An oversized activity book divided into seasons. Projects include cooking, garden-based activities, and crafts and art using nature or other easy-to-find items. The activities are aimed at children “to do with family and friends” – there is an assumption that an adult will be helping younger children for many of them. In some cases this might be simply organizing, in others helping with sharp objects or kitchen appliances.

Of the 52 projects, many (maybe all) can be found in other places. That said, this is a really nicely done collection of ideas for families of young children, and also for children’s librarians looking for something new to try for a craft time or story hour. Instructions are clear and illustrations are colorful and relevant, whether demonstrating what the project might look like or showing step by step directions. Another plus was that projects primarily used easy-to-find, inexpensive or free materials, including items simply found in nature, allowing for plenty of creativity. Also, it’s a really attractive book! Would be great in a display; it’s easy to imagine it catching the attention of browsing patrons.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library