Kathy Ross

Ok, I didn't actually make any of the crafts or read every word, but this sure seems actually quite wonderful. The projects (mostly holiday decorations) look adorable, and *easy.*

And the materials include upcycled 'trash' and supplies most people who have done any crafting at all have access to. Just expect to use a lot of green poster paint! And save, if you have them, heart-shaped candy boxes to reuse to make a certain shamrock decoration.

No parental advisory... the most 'dangerous' parts show more of this require, I dunno, safety scissors?

I really like the shamrock smiley face to wear over a shirt button - the slit that goes over the button is in the middle of the 'face' and so makes the 'nose' of the little face. The craft could easily be adapted to make a Jack O' Lantern, Easter bunny or chick, Santa or Elf, etc.

I also like the idea of turning an old laundry detergent cap into a mini basket... in this case filled with cotton puffs (salvageable from pill bottles) and then paper shamrocks tucked in. Again, I imagine this could be readily adapted to any holiday, so save those caps!

And I like that the author had just a little reminder of how each craft related to the honoring of the saint.

The author has created other child-friendly craft books, so search your library by her name. show less

Projects are easy enough, and (mostly) make products useful enough, for most families. Best of all, they use mostly found materials so you don't need to already have a bunch of tools or be willing to spend money at Michael's/ Jo-Anne's.

I like and will make the paper fan, even though, interestingly, that's the one that they made over-complicated: You obviously don't really need to wrap the popsicle stick handle in yarn, or cover the paper plates in tissue-paper flowers.

I do have to say that show more the pictures, to my taste, seemed just a bit 'off.'

Try all four in the set of seasonal crafts, then buy your favorite(s). show less

I used this book several times for a children's activity program at church. The illustrations and directions are very clear, although I had to adjust some of the procedures to make them easier for 7-11 year old.
First we told the story (from various sources) and acted it our with costumes, then made the associated craft.
The kids really enjoyed their creative artwork.

The mermaid mobile is lovely, but it requires blue plastic wrap... is that a thing? Most of the other ingredients, for all, are commonly available, and some are even repurposed 'trash.' Most projects are dolls and puppets. Some experience doing crafts is assumed; and some willingness to have projects turn out imperfect, too. For example, there are no templates for the drawings.

Nothing I could/would use, but some neat ideas for creative families.

Stories not included; you'll have to ask your show more librarian to help you find some of them. :)

Oct. 2021 show less