Sneaky Art: Crafty Surprises to Hide in Plain Sight. Marthe Jocelyn. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press (Distributed in Canada by Random House Canada), 2013. 64 pp., hardcover, $15.00. ISBN 978-0-7636-5648-5. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Courtney Novotny. *** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

We all like surprises, don't we? Getting and giving them. This book is a how-to manual for making art projects from easily found materials. The surprise comes from where you put your creation. How about a pair of eyes peeking up from a street grate? Or a birthday note tied around a tree? Each project is meant to be displayed in a public place, for people you may or may not know, in a made-you-look-twice spirit of fun.

Sneaky Art: Crafty Surprises to Hide in Plain Sight is a charming book full of inspiring craft ideas for kids. Both the writing and the craft projects are very accessible to children in terms of how they are presented and the ideas suggested. Each project has simple directions that are easy to follow, and the author has broken down the directions into simple sections, such as "materials" and "how to make". The author also offers ideas for variations on each craft and for "how to sneak" each project into a public space, which adds inspiration. Large, clear, and colourful photographs of each project provide further visual instruction and inspiration.

      The projects included are fun and creative, including tissue-paper cupcakes, locker tags, post-it note poems, and cork critters. Importantly, the suggested places for projects to be "installed" are accessible to children, such as at school or on park benches, so projects can be successfully completed and displayed.

      The projects in this book use recycled materials, which is not only environmentally friendly but keeps costs low for parents, those who work with children, and children themselves. Thus, the book's projects are appealing as they do not require materials that are difficult to find.

      Children can use this book on their own and get creative with their friends. Likewise, teachers, librarians, daycare providers, and others who work with children will also find this book useful and inspirational for program planning.

Recommended.

Courtney Novotny is a Community Outreach Librarian at Calgary Public Library in Calgary, AB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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