Book Review: 'Sweet Hearts' by Jan Carr

✰✰✰½ Kids will delight in following a little panda bear as he secretly hides paper hearts for Valentine's Day. There's a heart for mommy, one for daddy, another for baby, and even one for the dog. Thoughtful little celebrations of love appear all over the house, but who will guess who is behind it?

The Bottom Line: This sweet little rhyming tale of  a little panda's gifts of love will make kids smile. Illustrator Dorothy Donohue's paper collages are charming and cheery. This picture book is recommended for kids in grades Pre-K - K. The author has even included directions on how to make your very own paper hearts. Sweet Hearts would also be a fun choice for story hour since a craft idea is included.

Details: Sweet Hearts written by Jan Carr & illustrated by Dorothy Donohue. Hardcover picture book published by Holiday House in 2003. 32 p. ISBN: 0-8234-1732-8

Book Review: Back-to-School Crafts by Sue Locke

✰✰✰½ It's August, and it's that time of year when our thoughts turn to getting ready for school. If you are looking for fun and easy projects to fill the last days of summer vacation while getting ready for the new school year, check out Back-to-School Crafts. Twelve projects are included; each features step-by-step instructions and photographs. Projects range from pencil toppers, a school days chart, and pencil pots. Patterns, a glossary, and an index are included.

The Bottom Line: Back-to-School Crafts is a fun way to get ready for school. As part of the Creative Crafts for Kids series, the 12 crafts featured were designed for children. However, adults will need to supervise and assist when necessary. Recommended for beginning crafters and families with kids in grades K - 3. Also, recommended for grade school teachers and librarians looking for fun crafts to feature in August as the kids prepare for school. If you need more crafts ideas throughout the year, check out the other titles in the series including: Birthday Crafts, Friendship Crafts, and World Crafts.

Details: Back-to-School Crafts by Sue Locke. Hardcover published by Gareth Stevens Publishing in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4339-3542-8

Book Review: Have Yourself A Very Vintage Christmas by Susan Waggoner

✰✰✰✰ If you yearn for the days of Christmases past, then pick up this colorful title and take a trip back in time. The craft ideas in this book are cleverly organized by decades from the 1920s - 1960s. Each decade contains appropriate craft and decorating ideas popular in that era. Easy to copy color templates are included for many projects. This book also includes plenty of full color photographs to illustrate what the finished craft will look like.  Finally, this book contains a chapter featuring yummy candy recipes including: Mackinac Island Fudge, Caramels, Buttercrunch, and more.

The Bottom Line: What's not to like? This craft book contains festive ideas for crafty types of all levels. While some projects require a bit more experience than others, there is something for everyone. Additionally, most of the materials can be readily found at your local craft store. For those crafts requiring specific supplies, the author has included a source list. The only thing that would have made this book even better is an index. Recommended for everyone looking for fun, vintage Christmas crafts and holiday ideas. It's also great just for browsing!

The Bottom Line: Have Yourself A Very Vintage Christmas: Crafts, Decorating Tips, and Recipes, 1920s - 1960s by Susan Waggoner. Hardcover published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang in 2011. 144 p. ISBN: 978-1-58479-923-8

Book Review: FamilyFun Homemade Holidays

✰✰✰✰ Part of the fun of the holidays is the joy of making holiday crafts, gifts, and recipes. What better way to get started with the festivities than with a book from the experts at FamilyFun magazine? This book is chock full of 150 holiday treats, decorations and gifts suited for giving to individuals or planning parties. Included are ideas for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. Choose from crafts like the Faux Fireplace, Angel Votive, Holiday Garlands, or Popsicle-stick Snowflakes. Recipes include Old-fashioned Gingerbread,   Jolly Jelly Thumbprints, Chocolate Church Mice, and many more.

The Bottom Line: The crafts and recipes in this book are easy to make and kid friendly. Most of the ideas can be made with easy to find supplies and ingredients. There are plenty of full color photographs throughout. Kids will enjoy making these recipes, gifts, and decorations with adult supervision. Enthusiastically recommended for parents, teachers, and librarians looking for festive holiday ideas to use at home, in the classroom, or as a supplement to story time.

