Pioneer Crafts (Kids Can Do It)
Grade 4-8.  An uneven collection of early American craft ideas. Directions for making each item are presented on two-page spreads; brief summaries explain how early settlers might have used these processes and objects. Spatter painting, moulded candles, rug braiding, silhouette painting, and punched-tin lanterns are all clearly explained. The illustrations are helpful, and well-done; however, the basket-weaving project includes no picture of the final product. The creation of a simple loom and weaving activity seems overly ambitious when compared with the other crafts. General instructions for carving with a knife, a procedure necessary for several of the activities, comes with safety tips but no suggestion for obtaining parental permission except to ask an adult to sharpen the blade. Supplies used in some projects are not the type normally found around the house (e.g., Plasticine, skewers, embroidery floss, etc.). Add to collections only where a large selection of pioneer crafts books is needed.?Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.