T-Shirt Fun. Petra Boase. London, ENG: Lorenz Books, 1997. Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books. 64 pp., hardcover, $12.95. ISBN 1-85967-508-5. Subject Headings: T-shirts-Juvenile fiction. Handicraft-Juvenile fiction. Grades 3 - 6 / Ages 8 - 11. Review by Dave Jenkinson. *** /4

Teachers of art in the elementary grades plus those who work with youth groups, such as Cubs and Guides, might want to examine T- Shirt Fun which provides ideas for decorating T-shirts with fabric paints, threads and material. Following a "Getting Started" section that sets out the materials needed and offers tips on preparing the T-shirt, painting, and making templates and stencils, the book provides directions for creating 25 different designs for both short and long sleeved cotton T-shirts. Each design is dealt with via a pair of facing pages which list the materials and tools "You Will Need," and the clear step-by-step instructions are accompanied by coloured photographs plus a picture of a boy or girl modelling the finished product. Some of the designs, such as "Really Wild," "Busy Executive," "Bug Collector" and "Bones, the Skeleton," could serve as the basis for halloween costumes while others, like "Sunny Sunflower," "Muddy Puppy," and "Space Trekker," would be suitable for everyday wear. "Noughts and Crosses," with its detachable "X's" and "O's," could even make its way into physical education classes. Levels of design difficulty vary from the complex, such as "Optical Illusion," to the very simple "Modern Artist" which requires no more than spatter painting. T-Shirt Fun would also be a useful home purchase for igniting a creative spark on those days when there just seems to be nothing to do.

Recommended.

Dave Jenkinson teaches courses in children's and YA lit. in the Faculty of Education, the University of Manitoba.

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

Copyright © 1998 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

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ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - FEBRUARY 27, 1997.

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