Craft+and+How+to+Books

What are craft and how to books and why are they important?
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Added by Helen Mastico Craft and how to books describe projects and/or techniques to achieve a particular result when creating. They range from simple cutting and sticking (Kids' Crafts: Paper Fantastic: 50 Creative Projects to Fold, Cut, Glue, Paint & Weave by Joe Rhatigan and Rain Newcomb) to complex folding and building (Paper Crafts for Day of the Dead by Randel McGhee). These two examples both make use of paper but the medium is not limited and includes anything you can use to create art.

This genre of book is important because it allows self expression without the limitations of having someone tell you what to do. If a child has an idea of what he or she wants to create, craft and how to books can show how it can be done. Being able to figure out how to do something for his or herself gives a child a sense of independence and competence. Using the how to books teaches the following of directions and the consequences of not doing so. Alternatively there may be certain supplies available and perusing the craft books might inspire creativity. The Recycled Craft Box by Laura C.Martin shows exactly what trash you can use to create, from soap lid maracas to fancy foil fish.

It may also be that a child has no intention of making anything, just looking at the pictures and knowing that it is possible can be inspiring in itself.