Handmade Cards for Fun!

Children's Literature - Heather Christensen

This colorful book introduces the popular craft of card making to young readers. In three main sections readers will learn some basic card making techniques, practice those techniques in five projects, and discover some fun history and trivia about giving and making cards. Each of the projects includes a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, and a photograph of the finished card. Though the sometimes-stilted language is usually basic and straightforward, it might be helpful to have accompanying illustrations or diagrams of the techniques. The illustrative material is the book's biggest flaw as it does little to strengthen and augment the text. Certainly many readers would enjoy seeing a picture of the "Famous Card Maker" Gillian Chapman featured in the section titled "People, Places, and Fun." Other components of the book such as two glossaries and an index are more helpful and add to its functionality. A text box titled "Where to Learn More" lists a few book titles, museums, and web sites students can use to expand their knowledge of the subject. At its best, this book will inspire beginning card makers to creatively explore this fun medium. Reviewer: Heather Christensen