Children's Literature
In the same tradition as the bestseller Look What I Did with a Leaf! (1993), the author presents a unique book, which shows young craft-lovers how to use all kinds of seashells to create one-of-a-kind animal sculptures, nature scenes and decorative gifts. This resource contains helpful tips for collecting and preparing shells for crafts, as well as exploring various artistic elements--shape, size, color and texture--in order to make aesthetic shell arrangements. Colorful, close-up photos provide examples of all kinds of wonderful creations including shell creatures (penguins, owls, rabbits, cats, birds, and elephants), natural scenes (polar and forest regions), and decorative items ornaments and frames). In addition to helpful advice and activity ideas, this book also includes background information about shells, a mollusk glossary and an illustrated shell field guide. Young shell collectors will treasure this resource, which will definitely find a place in the beach bag next to the bucket and shovel. The only drawback to this wonderful introduction to shell crafting is that it's too short--it leaves the reader wanting more! 2000, Walker & Company, Ages 5 to 9, $15.95. Reviewer: Debra Briatico
School Library Journal
Gr 3-5-Sohi shows how seashells, some quite common, others more unusual, can be collected, prepared, and assembled into animal figures and other gifts. While the author states that there are over 60,000 types of shells, the "Field Guide" features only 15 varieties. Ten pages are devoted to "Training Your Artist's Eye" to recognize specific characteristics such as contrast, size, shape, color, and texture and how they can be used to craft fanciful creatures. While the book provides general techniques and ideas, instructions for making the figures are scant-only a few projects have actual instructions and they are written in narrative form. Color photographs of the different types of shells as well as completed models of a rabbit, dog, mouse, polar bear, cat, bird, sheep, elephant, and more are included. The overall layout is attractive; the endpapers feature myriad shell critters, and different-colored graphic waves fill the bottom borders of each spread. This book will inspire creative readers to experiment with this medium, but those who need step-by-step guidance will need to look elsewhere.-Leslie Millrod, Westhampton Free Library, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
