Look What I Made: Paper, Playthings And Gifts

Amy Purcell, a winning elementary school teacher from Watertown, MA, is the instructress in this infectious "how-to" for kids. Using foot-tapping rap music to bridge the instructional sections, Ms. Purcell delivers step-by-step instruction on a number of innovative paper projects that kids can do simply and safely, with a minimum of materials--giant helix snakes made from construction paper, paper flowers using tissue paper and pipe cleaners, a marionette dachshund made with paper and brads, paper hats from newspaper, origami, pinatas, and more. There's even a life-size paper hammock made from tightly rolled newspapers and nylon cord. And the program concludes with recommended craft books for young people which can be found in bookstores and libraries. Look What I Made is a perfect blend of professional production values, a clear rapport with its intended audience, and a series of new wrinkles built on age old ideas. And it works: my 8-year-old daughter was up and running for materials after the opening three minutes. Highly recommended. (Available from most distributors.)