Native Crafts: Inspired by North America's First People

Native peoples have always turned to the natural world to make everything from clothing to cooking utensils to ceremonial items. In the same tradition of using materials and designs inspired by nature, this book in the Kids Can Do It series shows kids how to make their own beautiful native crafts and musical instruments. Photos, diagrams and step-by-step instructions make it easy! Kids will also find out more about the many Native peoples of North America. Kids can make
• seed and bead jewellery
• clay pinch pots
• totem poles
• moccasins
• hoop drums
• corncob and cornhusk dolls

This book in the Kids Can Do It series features more than 16 beautiful crafts.

Children's Literature

Kids Can Press presents an instructional book focusing on Native Peoples crafts appropriate for the younger set. Sixteen items are described and directions for making them are detailed in the text. Directions are easy to understand and most items are made from commonly found materials. These projects would be fun for those hot, summer days when "there is nothing to do" echoes through the house. Not only will young people acquire some of the skills that Native Peoples used on a daily basis, but they will also have a "cool" finished project. Jewelry from seeds and beadwork, pinch pots, totem poles, wearable moccasins, cornhusk and clay dolls, and various musical instruments are choices in the book. The moccasin pattern is particularly impressive. The projects could easily be used in a classroom setting for Indian studies. A territorial map shows where thirty-three Indian tribes live in the North American continent. 2000, Kids Can Press Ltd., Ages 6 to 13, $12.95. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood

Maxine Trottier, award-winning author of numerous picture books, novels and non-fiction works, was born in Grosse Point Farms, Michigan, and moved to Canada with her family at the age of ten. Her inspiration as an author has often come from her ancestors—French habitants and the Miami people. Maxine lives with her husband, William, in Port Stanley, Ontario.

Esperança Melo is an artist and illustrator. She lives in Millbrook, Ontario.