The New Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts. Judy Ann Sadler. Illustrated by Caroline Price. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2009. 176 pp. pbk., $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-239-1. Subject Heading: Handicraft-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 5 / Ages 3-10. Review by Ruth McMahon. ***/4

The New Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts is a revision of the 2001 publication The Kids Can Press Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts (See Vol. 9, No. 21, June 20, 2003). These two editions are very similar in presentation with the striking difference being the colour illustrations. The total number of craft ideas has been reduced by about 25, but there are a few new additions, such as the "Cooked Creative Clay." The instructions, written and illustrated - of crafts that appear in the earlier volume - remain the same with the added energy of the coloured illustrations. The volume is 32 pages shorter, but the paper is of higher quality and will withstand more 'thumbings' and 'reshelvings.'


     The strengths continue to be the accessibility for young crafters with easy to follow illustrations and instructions. This time, the contents are divided into four sections: Imagine and Create, Wear and Use, Make and Play, and Decorate and Celebrate, relinquishing the not so easy to follow idea of organizing by primary component. The introduction still points out the need for adult supervision when using an iron, the stove or anything sharp. Families affected by nut allergies will be relieved to see that the nut crafts have been removed from the text.


     The new format makes The New Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts a good choice for libraries, and the work still remains a good choice as a birthday present.

Recommended.

Ruth McMahon is a professional children's librarian, storyteller, co-chair of the Rocky Mountain Children's Choice Book Award, and the mother of two elementary school aged children.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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