Details: FamilyFun Homemade Holidays: 150 Festive Crafts, Recipes, Gifts & Parties edited by Deanna F. Cook and the experts at FamilyFun magazine. Paperback published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. in 2009. 96 p. ISBN: 978-1-4027-6358-8

Cookbook Review: Gifts of Good Taste: The Creative Kitchen

✰✰✰✰½ Gifts from the heart are welcome any time of the year. This latest volume in the Gifts of Good Taste series features 100+ recipes for all gift giving occasions including the holidays.

There's something for everyone with recipes for homemade candies, holiday treats, and snacks. The cookie recipes feature all sorts of fun shapes like fish lures, watermelon slices, and ice cream cones. Bakers will also enjoy the variety of bread recipes for quick breads, muffins, biscuits, and yeast breads. And don't forget the beverages; there's plenty for coffee and tea lovers to enjoy.

Additionally, this book features cute gift presentation ideas like candy boxes, bottle bags, and ribbon roses. Patterns for crafts are included, and most require only basic skills. A recipe index is included as well.

The Bottom Line: Bakers looking for gift giving ideas will welcome this newest addition to the Gifts of Good Taste series by Leisure Arts. The Creative Kitchen features recipes and crafts that are quick and simple to make featuring ingredients and materials that are readily available. Bright, full color photos are included for each recipe and craft. Both bakers and crafters of all skill levels will find a bounty of ideas in this volume. Recommended for all.

Details: Gifts of Good Taste: The Creative Kitchen by Leisure Arts. Paperback published by Leisure Arts, Inc in 2011. 160 p. ISBN: 978-1-60900-124-7

Book Review: Zombie Felties by Nicola Tedman

✰✰✰✰ A little bit creepy and way too cute, these zombies are just begging to be raised from the dead. This craft book includes an introduction to the craft, a section for projects, and an index. The "Starting Out" section explains everything you need to complete these projects from the tools to the stitches to beading techniques. There are even ideas for adding fun embellishments. Each project includes a supply list, full-size template, and step-by-step directions with corresponding illustrations. All templates are the correct size and do not need to be scaled up or down. Also, included is a coffin template to make a home for your new zombie pal.

The book includes great full-color photographs and illustrations throughout. My favorite zombies include Pirate Zombie, Zombie Fairy, Zombie Bride, Pumpkin Head, Zombie Undertaker, and Vampire Zombie. However, don't underestimate these itty bitty critters. They look deceptively simple to make, but as with any new craft it takes some practice. Luckily, each has a difficulty rating from one to four skulls, and I highly agree with the authors' recommendation to start with an easy project.

The Bottom Line: Crafters can choose from 16 creepy, but adorable zombies and learn the ins-and-outs of a new craft trend. No machine sewing is required and novices and experienced crafters alike will enjoy learning something new. The projects are clever and tiny; however, the small size might add to the difficulty of assembling these cuties. Recommended for everyone who is looking for a cute way to get into the Halloween spirit. Also, this book makes a nice addition to libraries as it fills a unique niche.

Details: Zombie Felties: How to raise 16 gruesome felt creatures from the undead by Nicola Tedman & Sarah Skeate. Paperback published by Ivy Press in 2010. 80 p. ISBN: 978-0-7407-9764-4

Book Review: Country Living Merry & Bright

✰✰✰✰✰ Looking for fresh ideas and tips to help you create that perfect holiday atmosphere can be daunting unless you have the right book. Country Living Merry & Bright: 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas is packed with full-color photos that correspond to craft project ideas, seasonal decorating tips, and festive recipes. The ideas included in this paperback will add holiday sparkle to your home, but won't break the bank.

You can get an early start to your holiday planning by perusing topics for decorating, entertaining, tabletop decorating, crafting, and baking. The directions for the craft ideas are easy to follow with supplies readily obtained from your local hobby and craft store. Even the craft challenged will be pleased with the selection. Similarly, the book's recipes use simple ingredients found in even modest pantries. With the step-by-step directions, even beginning bakers will turn out professional tasting holiday treats.

The Bottom Line: With over 300 ideas, there's something for everyone. Even if you don't have time to decorate or bake, this book is great fun to leaf through the pages and enjoy the festive photos. This book will appeal to all levels of bakers and craft enthusiasts. Highly recommended for everyone looking for new and classic holiday ideas.

Details: Country Living Merry & Bright: 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas by The Editors of Country Living. Paperback published by Hearst Books in 2009. 223 p. ISBN: 978-1-58816-782-8