Some books are read for pleasure, some for study. But the series in this section show kids that books can be real-world instructors as well. Converting manual activity into language is often an overlooked skill, but it is one that helps develop observational faculties and linguistic precision. Reading and following instructions shows students the value of clarity and word choice in their own writing–we grind nuts and seeds into flour, while we mix peanut butter and honey together to make a paste. And then we get to eat!

Preschool-Grade 4

DICKER , Katie. You Can Draw Birds!. ISBN 978-1-4339-8723-6; ISBN 978-1-4339-8726-7. LC 2012033133.
––––. You Can Draw Cats!. ISBN 978-1-4339-8727-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-8730-4. LC 2012033132.
––––. You Can Draw Dogs!. ISBN 978-1-4339-8731-1; ISBN 978-1-4339-8734-2. LC 2012022952.
––––. You Can Draw Exotic Pets!. ISBN 978-1-4339-8735-9; ISBN 978-1-4339-8738-0. LC 2012033134.
––––. You Can Draw Fish!. ISBN 978-1-4339-8739-7; ISBN 978-1-4339-8742-7. LC 2012033138.
––––. You Can Draw Horses!. ISBN 978-1-4339-8743-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-8746-5. LC 2012033136.
ea vol: illus. by Mike Lacey. 32p. (Draw Your Pet! Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Gareth Stevens. 2013. PLB $26.60; ebook $26.60.
Gr 2-4–Appealing color photos of adorable pets will keep kids turning the pages of this set. Short text passages offer fun facts to quote and tips about each species’ or breed’s temperament and needs. Six step-by-step drawing projects per volume start with an outline of the animal, making the finished drawing achievable even by kids who do best with tracing. This is a solid technique for learning to draw from a photograph, but it limits extensibility; because the drawings are not built up from basic shapes or physical forms, young artists will not learn to draw variations on the poses in the books. This outline-and-fill-in technique also bypasses the hidden benefits that can come with how-to-draw books: practice with geometric shapes, awareness of anatomical forms, and dimensional perception.

LAPENTA , Marilyn. Fall Shakes to Harvest Bakes. ISBN 978-1-61772-742-9; ISBN 978-1-61772-791-7. LC 2012033940.
––––. Spring Spreads to “Nutty” Breads. ISBN 978-1-61772-744-3; ISBN 978-1-61772-793-1. LC 2012039829.
––––. Summer Sips to “Chill” Dips. ISBN 978-1-61772-741-2; ISBN 978-1-61772-790-0. LC 2012033939.
––––. Winter Punches to Nut Crunches. ISBN 978-1-61772-743-6; ISBN 978-1-61772-792-4. LC 2012037780.
ea vol: 24p. (Yummy Tummy Recipes: Seasons Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. websites. Bearport. 2013. PLB $23.93; ebook $23.93.
Gr 1-6–The 13-to-14 recipes in each volume are easy to make, require accessible ingredients and prepared foods, and cover a variety of categories, from drinks (“Warm Cranberry Punch”) to dessert (“Baked Stuffed Apples”). They’re also wholesome without calling a lot of attention to that fact; they’re packed full of fruits and vegetables, fiber, and sugar substitutes such as honey and agave nectar. Bright, seasonally appropriate palettes and sharp, color images of food and ingredients give the books an appealing, modern look. The “Healthy Tips” section at the end of every title offers additional ways for readers to make their culinary creations delicious and nutritious. The syntax is occasionally stilted, with many simple sentences and few transitions, but this is not much of an issue given that the bulk of the writing here is instructional.

