I hope all of you have been following along this month as the INK
authors share the Life-changing Nonfiction from their childhood. While reading
about each author’s background, I had to dig through the cobwebs to recall my own
early nonfiction experiences. It found it fascinating that, as adults, all the
INK blog authors now write about areas that we were drawn to as children.
During my author presentations, I share with the students my
childhood and how I loved making things. I grew up sewing stuffed animals for
my brother, designing Barbie clothes, making puppets, putting on shows and
creating anything. I believed that every child did this. Fast forward several
years where I found myself working at one of the largest toy companies in the world
designing stuffed toys --- with my office right next to all the Barbie
designers.
Thing is, I also would secretly write stories in my bedroom closet. I loved to read. Each week, my mom would drop me off at the Mount Washington Public Library, while she shopped at the local Krogers. By the time she came back to pick me up, I had a nice selection of titles to take home and explore.
Thing is, I also would secretly write stories in my bedroom closet. I loved to read. Each week, my mom would drop me off at the Mount Washington Public Library, while she shopped at the local Krogers. By the time she came back to pick me up, I had a nice selection of titles to take home and explore.
Here are a few of my favorite books that made a lasting impression on my life:
Toymaker's Book
by C. J. Maginley
Harcourt Brace and Co., New York, NY, 1948
Fun for one - or two: 200 activities for boys and girls
by Bernice Wells Carlson (Author) , Raymond Abel
(Illustrator)
Abingdon Press, January 1954
Make it Yourself! Handicraft for Boys and Girls
by Bernice Wells Carlson
Abingdon Press, 1950
Better Homes and Gardens Junior Cookbook
by Editors of Better Homes and Gardens January 1963
To be honest, I was fascinated by the little pear animals
and the ice cream cones with sprinkles.
Nowadays, parents and kids can get a cornucopia of craft and
recipe ideas on the internet. My daughter spends hours looking up things to
bake and make on Pinterest. In fact, after searching everywhere for the vintage
books that I listed above, my best source was Pinterest.
Today, most publishers have craft books that are very
focused on one particular craft, such as, popsicle stick characters or rubber band bracelets. Toy and craft companies create kits where children make what
is in the kit with all the materials provided for the project. There seems to
be a connection missing somewhere. The creative component has been left out of
the equation. Where is the experimentation? Where are the mistakes? Where is
the trying of new ideas?
For several years, I have taught a Winter After School Enrichment
class called Summer Arts and Crafts. Everything we make incorporates recycled items.
Everything the students create is very open ended. I explain all the many ways
that they can create projects using other recyclable materials from around
their own homes.
The current craft nonfiction books that children can choose
are well and good. I just think that there should be a few more books that lead
students to think about what they want to create, rather than just telling them
what to make.
A few new titles that I love are:
Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids: 175 Projects for Kids of All Ages to Create, Build, Design, Explore and Share
by Editors of Martha Stewart Living
Potters Craft June 2013
Potters Craft June 2013
Show Me a Story: 40 Craft Projects and Activities to Spark Children's Storytelling
by Emily K. Neuburger
Storey Publishing August 2012
Storey Publishing August 2012
Made by Dad: 67 Blueprints for Making Cool Stuff
by Scott Bedford
Workman Publishing Company May 2013
2 comments:
My favorite was Miss Patches Learns to Sew, written by none other than Carolyn Meyer! I was enthralled with the pear bunnies in the Betty Crocker children's cookbook, but was never given access to canned pears. Thanks for sharing these!
I really enjoyed this post. I loved seeing the covers of the old books. I agree that the kits now are so polished that there is often less room for creativity. Makes me want to get out my sewing machine and let my kids learn a thing or two!
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