Do you like to get creative? Have you got the "there's nothing to do" blues? Is bad weather keeping you indoors? No matter what inspires you to take a look at these craft and activity books, we know you'll be glad you did.

If you've got some time and are ready for fun, there's sure to be something on our list that will have you crafting in no time. Maybe you'll try making a piggy bank out of papier-mache. Or creating your own stationery. Or making cool decorations for a party or for your bedroom wall. We've got easy-to-follow books on all these projects and more in our super crafty round-up.

So grab some paper, glue or paints --- and your imagination ---and get ready to amaze yourself.

----- Shannon Maughan

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS AT HOME: 35 Projects to Make Together
by Charlotte Lyons
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0684862735
160 pages

Working with a child on a project creates an atmosphere of sharing and communicating, allowing us to work side-by-side while creating intangible memories as well as keepsakes. MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS AT HOME is beautifully illustrated, with projects ranging from simple (paper lace) to complex (a hooked footstool); from "An Hour" (painted mugs) to "As Long As It Takes" (a recipe scrapbook). The projects are clearly presented, and the results are a step above the average "kids" craft book. More than a dozen personal anecdotes from women and their daughters make the book even more of a treasure -- perhaps a keepsake in itself.

--- Reviewed by Annamarie Knapp

NATIVE CRAFTS: Inspired by North America's First Peoples
by Maxine Trottier
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1550748548
Ages 9-12

The clear instructions and illustrations in this book produce truly lovely results. Using good quality, easy to find materials, you and your children can work on projects similar to the tools, jewelry, toys, and clothing used by Native Americans. The Pueblo bullroarer produces a sound like a howling wind or wolf; the hoop drum is made from a laced circle of wet leather and will dry to a taut surface; the bear claw necklace is made from claws fashioned with clay. Children will enjoy the background information on the history of each project as well as a map of ancestral territories.

--- Reviewed by Annamarie Knapp

THE KIDS CAN PRESS JUMBO BOOK OF EASY CRAFTS
by Judy Ann Sadler
illustrated by Caroline Price
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1550748114
Ages 3-7
208 pages

This jam-packed book contains over 175 projects. Materials are listed alphabetically, so you can go right to the crafts that match up with items you can find around the house. Aluminum foil, buttons and yarn are just a few of the selections. Before long, you'll be whipping up a bead buddy, doily angel, clothespin dragonfly or a tissue-box dollhouse.

DISNEY PRINCESS CRAFTS (June 2001)
by Laura Torres
illustrated by Dan and Sherri Haab
Disney Press
ISBN: 0786832681
Ages 4-7
64 pages

Step-by-step instructions help you create some of the glittery items from the worlds of Disney princesses Aurora, Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Jasmine and Belle. You'll find 40 crafts and full-color photos of each completed project.

THE HALLOWEEN BOOK
by Jane Bull
DK
ISBN: 0789466554
Ages 8-up
48 pages

On its cover, this book promises "50 creepy crafts for a hair-raising Halloween." On the inside pages, this spooktacular looking title delivers. From easy-to-make treats, to jack-o-lantern carving to costume and decoration designs, you'll find plenty of frightful fun here.

HANDS ON CRAFTS FOR KIDS: Crafts Around the Earth
by Kathie Stull
Katherine Stull, Inc.
ISBN: 1891514032
Ages 7-12
116 pages

Feel like a world traveler with this book containing crafts from the Outback, Rainforest, Desert, Farm, Coral Reef and more. Along the way, you'll learn lots about the various habitats of the world and the people and plants and animals that live in them.

HEY KIDS! COME CRAFT WITH ME
by Mary Engelbreit
illustrated by Carol Field Dahlstrom
Meredith Books
ISBN: 0696209063
Ages 6-14

Mary Engelbreit, famous for her designs that now adorn books, greeting cards and home decorations, invites kids to try their hand at discovering their talent for crafting.Not to worry, the activities are age appropriate, and she even includes suggestions for how to make the most of a mistake, and how to take a project to a higher level (if you're super-crafty, that is).

CRAFT FUN WITH SONDRA
by Sondra Clark with Silvana Clark
Meadowbrook Press
ISBN: 0689830696
Ages 7-up
128 pages

When Sondra Clark was 8 years old, she asked her mom to help her write this book. Sondra came up with the ideas for the 55 crafts here all on her own. She has even been on television demonstrating how easy and fun these projects are to make. Don't miss this creative and inspiring title.

WEARABLE ART WITH SONDRA: Over 75 Fun and Easy Craft Projects to Make and Wear
by Sondra Clark with Silvana Clark
Prima Publishing
ISBN: 0761525408
Ages 5-11
208 pages

Crafty kid Sondra (see CRAFT FUN WITH SONDRA) shows you how to turn old clothes as well as your favorites into something funky and exciting to wear by using crafting tools and household items. Glow-in-the-dark pajamas, tie-dye tennis shoes and specially decorated sunglasses and flip-flops are just some of the projects you'll find here.

FAMILY CRAFTING
by Carol Scheffler
Sterling
ISBN: 0806928999
Ages 7-up (younger, with adult help)
128 pages

This is a great book for a broad age range. It's got plenty of projects that kids and parents or caregivers can do together, and some that older kids can tackle pretty much on their own. Among the nifty ideas here: a frame made out of a CD case, a Valentine charm bracelet, a harvest basket and a Slinky-like toy.

MAKING FLEECE CRAFTS
by Judy Ann Sadler
illustrated by June Bradford
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1550747398
Ages 8-up
40 pages

Fleece has become an amazingly popular material. You probably have a blanket or some gloves or something made out of this soft and warm fabric already. Well, here's a collection of ideas for making all kinds of nifty things out of fleece. You can make a heart pillow, a snake scarf, a jester hat and more. Patterns and instructions are included. Crafts can be sewn by hand or on a machine. And if you don't sew, there are plenty of projects where you can use fabric glue to put the seams together instead.

THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF KID CONCOCTIONS: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions
by John E. Thomas
illustrated by Robb Durr and Zachariah Durr Kid Concoctions
ISBN: 0966108817
Ages 8-up
80 pages

Get ready for some ooey, gooey (and sometimes tasty) fun with the more than 70 recipes here for things you can make in your own kitchen. Some of the things you can try: frosting dough, whipped cream finger paints, apple head people, peppermint wreath, toothpaste putty and an edible underwater scene made with Jell-O and gummi fish. Yum!

THE GREAT KITE BOOK
by Norman Schmidt
Sterling
ISBN: 1895569176
Ages 8-up
96 pages

Up, up, and away! You'll be ready to go fly a kite you've made yourself after checking out this book containing designs for 19 nifty flyers. Most of these patterns come from the animal world. Choose from butterflies, a peacock, even a zebra design, then head for the clouds.

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