Made by Me by Jane Bull

Bull, Jane. Made by Me. New York: DK Children, 2009. 64 pages $14.99 ISBN 9780756651633

Plot Summary: Made by Me is a book of crafts for girls. It includes projects that involve embroidery, knitting and sewing. The book starts out giving ideas for setting up a craft space and recycling things to use as storage for supplies. There are really cute ideas for making storage. There are lots of pictures and diagrams on how to embroider, the different types of stitches, how to knit, and instructions for projects. Some of the projects include a doll and doll clothes, a knitted hat, both sewn and knitted bags.

Critical Evaluation: DK books are known for their books full of pictures, and in this instance the more the better. There are a ton of great pictures on technique and pattern instructions. The projects are definitely very girly, so it may not appeal to all girls. The level of the projects is for the beginner and aimed at younger girls, but would definitely suit tweens with minimal craft skills.

Reader's Annotation: Cute projects are easier to create than you think!

Author Bio: Jane has been writing books on art and creating things for children and adults for thirty years. She lives in London with three children and spends a lot of her time testing her crafts on her children.

Genre: Non-Fiction, Craft

Curriculum Ties: Good for an art class or home ec.

Booktalking Ideas: I think just showing the book would be a good way to talk about it. Show them what crafts they can learn to make.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 7 to 14

Challenges: None

Reason for including: I think kids should be given every opportunity to be creative, and sewing is an excellent way to be creative. Although it is aimed at younger girls, I think the projects would appeal to tweenage girls.

Style Remix DVD

Style Remix DVD
Style Remix: 21+ Fashion Projects. Little Rock, AR: Leisure Arts, Inc., 2007. 100 minutes. $19.95 ISBN 1601405618
Readers Annotation: More than 21 projects to revamp your wardrobe and create your own style.
Plot Summary/Critical Evaluation: Style Remix is an instructional DVD that includes projects of all kinds to create a unique wardrobe using what you already have. The hosts are friendly and informative and give great directions. The projects give great examples of what can be done but also give tips on how they can be changed and personalized. The projects are fun and up-to-date, no out-dated early 90s scrunchies here! There are ideas for purses, skirts, and many other fashion pieces.
Genre: Arts and Crafts, Fashion
Age Level: Ages 12 and up
Curriculum Ties: Could be used in a home economics class for extra instruction on crafts and sewing.
Book talking ideas: Talk about the many ways they can express themselves. Fashion is one way to express yourself that everyone will see and can be changed everyday. A great way to personalize your fashion and express yourself is by altering what you have and creative something totally new.
Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.
Why I included it: I included this instructional DVD because there seems to be a big DIY movement through teens and 20s. There are many websites the give tips and patterns on DIY projects, and a DVD is a great addition to any arts and crafts collection.