by-step guide, with additional ‘Crafty Tips’. There is a real focus on using everyday household objects, making it perfect for those rainy days when seeking something to do as well as for planned projects. The wealth of ideas on offer in these pages will keep readers busy for many months and is sure to inspire further projects as many suggestions are given to extend the fun and creativity. The ‘Tawny Owl Pincushion’, for example, offers suggestions for making a fox, a pig or a panda, but the possibilities are limited only by the imagination (and skill!) of the maker.
The perfect gift, ‘The Repair Shop: Craft Book’ is an essential addition to home, school and library shelves, opening a world of crafting possibilities to the next generation.
The Repair Shop: Craft Book
Over 30 Creative Crafts for Children
illustrated by Sonia Albert
Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529507980
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Pirates Ahoy!
I have to confess that I am something of a Shifty and Sam superfan! Since their first picture book won the first North Somerset Teachers’ Book Awards picture book category in 2015, I have eagerly awaited each new adventure and have read these stories to many children, many times. So I was delighted to discover that Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are off on a new adventure and I set out to buy it on my trip to Bath today.
The loveable robber-dogs-turned-bakers are catering for a pirate party when Captain Chucklebeard’s treasure is stolen. The party band is really a pirate gang who have made off with the treasure. But Shifty and Sam zip into action, saving the day!
Tracey’s rhyming text is a joy to read aloud! It captures the energy and excitement of the tale perfectly whilst Steven’s illustrations are full of visual humour and such detail. I am delighted to see that the lovely little spider has made a return and can be found on every page, encouraging children (and adults!) to pour over each spread. This winning team has produced another winning book!
My love of these two characters has meant that I have made Sam cupcakes, a Sam pumpkin, a Sam balloon and a miniature Sam toy. This is because, being very limited artistically, Sam’s shape makes him relatively easy to draw and so once again, I have used him as the inspiration for this simple making activity! You will need card, scissors and felt pens. The card can be from a cereal packet or similar, but will need to be coloured/ painted to match Sam.
First, find a circular object and draw round this twice on card. One piece is for Sam’s body and so will need to be brown. Cut each circle out carefully- the more circular they are, the better the end result! Fold one in half- this is for the rocker and so doesn’t need to be brown. Next, cut a piece of white card (or you could use paper) to make Sam’s jacket. You can do this by cutting another circle and cutting off the top and bottom if you find it easier.
Cut two small rectangles of white card for Sam’s arms, adding brown semi-circles to one end for his paws. Stick these behind the white ‘jacket’ and then stick this to the body. Decorate this with felt tips so that it looks like Sam’s jacket in the illustrations. Now cut two small white circles (for the eyes) and two small brown circles (for the ears) and stick these in place. Now, add the rest of Sam’s facial features using felt tip (see first picture below). Next, cut two small rectangles of brown card for Sam’s legs, rounding off one end for his paws. Cut a chef’s hat from white card and stick this and the legs in place. Turn Sam over and attach the second folded circle carefully to the back, making sure you line the edges up carefully.
Tap one of his arms gently and watch him rock from side to side! Now, if only I could draw Shifty..!
