Summer has always been about trying new things for me. Here are a few books about getting out there and trying something new.
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Folding for Fun: Origami for ages 4 and up
Written by Didier Boursin
This book has all the basic origami with patterns for a box, a plane, and a boat. But there are also some that are different and fun to try outside. This book is advertised as for ages 4 and up, which is perfect for kindergarten or as an introduction book to origami for older kids. The number of steps ranges from 15 steps for the box to 4 steps for a noisemaker.
The large pictures and clear instructions are great for ELL’s to practice their directional vocabulary. Unlike a more complicated origami book, Boursin limits the number of symbols used to 7. Boursin also uses 4 types of folds throughout the book.
Order Folding for Fun: Origami for ages 4 and up from Bookshop Santa Cruz
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Asian Kites: Asian Arts and Crafts for Creative Kids
Written by Wayne Hosking
Kite flying is one hobby that cross cultures. There are different styles of kite making and it’s really amazing they are all made with a large sheet of paper (called the sail), thin wooden sticks (spars), glue and a long string (kite line). This book is a great introduction into kite making. Hosking has an extensive background into the different materials that kites can be of, and he also makes allowances for the casual hobbyist by describing inexpensive alternatives, as well as, other more expensive materials. Hosking has a great introduction that points out the strength and weakness of different materials, such as silkspan verses tissue paper.
The patterns in this book are organized into the region they originated. For example, there are kites from China, Malaysia, and Korea. The simple and clear instructions are partnered with pictures. There is also a clear list of tools and materials for each kite pattern.
Order Asian Kites: Asian Arts and Crafts for Creative Kids from Bookshop Santa Cruz