Summary: Children will love to follow Maisy the mouse as she crafts and makes beautiful pieces of art. The book has clear and concise instructions on how to complete each craft, with good illustrations to match.

Personal connection: I always loved crafting things, and this book had many fun and simple crafts for children to do.

Class use: Have students complete the art projects in the group and explore their own creativity. ( )

I've looked at a lot of craft books for preschoolers, but they're always directed towards adults. This is the first one - the first really excellent one - that speaks directly to small children and their delight in making things.

A brief note from Lucy Cousins reminds grown-ups to use safe materials and that it's ok to change the crafts a little and then the crafts begin. There are simple instructions to make a beaded butterfly, cardboard house, painted tree, seed collage, vegetable prints, pencil holder, painted rocks, mask, paper lanterns, tissue paper flowers, vegetable people, clay bowl, pasta necklace, crown, wax painting, collage tiger, and finally decorating cookies.

Each craft has a list of supplies and simple instructions in large, clear text. Brightly colored paintings and photography show the creations and Maisy's cheerful enthusiasm in creating them. A final spread has a picture of each craft. There aren't detailed pictures of how to create the projects, but these are so simple it's really not needed. It's easy to see from the picture and instructions how to do the project.

Verdict: This will be a favorite not only with preschoolers but also up to second grade, with children who want to do crafts all on their own. The projects are simple and easily duplicated and changed depending on the materials at hand and the child's imagination. Highly recommended, this will fill a gap in many collections.

ISBN: 9780763661229; Published 2012 by Candlewick; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Added to my order wishlist