Christmas Fairies (Christmas Fairy Things to Make and Do - Rebecca Gilpin)

Member Name: tb4ms

Product:	Christmas Fairy Things to Make and Do - Rebecca Gilpin
Date:	06/12/07 (747 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Creative seasonal activities

Disadvantages: Quite a lot of adult input / help needed

- Introduction -

I am quite a fan of Usborne Activities books relating to things to 'make and do' that I have bought for my niece who is a huge fan of everything to do with princesses, fairies, ballerinas etc.
I also tried this out in a lunch time art / craft club I 'run' for Year 3 children, age 7 - 8 year olds. It has to be said that this has been popular and without sounding totally un-pc... it has only been used by the girls!

- The book -

At the beginning of the book there is a Contents page which is very easy to use.
As with the majority of books in this series, there are 17 things to make, which I have listed below:

~ Snowflake fairies
~ Glittery star chains
~ Fairy tree decorations
~ Holly fairy collage
~ Spangly star wand
~ Ice Fairies
~ Fairy lantern decorations
~ Glittery fairy bookmark
~ Sparkly decorations
~ Christmas fairy wings
~ Fairy castle Advent calendar
~ Tree-top fairy
~ Mini fairy garland
~ Painted snow fairy card
~ Fairy crown
~ Sparkly hanging hearts
~ Pretty boxes

In the centre of the book there is a double page spread of topic related stickers (150 stickers) that can are easily peeled off and either used on the 'makes' for the things in this book or just generally stuck on anywhere and quite honestly anything!

- Format -

Most of the craft activities take up a double page spread.
There are drawings and some photos of the finished item which in my experience looks a whole lot neater than the ones a 3-5 year old can make but it gives a great idea to the child and more importantly the not-so arty adult, as to what it should look like!

I really think that it would be better if Usborne included photos of perhaps more child-like representations of the finished product.
Each activity is very simply explained in step-by-step, numbered sections with an accompanying drawing of most of the stages, which I found to be really useful for both of us.

- Resources that you will need -

Anyone with children in the house will already have many of the resources needed to make the fairies and mermaids and if you don't the items listed don't cost too much money:

~ coloured paper and card
~ scissors
~ glue
~ glitter
~ thread or very, very thin tinsel
~ sequins and beads
~ tissue paper
~ straws
~ paintbrush
~ paint
~ kitchen foil
~ pens and pencils
~ shiny, metallic paper
~ tape
~ plain gift boxes of different shapes

- Our thoughts on the book and activities -

Adult help is dependent upon the age of the child. Up to approximately 7 and I still help with the more 'fiddly' aspects of making some of the things although the vast majority of the crafty bits and bobs can and indeed should be done by the child.
I have been a fan of Usborne activity books for many years as they often offer new and exciting art and craft activities for the not so arty adults like me.

The step by step guide of what to make and how to make it is helpful but the drawings although initially look quite child-like and simple aren't that easy for children under the age of 6, to copy from and are quite obviously done by adults.

Saying that, my niece has had lots of pleasure in making many of the simpler craft ideas. But it has to be said that her favourite section has been the stickers which she has used on a number of her individual masterpieces!!

The book gives helpful little tips on how to extend or vary your artwork, e.g.
~ glittery star chains - you could decorate your stars with beads, sequins or glitter glue.
~ Painted snow fairy card - try painting the fairies with their wands and arms in different postions.

- Using this with a group of children -

As stated at the beginning of the review, I have also used the ideas in this book with a large group of children.
It has to be said that although the results have impressed the 'creators', it is extremely adult intensive.

The 7 - 8 year olds who chose some of the activities coped quite well and understandably needed less help than my younger niece but some of the activities which are still on-going, such as the 'Holly fairy collage' look nothing like the intricate pictures shown in the book.

The 'Ice Fairies' worked well as I had pre-cut the necessary pieces of card before the art club.

- Price -

My paperback, ISBN: 978074606234 -0 was £4.99.
However on Amazon they are available from just 83p just in to account P&P charges.

- Usborne 'Make and Do' Activity Books -

Usborne have a range of this type of activity books available as well as 'How to Draw' books.

I have listed some of the Usborne 'Make and Do' activity books:

~ 50 Christmas Things to make and do
~ Big book of Christmas Things to make and do
~ 50 Science Things to make and do
~ Sparkly Things to make and do
~ 365 Things to make and do
~ Princess Things to make and do
~ 50 Fairy Things to make and do
~ Pirate Things to make and do
~ Summer Things to make and do
~ Monster Things to make and do

- Final Thoughts -

Most Usborne Activities books are a great buy for any adult who is looking for inspiration in fun arts and crafts activities to undertake with children below the age of 8.

This is a lovely book for any child who is mad fairies and all things sparkly Despite the little gripe I mentioned earlier in the review, it would make a lovely gift for a 5-8 year old if you don't want to break the bank!

Summary: Another popular book, from Usborne, given the bright illustrations etc.