LARSON , Jennifer S. Delicious Vegetarian Main Dishes. ISBN 978-0-7613-6635-5; ISBN 978-1-4677-0133-4. LC 2012020923.
––––. Meaty Main Dishes. ISBN 978-0-7613-6634-8; ISBN 978-1-4677-0134-1. LC 2012020922.
––––. Perfect Pizza Recipes. ISBN 978-0-7613-6637-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-0136-5. LC 2012020924.
––––. Super Pasta and Rice Dishes. ISBN 978-0-7613-6641-6; ISBN 978-1-4677-0135-8. LC 2012022477.
––––. Tasty Sandwiches. ISBN 978-0-7613-6643-0; ISBN 978-1-4677-0137-2. LC 2012022478.
––––. Yummy Soup and Salad Recipes. ISBN 978-0-7613-6633-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-0138-9. LC 2012020921.
ea vol: 32p. (You’re the Chef Series). further reading. glossary. illus. index. websites. Millbrook. 2013. PLB $26.60; ebook $19.95.
Gr 1-4–These recipes manage to hit a sweet spot in kid cookery: they require little in the way of expertise, yet are complex enough to be interesting. None of your “Ants on a Log” nonsense here. Young chefs will be taking a stab at “Tasty Pad Thai Noodles,” “Chicken Wonton Soup,” and “Terrific Turkey Burgers.” The instructions are detailed and thoroughly illustrated with clear color drawings; photos show the enticing final products. The ingredients are readily available and include very few processed foods and only one or two convenience items–after all who could blame cooks for buying a bag of shredded carrots instead of julienning two cups of carrots themselves? The 9 or 10 recipes in each book focus on nutritious ingredients but aren’t stingy with the cheese. Most of them have a suggested “Try This!” variation that gently encourages kids to get creative with their cooking.

LAY , Richard. A Green Kid’s Guide to Composting. ISBN 978-1-61641-943-1; ISBN 978-1-61480-581-6. LC 2012023789.
––––. A Green Kid’s Guide to Garden Pest Removal. ISBN 978-1-61641-944-8; ISBN 978-1-61480-582-3. LC 2012023790.
––––. A Green Kid’s Guide to Organic Fertilizers. ISBN 978-1-61641-945-5; ISBN 978-1-61480-583-0. LC 2012023791.
––––. A Green Kid’s Guide to Preventing Plant Diseases. ISBN 978-1-61641-946-2; ISBN 978-1-61480-584-7. LC 2012023792.
––––. A Green Kid’s Guide to Soil Preparation. ISBN 978-1-61641-947-9; ISBN 978-1-61480-585-4. LC 2012023793.
––––. A Green Kid’s Guide to Watering Plants. ISBN 978-1-61641-948-6; ISBN 978-1-61480-586-1. LC 2012023795.
ea vol: illus. by Laura Zarrin. 24p. (A Green Kid’s Guide to Gardening! Series). glossary. index. websites. ABDO. 2013. PLB $27.07; ebook $27.07.
Gr 1-3–This set contains clear and concise instructions and information that encourage kids to enjoy all aspects of gardening while taking responsibility for the Earth. Young readers will appreciate the frank language–worm poop gets a lot of play–and accessible analogies (a raised bed is compared to a bed for people). The tips and advice are quite good: in Garden Pest, students learn that ants hate mint, and in Composting it’s explained that you shouldn’t put meat, oil, or dairy into a compost “because animals will get into your compost pile.” The cheerful illustrations are particularly charming; they depict kids of all sizes and hues working together, using tools, and caring for their plants. Like the text, these drawings are clear and helpful. Each book is rounded off with an activity, some of which, like “Grow Seedlings” (in Watering Plants) can even be undertaken in colder months. Great nonfiction for early readers.

Grades 5 & Up

BERRY , Bob. How to Draw Magical, Monstrous & Mythological Creatures. illus. by Bob Berry. ISBN 978-1-936309-92-4. LC 2012004770.
CORFEE , Stephanie. Fashion Design Workshop. illus. by Stephanie Corfee. ISBN 978-1-936309-85-6. LC 2012004733.
WHITTEN , Samantha & Jeannie Lee . How to Draw Manga Chibis & Cute Critters. illus. by Samantha Whitten. ISBN 978-1-936309-93-1. LC 2012020277.
ea vol: 128p. (Walter Foster Studio Series). photos. Walter Foster. 2013. PLB $35.65.
Gr 7 Up–Each volume  should be evaluated in terms of  collection needs. The characters in Creatures are entertaining, appealing, and/or gruesome, but following the step-by-step instructions requires a high degree of artistic skill. Workshop includes a glossary of fashion industry terms, a visual glossary of garment types, a guide to drawing clothing textures, and a “Fashion Figures Templates” section that many artists could find useful. The finished drawings are at an attainable skill level, which is to say they look like the drawings in any fashion-mad teenager’s notebook. Manga is a helpful introduction to the basic shapes and stubby, simplified proportions of these diminutive characters. While this book is somewhat marred by oversimplification and an inconsistent use of terminology, enthusiasts will learn from it.

