Arts and Crafts for Summer Fun

Rhyming tales written for two voices makes an ideal — and humorous — introduction to readers’ theater. Well known fairy tales have been adapted, reorganized and reinvigorated with lively language and sprightly illustrations, worthy of many dramatizations.

This collection of creative activities involve science, art, cooking, and more. Concocting these concoctions will provide hours of ooey, gooey fun.

Make a thumbprint, add a few lines, and voila! you get an instant cartoon! This easy-to-follow book helps even the youngest make fascinating, funny creatures.

People the world over have one thing in common: from England to China, from Greece to Brazil and all places in-between, everyone eats! Starting with kitchen basics, the well-known chef guides a world culinary tour. Adults and kids are bound to enjoy making and eating these tempting recipes.

A bald little boy loves playing with his dog and his ball (and the bears he meets), showing a range of emotions through changing faces. Young readers are encouraged to make the same faces — and to look at their face on the last mirrored page. They’re sure to enjoy this introduction to the art of acting!

Create bugs, birds, and more, starting with a pattern of your hand. Easy directions provide jumpstarts for creative activities. An open format provides the helping hand while encouraging creativity.

Crisp color photographs with numbered instructions and recommended ages make this extensive collection of nifty ideas for everyday and special holiday crafts useful. Older children will be able to follow the ideas independently, while adults will likely work with younger children.

All of the supplies are provided, along with explicit directions to make a variety of pop-ups — everything from a big mouth frog to a gingerbread house. Building on the basic ideas, variations are suggested to make more pop-ups. You can write a story or make a card with this colorful paper art.

From very easy to more challenging, paper airplane folding is a craft that soars! Clear instructions along with crisp photographs make these airplanes sure-fire hits to fold, fly, and decorate.

How does classical art relate to contemporary children? By recognizing that there are universal ways to convey emotion through body language and facial expressions. Handsome reproductions, challenging questions, and activities are presented to encourage children and adults to examine art in a fresh way.

With a paper bag and a few other supplies, kids can make history come to life, travel to far-off places and try on other roles. Full color photographs of children in hats and head-dresses from around the world with easy-to-follow directions make these crafts that can lead to creative drama and more.

Information about the symbols, emblems, and gods from Ancient Egypt is included with step-by-step instructions on how to draw them. A guide to pronunciation and where to go for more information on Egyptian antiquities is also included.

Clearly organized instructions provide not only the know-how but ideas on how to make prints from easily found materials. As children craft their own artwork, they may just want to reread other books which use comparable techniques (such as Eric Carle). Also in the 1 2 3 series are the equally doable I Can Sculpt! and I Can Paint!

A brief explanation of what collage is and a list of readily available materials begins a can-do approach to collage projects. Suggested activities and a note for adults are included in this handsome and useful how-to book.