Another school year is soon coming to an end and I’ve gathered together some really terrific and unusual books that will be great for gifts and/or summer. These books (unless otherwise noted) are great for all ages.
This duo (who often work together) has another pop-up, Gods & Heroes, that covers the major areas of mythical gods from China, Egypt, Greece and Norway. As in all of their books, even the small corners on each page have multiple pages that also pop-out. If you could only own one pop-up book, any from these two engineers are a must!
Now for some really cool packaged and enlarged books. Alienology, by Allen Grey, is a field guide to galaxies far away as well as a study of aliens here. There are many lift-the-flaps, charts, a mirror, and much more in this scrapbook style book – along with puzzles to solve.
My Little Pink Princess Purse, by Stephen T. Johnson, is an interactive storybook with lift-up tabs, scratch-and-sniff perfumes, pull-out jewelry and tiara and much more. This book is great fun that is geared for ages four to eight.
Here are two books that teachers will love. Create a Story Kit: Legends of the Sea and Legends of the Sea, by John & Caitlin Matthews, are actually story cards that have colorful pictures that go along with the subject and on the back of each card is a list of suggestions to draw out your imagination and ignite creative storytelling.
Klutz publishers have many new books that beg to be enjoyed. Each of Klutz’s book packages show an item on the front of the book and then the book showcases how to build, play or create the featured item. I will list a few of these many new books. By the way, these types of books encourage children to learn how to follow directions in order to build their desired structure.
Friendship Pixies, by Karen Phillips, has all of the items needed to make little dolls.
The Marvelous Book of Magical Horses, by Eva Steele-Saccio, has 6 paper ponies and 2 fairies as well as punch-out items to create a haven for horses.
The Klutz Guide to the Galaxy, by Pat Murphy, delves into space with the help of locating parts of the moon and understanding meteors. There are many scientific items to assemble related to outer space.
The Solar Car Book will entice future mechanical engineers as you build an incredible car powered by the sun.
Safety Pin Bracelets, by Kaitlyn Nichols, has directions with making your own creative bracelets with all of the designs and materials provided.
The Klutz Book of Animation: Make Your Own Stop Motion Movies, by John Cassidy and Nicholas Berger, allows you to create your own animated videos with modeling clay, along with easy instructions of how to make stop-motion videos.
Chalk the Block: Add Humor to the Neighborhood, by Michael Sherman, includes four large pieces of chalk and a book full of fun and hilarious and interesting drawings that are easy to make.