BOLTE , Mari. All-American Girl Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch. illus. by Sole Otero. ISBN 978-1-62065-039-4.
––––. Girly Girl Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch. illus. by Brooke Hagel. ISBN 978-1-62065-035-6.
––––. Harajuka Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch. illus. by Brooke Hagel. ISBN 978-1-62065-034-9.
––––. Hollywood Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch. illus. by Sarah Dahl. ISBN 978-1-62065-037-0.
––––. Rock Star Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch. illus. by Sarah Dahl. ISBN 978-1-62065-036-3.
––––. Skater Chic Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch. illus. by Jennifer Rzasa. ISBN 978-1-62065-038-7.
ea vol: 32p. (Snap Books: Drawing Fun Fashions Series). further reading. websites. Capstone. 2013. PLB $27.32.
Gr 4-8–These titles are a combination of style manuals and how-to-draw books. Instructions for 13 projects per volume are given in just a few steps, from figure drawing to finished fashion illustration. Along the way, text boxes offer tips on how to pull off each look. A variety of illustration styles gives young artists a lot to choose from. For example, the models in Girly Girl are glamorously proportioned, all legs and lips, while the teens in Skater Chic are more realistic. Each book features ethnically diverse models, and All-American Girl includes a chic “Got It Covered” outfit: long-sleeved peasant top, wide-leg jeans, wedges, and a flattering headscarf. Most youngsters will find it difficult to replicate the results exactly, but frequent pro tips offer helpful advice, such as using a white crayon and watercolor to imitate crochet, or eye shadow to draw fluffy textures.

GREEN , Gail D. Pretty Presents: Paper Creations to Share. ISBN 978-1-62065-041-7.
LAUGHLIN , Kara L. Marvelous Memories: Paper Keepsake Creations. ISBN 978-1-62065-044-8.
PHILLIPS , Jennifer. Adorable Accessories: Paper Creations to Wear. ISBN 978-1-62065-043-1.
––––. Snappy Style: Paper Decoration Creations. ISBN 978-1-62065-042-4.
ea vol: 32p. (Snap Books: Paper Creations Series). further reading. photos. websites. Capstone. 2013. PLB $27.32.
Gr 7 Up–Quilling, creating paper pulp, wrapping, and designing mosaic and decoupage are just a few of the techniques readers will learn as they create useful items such as bowls and photo frames, or decorative ones such as ornaments and nameplates. Thirteen inventive projects per volume range in difficulty from the super simple “Bookshelf Zoo” (Style), which involves cutting out matching shapes from contrasting colors of cardstock and gluing them together, to the truly challenging “Paper Purse” (Accessories). These crafts allow for a lot of stylistic variation and interpretation, and results will vary depending on crafters’ dexterity and creativity. Instructions are detailed and clearly written, but they will test students’ ability to interpret and follow instructions as very few process photos are on hand to illustrate the steps.

