Hands-On Latin America: Art Activities for All Ages
Grade 3-7-Attractive but somewhat flawed, this collection of craft activities is based on the great pre-Columbian civilizations of Latin America, with a nod to contemporary folk art. The projects include jewelry, masks and clothing items, models made from Styrofoam, musical instruments, and decorations. The items are shown in colorful photographs, but the instructions are a bit sketchy for children working alone. The accompanying material includes a map of the area with points of interest marked (and sometimes misplaced?Palenque is on the wrong side of the Yucatan, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is shown in the middle of the ocean) and a timeline (which states that the Maya site of Tikal was built in A.D. 100, although the earliest structures there are actually from 300 B.C.E.). A glorious photograph and two pages of text deals with New World contributions, erroneously including coffee, native to Africa. Information on the history and culture of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca people seems generally accurate. Florence Temko's Traditional Crafts from Mexico and Central America (Lerner, 1996) has only eight crafts, several of which are duplicated here, and all are from contemporary traditions; however, it has clearer instructions and equally enticing photographs. Jeremy Comins's Latin American Crafts (Lothrop, 1974; o.p.) has excellent ideas and instructions, but it lacks color photos. For teachers needing craft ideas and who are able to flesh out the instructions, Hands-on... would be a useful addition-Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.