The Usborne Big Book of Holiday. Things to make and do.

In the tradition of all good Usborne books, you know, even before you open the cover, that this book is going to attractively set out with clear and concise information, and that you are going to pleasantly entertained, one way or the other. "The Usborne Big Book of Holiday Things to make and do" does not disapoint.
Not messing around, you dive straight from the title page to the first of many colorful pastel pages - the chapter index of all the marvelous arts and craft compiled within - Pirate treasure map pg 4, Collage fish pg 34, Painted plant pot pg 52, Mermaid Tiara pg 74….. the list of goes on - an even supply of classic gender favorites themes…. mermaids and pirates, fairies and farmyards etc,

You can tell that a lot of thought has gone into the planning of each of these activities. In fact because of the way each activity can be made fairly much on a shoestring, with lots of use of recycled and easily sourced materials, and seems to cater perfectly for young attention span's, you get the impression that the authors/creators of the this book may have had experience with teaching. You could just as easily see this being used as a teachers reference book for the class room, as you could a book for holiday or maybe children's party entertainment idea's. Each activity has been mapped out with clear precision - step by step by step, almost color by numbers. The odd's are high for a room of happy children having followed the formula, walking away with an piece of art, just like the one in the book.

As a child, this is just the sort of book that I would have picked up and had a go at. Being a bit of tomboy, I would have been equally as enticed to make the pirate sword as the fairy wings, and would have had a great time choosing what to do next. As an adult, I feel that this book offer's many great arts and craft skills and idea's and although quite prescribed, would allow for all levels of accomplishment, to achieve an artwork, while allowing those more adventurous, a great starting place, with clear instructions on techniques.

~ Reviewed by Aquilegia.