LIM , Annalees. Fun with Fabric. ISBN 978-1-4777-0180-5; ISBN 978-1-4777-0204-8. LC 2012026230.
––––. Fun with Nature. ISBN 978-1-4777-0181-2; ISBN 978-1-4777-0205-5. LC 2012026228.
––––. Fun with Paint. ISBN 978-1-4777-0182-9; ISBN 978-1-4777-0206-2. LC 2012026227.
––––. Fun with Paper. ISBN 978-1-4777-0183-6; ISBN 978-1-4777-0207-9. LC 2012026226.
ea vol: 24p. (Clever Crafts Series). glossary. index. photos. websites. Windmill. 2013. PLB $25.25; ebook $25.25.
Gr 3-8–These crafts have easy-to-follow instructions and use materials found around the house or at a craft store. Projects such as cuddly stuffed sock monsters (Fabric), pinecone hedgehogs (Nature), accordion butterflies (Paper), and handprint animals (Paint) offer an impressive range of simple creative techniques while producing amusing decorative items Clear photographs provide reasonably complete documentation of each process, but some kids will wish for more detailed descriptions. For example, in Fabric, diagrams would be more effective to demonstrate braiding or weaving than photographs. A super-bright design palette and great-looking finished projects give this series shelf appeal. Most kids will be able to achieve attractive results, no matter their level of artistic talent. Some of these crafts could be considered curriculum-adjacent, making them solid choices for rainy-day class projects.

TUMINELLY , Nancy. Cool Dairy-Free Recipes: Delicious & Fun Foods Without Dairy. ISBN 978-1-61783-581-0; ISBN 978-1-61480-728-5.
––––. Cool Meat-Free Recipes: Delicious & Fun Foods Without Meat. ISBN 978-1-61783-582-7; ISBN 978-1-61480-729-2.
––––. Cool Nut-Free Recipes: Delicious & Fun Foods Without Nuts. ISBN 978-1-61783-583-4; ISBN 978-1-61480-730-8.
––––. Cool Raw Food Recipes: Delicious & Fun Foods Without Cooking. ISBN 978-1-61783-584-1; ISBN 978-1-61480-731-5.
––––. Cool Sugar-Free Recipes: Delicious & Fun Foods Without Refined Sugars. ISBN 978-1-61783-585-8; ISBN 978-1-61480-732-2.
––––. Cool Wheat-Free Recipes: Delicious & Fun Foods Without Gluten. ISBN 978-1-61783-586-5; ISBN 978-1-61480-733-9.
ea vol: 32p. (Cool Recipes for Your Health Series). glossary. index. photos. websites. ABDO. 2013. PLB $28.50; ebook $28.50.
Gr 3-8 –It’s not impossible for kids with dietary restrictions to find recipes in general-interest children’s cookbooks, but it’s not easy, either. These titles are a welcome addition. Each one features eight medium-to-easy recipes paired with color photos and bracketed by information about the reasons why people may choose or need to restrict their diet and how to make cooking to these specifications easier. Some ingredients may be unfamiliar to readers not already living a dairy-free or wheat-free life, but chances are that the kitchens in the homes of children with gluten sensitivity, for example, will already contain items like rice flour and xanthan gum. Many recipes call for semi-prepared foods, such as pudding mix or gluten-free pizza sauce, which is perhaps understandable in Wheat-Free and Dairy-Free given the challenges of creating kid-friendly recipes that exclude many common ingredients. Start a conversation and fill an inclusion gap with this series.

Your faithful arts and crafts reviewer once again called upon her patient children and their friends to field test recipes, crafts, and drawing projects for this season’s batch of books. Windmill’s “Clever Crafts” attracted the most attention; tweens in the group immediately started coming up with new ways to use the techniques demonstrated. Capstone’s “Snap Books: Paper Creations” will be especially tempting to teachers and librarians always on the lookout for clever, low-cost project options or activities using recycled materials. A seventh-grade manga artist looked askance at the stereotypical figures in Walter Foster’s ??Walter Foster Studio,” but conceded that the set would be helpful. None of the other drawing series met with much approval, and the adult in the room (me) was similarly unimpressed. We were quite charmed by ABDO’s “A Green Kid’s Guide to Gardening.” The seasonal recipes in Bearport’s “Yummy Tummy Recipes: Seasons” were met with unanimous approval, and grown-ups will appreciate the reliance on ingredients such as honey, yogurt, nuts, and other nutritious foods. We were most pleased with ABDO’s “Cool Recipes for Your Health.” These books not only provided recipes for children with allergies, they also explained why some kids might not eat certain things.