Steven Caney's Kids' America

Rating:
Summary: I'm so glad this book is still around!!
Review: Like other reviewers, I received this book as a child and pored over every page (and did most of the projects) a hundred times! I'm now in my mid-thirties and will be introducing my kids to this classic. Every page was clearly and simply illustrated, the instructions were easy to follow, and it was just a whole lot of fun. Most of all, it stoked a curiosity and a thirst for this kind of hands-on learning. This is truly an essential title, even (or maybe especially) for people who do not have children of their own - you can be a super-cool aunt/uncle/grandparent/neighbor if you whip this one out and get a fun project started. And don't let the suggested age range fool you - I remember completely loving this book long past eight years old.

Rating:
Summary: Fun You Remember
Review: My daughter loved the crafts in this book as a fourth grader. Later she used the rope making project for a college speech class demonstration. One of her classmates stopped her after class and asked Sherri to make a rope for her. Next week I'll be using the same craft for MY college speech class demonstration.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome for elementary school aged kids
Review: Someone gave me this book when I was 8 (I am now 33) and I can remember very well all the cool things it offers. It shows kids how to make those puffy hats the ladies wore in the 1700's (I really liked that), it has sections on handwriting analysis and palmistry and TONS of other really interesting, unique activities for kids. This book begins with the premise that kids are intelligent and do not need to be wowed by a bunch of commercial nonsense to be entertained. I recommend it VERY highly -- your kids will take parts of "Kids' America" with them for the rest of their lives.