The jumbo book of outdoor art

Review by Booklist Review

A natural choice for children who love arts and crafts as well as for teachers and camp leaders who want to inspire a love of arts and crafts, this book presents dozens of creative projects inspired by nature. The large pages offer plenty of space for illustrations as well as step-by-step directions for completing each project. Stand-outs include a weathervane and a molded-ice chandelier (a mobilelike "sparkling temporary ice installation"). Unlike most books featuring crafts projects, this volume also offers ideas for young artists, such as the "Sky Series," which demonstrates how to paint clouds, a sunset, a stormy sky, and the night sky. The colorful illustrations include many ink-and-wash drawings as well as photos of materials and finished projects. With a breezy tone and practical, easy-to-follow directions, this is a good source for outdoor art ideas and instructions.--"Phelan, Carolyn" Copyright 2007 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-6-An attractive, colorful compilation of art projects. Four major sections ("Digging Deep," "Going Green," "It's All Elemental," and "Fertile Ground") each contain more than a dozen activities and/or experiments. Good-quality illustrations and photos bring these ideas to life. An introduction discusses how to start a nature collection; respecting the environment; trying new tools, techniques, and materials; staying safe; and having fun. Most of the projects can be completed in 5 to 12 steps with materials either purchased at an art-supply or novelty store, or found outside. Topics include marbling, frozen patterned paper, flower prints, bubble painting, rock research, and ancient art. Children will polish their creative skills with a wide variety of artistic experiences, such as a secret garden, silly sprouts, terrific topiaries, beautiful batik, super spider's web, weathervanes, great flowing fountain, sparkling ice chandeliers, and more.-Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

On the premise that anything can be art, and art is anything, the author invites young enthusiasts to combine art materials and natural objects in 57 projects for the backyard, beach and park. Camp counselors may find inspiration for inexpensive nature projects, but home users will find the directions sketchy and the clean-up problematic. Some projects could cause sticky consequences; for example the "sculpting experiment," in which white glue, water and sand are mixed so the artist can sculpt castles that harden and last. Nothing is said about how to deal with glue-hardened sand on hands, clothes, countertops or utensils. Other projects include weaving with twigs, making a junk fountain, pressing leaves, creating dye from plants and sketching or photographing decaying vegetables. The brief text is embellished with many muddy photos and drawings. The afterword indicates that the projects are an outgrowth of the Avenue Roads Art School in Toronto, a place "where everyone becomes an artistic adventurer." A glossary of art terms and an index are provided. A minor effort. (Nonfiction. 9-12) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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