CHECK IT OUT

For parents, teachers, Scout leaders and kids, new books about crafts

can inspire dozens of wise and whimsical projects.

Children can learn about history by brewing root beer, molding sugar

skulls and milking an imaginary cow with “Kidtopia, ‘Round the Country

and Back in 60 Projects.” In this activity book for inquisitive minds,

Roberta Gould provides instructions for artistry that can teach children

about colonial America, pioneer life, the Gold Rush and Hollywood’s early

days.

Equally valuable for bringing the past alive is David King’s “World

War II Days.” Geared for 8- through 12-year-olds, this hands-on approach

to learning includes directions for making a toy periscope, concocting a

Coney Island hot dog and keeping track of the weather with a

three-dimensional cloud chart.

Time travel can be even more extreme with “How to Draw Dinosaurs,” one

of six volumes in Laura Murawski’s new series. With little more than

pencil, paper and an understanding of shapes, young artists can give form

to eight prehistoric creatures using ovals, circles and curved lines.

Using a similar approach, Patricia Walsh focuses on monkeys, giraffes,

lions and tigers in “Wild Animals,” one of several volumes in her

recently published “Draw It” series. Brief introductions provide

background about each beast, while tips on shading and crosshatching will

help burgeoning Picassos give their pictures a polished look.

Long before pencils and paints were available, art supplies came from

nature. Kids can revisit those times with Ellen Senisi’s “Berry Smudges

and Leaf Prints,” featuring such projects as bookmarks made with pressed

flowers and tie-dyed bandannas. Pass on this one if you don’t want to

mess with red berry juice and other natural substances not typically used

as paint.

Kids can combine dramatic talents with creative artistry with help

from “The Usborne Book of Puppets,” by Ken Haines and Gill Harvey. With

socks, buttons and other everyday supplies, an ensemble cast of finger

mice, clowns and glove people can come together.

From a related “Usborne First Skills” series, there’s “Starting Face

Painting” by Fiona Watt and Caro Childs. Find everything you need to know

to transform an ordinary countenance into a Dalmatian, a duckling or a

sinister beast in this lively introduction for beginning artists.

Beyond published instruction, there are free after-school programs for

craftspeople in second through fourth grades, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on

the second Wednesday of the month at the Newport Beach Central Library,

1000 Avocado Ave. Whether kids want to test their talent or just have

fun, they can sign up for these activity-packed sessions at the Central

Library Children’s Desk, or call the Children’s Desk at (949) 717-3800

and choose option No. 5.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Gina Moffitt. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at o7 www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

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