(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Cool Makerspace Gadgets & Gizmos series. This short volume introduces makerspaces and architecture, providing instructions for six projects that use Legos, K'NEX, and cardboard. Photographs accompany clear instructions, and brightly colored backgrounds and lively fonts create an engaging aesthetic. The finished projects should foster interest in tinkering. Includes tips for "Makerspace Maintenance." Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series. Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series. Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series. Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series. Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series. Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series. Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Photographs by Jennifer S. Larson. Reuse and re-purpose everything from socks to sweaters to tin cans and produce hats, gloves, home décor, and more. Each of thirty appealing projects is rated for difficulty; the entries include inspiration for the crafts, required equipment and materials, and step-by-step instructions. Full-color photos show the processes as well as the finished products, some modeled by young people. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Crafty Creations series. A few pages of introductory material (different kinds of felt in Felting; yarn types, explanation of "gauge," and a basic how-to in Crochet) lead to directions for eight or nine handicraft projects. Close-up color photographs illustrate most steps. While Felting includes general instruction for wet and needle felting, Crochet builds skills more deliberately as projects become increasingly complex. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: Crafty Creations titles: Felting Projects You Won't Be Able to Resist and Crochet Projects That Will Hook You.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Dabble Lab: Next Chapter Crafts 4D series. Each book offers step-by-step directions for nine literary-genre-themed craft projects including games, decorations, toys, and more. Some require unusual materials such as wing nuts, washers, and plumbing materials. Each entry includes lists of supplies and multiple full-color photos to clarify processes; occasional "Now Try This" boxes suggest alterations or extensions. Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Next Chapter Crafts 4D titles: Stellar Science Fiction Crafts and Legendary Nonfiction Crafts.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Dabble Lab: Epic Cardboard Adventures 4D series. Each of these themed craft books begins with an invitation to download the companion Capstone 4D app, but the books can be used without this feature. The cardboard- and duct tape–based projects range from simple to slightly complicated and requiring adult help; all are decidedly original. Clear step-by-step photographs augment the detailed instructions. Young makers and crafters should be inspired to start cutting and taping. Reading list, websites. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Epic Cardboard Adventures 4D titles: Explore the World with Cardboard & Duct Tape, Put on a Show with Cardboard & Duct Tape, and Travel Through Time with Cardboard & Duct Tape.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Dabble Lab: Epic Cardboard Adventures 4D series. Each of these themed craft books begins with an invitation to download the companion Capstone 4D app, but the books can be used without this feature. The cardboard- and duct tape–based projects range from simple to slightly complicated and requiring adult help; all are decidedly original. Clear step-by-step photographs augment the detailed instructions. Young makers and crafters should be inspired to start cutting and taping. Reading list, websites. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Epic Cardboard Adventures 4D titles: Explore the World with Cardboard & Duct Tape, Put on a Show with Cardboard & Duct Tape, and Travel Through Time with Cardboard & Duct Tape.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Dabble Lab: Epic Cardboard Adventures 4D series. Each of these themed craft books begins with an invitation to download the companion Capstone 4D app, but the books can be used without this feature. The cardboard- and duct tape–based projects range from simple to slightly complicated and requiring adult help; all are decidedly original. Clear step-by-step photographs augment the detailed instructions. Young makers and crafters should be inspired to start cutting and taping. Reading list, websites. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Epic Cardboard Adventures 4D titles: Explore the World with Cardboard & Duct Tape, Put on a Show with Cardboard & Duct Tape, and Travel Through Time with Cardboard & Duct Tape.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. Nineteenth-century, museum-quality handicrafts including a globe, a butter churn, a sled, and a weather vane inspire these fourteen lyrical stories--some totally fiction, some based on fact--of the objects' creators and users. Folksy gouache illustrations reflect the historic period and many of the tools the makers employed to carve, quilt, paint, embroider, or otherwise craft each item. Small photos and museum catalog information appended.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Dabble Lab: Next Chapter Crafts 4D series. Each book offers step-by-step directions for nine literary-genre-themed craft projects including games, decorations, toys, and more. Some require unusual materials such as wing nuts, washers, and plumbing materials. Each entry includes lists of supplies and multiple full-color photos to clarify processes; occasional "Now Try This" boxes suggest alterations or extensions. Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Next Chapter Crafts 4D titles: Stellar Science Fiction Crafts and Legendary Nonfiction Crafts.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Crafty Creations series. A few pages of introductory material (different kinds of felt in Felting; yarn types, explanation of "gauge," and a basic how-to in Crochet) lead to directions for eight or nine handicraft projects. Close-up color photographs illustrate most steps. While Felting includes general instruction for wet and needle felting, Crochet builds skills more deliberately as projects become increasingly complex. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: Crafty Creations titles: Felting Projects You Won't Be Able to Resist and Crochet Projects That Will Hook You.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Savvy: DIY Day Spa series. Andrus, previously lifestyle editor for American Girl magazine, teaches middle graders and tweens how to create a "spa experience at home." From chocolate mousse face masks and coconut lip balm (Gloss) to cuticle balms and gingerbread foot scrub (Lotions), the do-it-yourself (and all-natural!) grooming recipes are easily accomplished and perfectly pitched for readers looking to do some personal pampering. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: DIY Day Spa titles: Gloss, Floss, and Wash and Lotions, Potions, and Polish.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) 4-6 Savvy: DIY Day Spa series. Andrus, previously lifestyle editor for American Girl magazine, teaches middle graders and tweens how to create a "spa experience at home." From chocolate mousse face masks and coconut lip balm (Gloss) to cuticle balms and gingerbread foot scrub (Lotions), the do-it-yourself (and all-natural!) grooming recipes are easily accomplished and perfectly pitched for readers looking to do some personal pampering. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: DIY Day Spa titles: Gloss, Floss, and Wash and Lotions, Potions, and Polish.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) 4-6 Readers interested in hair braiding will appreciate this well-designed instruction manual, organized into categories such as "School Hair" and "Party Hair." Each spread's verso shows the finished style and identifies the difficulty level and required materials; the recto has clear instructions and photos of each step (featuring primarily, but not exclusively, Caucasian models). The approachable package makes complicated-looking braids seem (hair)do-able.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Create with Duct Tape series. Each volume begins with a cursory overview of the habitat and its respective food chain. The following six related modeling and craft projects explore habitat features such as the rainforest water cycle (by making a "self-watering" terrarium). Not all the projects are especially informative (e.g., "chimp tools" made from pretzel rods), but overall the books could provide good fun for nature lovers. Glos. Review covers these Awesome Super Simple Habitat Projects titles: Super Simple Backyard Projects, Super Simple Farm Projects, Super Simple Grassland Projects, Super Simple Ocean Projects, Super Simple Rain Forest Projects, and Super Simple Wetland Projects.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges