Step by step: how-to.(children's books)

Following instructions is a basic life skill. One of the ways we can encourage children to hone this ability is to offer them an array of attractive, clearly written how-to books that speak to their needs and interests. The child who is rewarded by applause for having performed a successful magic trick, or who has the satisfaction of producing a graceful crane using origami techniques, has learned an important lesson. The series that follow teach that lesson in their coverage of an eclectic range of subjects.

ALEXANDER, Chris. Difficult Origami. ISBN 978-1-4296-2022-2. LC 2007052196.

--. Sort-of-Difficult Origami. ISBN 978-1-4296-2023-9. LC 2007052208.

MEINKING, Mary. Easy Origami. ISBN 978-1-4296-2020-8. LC 2008001677.

--. Not-Quite-So-Easy Origami. ISBN 978-1-4296-2021-5. LC 2008001679.

ea vol: 32p. (Origami Series). diags. photos. further reading, glossary, index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone/Snap Bks. 2008. PLB $25.26.

Gr 2-6--Children will be delighted by these colorful books. While each book perforce must contain some of the same information in terms of the basic folds, materials, etc., an effort is made to vary what is included in the "fun facts, glossary, and "read more" sections with little duplication. Easy includes such projects as the simple seven-step paper cup, while Difficult has a 35-step frog. Some of the projects are purely decorative, while others have practical application, such as bookmarks, envelopes, and boxes. All of them have clearly illustrated diagrams and attractive photos of the completed projects using different colors and textures of paper. In order to experience success, readers should use the books in order.

ALL ABOUT DRAWING DINOSAURS & REPTILES. illus. by Diana Fisher and Jeff Shelly. ISBN 978-1-60058-579-1.

ALL ABOUT DRAWING HORSES PETS. illus. by Russell Farrell and Peter Mueller. ISBN 978-1-60058-580-7.

ALL ABOUT DRAWING SEA CREATURES & ANIMALS. illus. by Russell Farrell and Diana Fisher. ISBN 978-1-60058-581-4.

ea vol: 80p. (All About Drawing Series). diags. illus. photos. glossary. CIP. Walter Foster. Nov. 2008. pap. $9.95. LC number unavailable.

Gr 2-5--These titles feature brief introductory material covering the use of basic shapes as a starting point for drawing, as well as coloring tips. The text is the same in these sections from book to book, but the accompanying illustrations are specific to the subject at hand. The books proceed with easily followed, step-by-step instructions for sketching approximately 40 different creatures. Each page also includes crisp photographs of the animals (with the exception of …