Metal

Children's Literature

The "Let's Create" series of craft books are reminiscent of another era. The projects and materials are unusual. The books were translated from Spanish, which may explain the unfamiliar supplies and old-fashioned projects. There are lots of kinds of readily available metal supplies that are great for arts activities. In the kitchen alone, one can find bottle caps, cans, aluminum foil, steel wool and aluminum pans. This collection contains instructions for twelve activities. The first is to make a sun from a painted bottle cap with pieces of wire taped to the back of the bottle cap for the rays of the sun. A board game of tic-tack-toe is made from an aluminum pan and bottle caps. Thumbtacks are put on a cork board to create a mosaic. The most elaborate project is a magnet fishing game. This is made with aluminum pizza pans, paper and wire. An old soda can is painted to become a windmill. Wire is bent to make the blades of the windmill and taped onto the can. An aluminum bread pan is turned upside down and becomes a bus. The windows and passengers are drawn on paper and glued onto the bus. A butterfly is cut out of a cake pan. A magnet is glued onto the back to make it ready for display on the refrigerator. Each project is on a spread that is illustrated with large photographs. Most of the supplies required for these activities should be readily available. 2003, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 5 to 9.
—Kristin Harris