PreS-Gr 6-- This is truly a comprehensive source book . It begins with art-and-craft supplies made from natural objects and materials, and ends with recycling and composting. It's all here: bark, twigs, pebbles, weeds, prints, plants, and feeders. There is nothing totally new, but the broad scope and organization of projects in related groups with step-by-step, single-page directions make the book a first purchase. Drawings are clear and relate well to the text. Carlson indicates the level of difficulty of each activity with a symbol, and uses a clock to indicate when more than one hour is needed to finish (most require less than an hour). The style is breezy and chatty, and includes occasional tidbits of interest related to the project being described. With its large format and large type, this is a very easy book to use. --Carole B. Kirkpatrick, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Ages 5-9. The latest addition to the rapidly growing Kids Can! series of activity books features more than 100 arts and crafts activities that use natural, recyclable, or reusable materials. Although the opening note to adults is rather excessive ("Every child becomes a nurturer when placed in a natural setting. Every child discovers an inner peace and hidden creativity . . ."), the accompanying safety precautions are exemplary. Given the small budgets often allocated for art supplies, teachers will especially appreciate the simple directions, accompanied by child-oriented drawings, for making pastes, glues, paints, clays, and doughs. Some of these projects are tried-and-true, such as pressed and dried leaves; others, such as homemade recycled paper and the compost holder, represent the modern green consciousness. Symbols indicating level of difficulty and time requirements are included. ~--Julie Corsaro