African Crafts: Fun Things to Make and Do from West Africa
by Lynne Garner
Published by Chicago Review Press
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Reviewed by Jamie Driggers
Most children love a good hand’s-on project, especially when that project produces something they can display proudly. In African Crafts: Fun Thing to Make and Do from West Africa, you get this and much more.
Author Lynne Garner traveled to West Africa to see how the crafts of the West African people fit into their everyday lives. She shares this culture with you as well as extra little side notes of interest. She then goes on to provide detailed instructions for children to re-create the craftsmanship at home and use it appropriately.
This is a great book for crafty children and probably their crafty parents. I want to go buy some clay to make a coiled pot and some fabric to try my hand at Adinkra block printing, too. The culture and the craft directions are accompanied by many full color photographs to give you a feeling for what the process entails.
I also really appreciate the history and culture shared in bite-sized pieces. Children will learn about another culture without feeling force-fed. It is really fascinating stuff! This book seems to be well made, and its binding sturdier than many I come across these days.
I give this book an A+ for craftsmanship.
Armchair Interviews agrees.