Animals
Animal Close-ups by Barbara Taylor is a new series from Oxford, aimed at four-to seven-year-olds, which has been produced with the Natural History Museum. There are four books in the series: Insects and other minibeasts; Fish and other sea creatures; Monkeys and apes and their relatives and Frogs and snakes and their relatives. Each book gives large photographic detail from spectacular pictures taken by Natural History Museum photographers, and the information is provided in 'bite-size' pieces, with an index and page of 'important words' at the back to make it easy to dip in to. Each paperback measures 210mm square and is 24 pages long, priced 4.99.
* Telephone 01536 741519
Aimed at slightly older children - the eight-plus age group - and also new from Oxford, Journey into Africa is a larger format book which takes the form of a safari. The author, Tim Knight, has worked on nature conservation projects in East and Southern Africa and accompanied youth expeditions to the region. The author's lectures, photographs and sketches have also helped raise money for the benefit of African wildlife.The first double-page spread looks at the equipment required for the 'long and difficult journey' (a literal translation of the Swahili word 'safari') and there is also a guide to the route. Throughout the book, large photographs are used with 'keyhole' close-ups layered on to show the animals in detail. Each double page spread deals with a separate aspect of the safari and there is an extensive glossary at the back of the book, making it easy to pick up where you left off and ideal for browsing. Other 'journey' books in this series are Desert, Rainforest and Stars. Priced 7.99 each.
* Telephone as before
Dinosaurs never wane in popularity and with Dinomania by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom you can combine the dipping and picking at facts with some after-school activities. The 'You will need' lists attached to each activity spread are, thankfully, short and undemanding. For the 'Journey through Time', for example, a roll of plain wall paper, paints and crayons, glue, a photo of the children and a dinosaur magazine or comic (optional) are the order of the day. Other 'makes' include a dinosaur park, a moonlit forest, a nesting colony and a pterosaur mobile. The suggestions for 'Dinosaur Dressing Up' may also prove popular and, again, the required materials are minimal. The book is illustrated throughout in a very simple, appealing style and informative snippets are crammed in in an almost surreptitious fashion, which should appeal to young readers and slightly older children alike. Published by Franklin Watts in hardback, priced 9.99.
* Telephone 020 7739 2929
History
What A Viking, by award-winning author and illustrator Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom, conveys a sense of a Viking's lifestyle and adventures through the first person narration of 'little Bjorn'. Bjorn's tale is told in a very irreverent and upbeat 'even Vikings have to go to the toilet'
kind of way, and the solid information that comes with the tale is provided through lots of annotated illustrations, including some unlikely excavated finds from a Viking toilet. There is a 'Helpful words' spread at the back of this book which is hardback and priced 10.99 from Franklin Watts.
Also from Franklin Watts but in softback, The Egyptians forms part of a seven-book series on historical periods which combines facts with relevant craft activities. In this book pages of facts on, for example, The Land of the Pharoahs, provide straightforward maps and illustrations and are placed adjacent to a separate, but connected, activity like how to 'Make a Water Clock'. Other appealing activities include making 'a scarab stamp seal, making a fish charm and making a coffin, templates for which are provided. A section on clothes and cosmetics leads on to instructions for making an Egyptian wig and there are also step-by-step illustrated directions for making an Egyptian collar, so Friday could become 'Walk Like an Egyptian' day in your after-school club. Other titles in this series are The Greeks; The Romans; The Vikings; The Tudors; The Victorians and World War II, priced 5.99 each.
* Telephone as before.
Crafts
Making something, other than a fuss, after school can be both soothing and creative and 'craft books' can often provide the inspiration that's needed for you and the children.
Steve and Megumi Biddle have written three themed origami books for children. Underwater Origami contains step-by-step instructions for 18 different origami creations which vary in their complexity, but are usually reached via an average of 12 steps. Most of the work is done by folding and creasing the paper but a stick of glue, pencil, ruler, scissors and felt tips also come into play at some point. Specific requirements are given at the start of each set of instructions and 25 'tear-off' sheets of origami paper in a variety of colours are included at the back of the book. Some of the simpler creatures, like coral, could be tackled by fairly young children with supervision and reading help, while the more complicated constructions, like the diver which has no fewer than 37 steps, will provide a challenge for older children. It is advisable to purchase more paper from an art shop before you plunge in, especially if you are keen to involve everyone in creating a complete underwater world. Also available are Origami Safari and Origami Monsters, priced 4.99 each, published by Red Fox.
* Telephone 020 8231 6800
Amazing Mosaics by Sarah Kelly contains a dozen different mosaics for children to make and these progress in difficulty through from the beginning to end of the book. Each 'project' also uses a different technique and materials so that if you manage to work your way through systematically, you will have learnt how to use shells, buttons, card, ripped paper and plastic, among other things. Among the mosaics to make are a fish mobile, a jungle box, a picture frame and bookmarks, so these craft sessions could also be used to prepare presents for special events and/or parents. As well as the straightforward, step-by-step instructions and the 'you will need' lists there are also 'helpful tips' and information boxes scattered throughout, so that when you make a 'crazy paving crab' you will realise that you are working in a style 'very similar to the way in which the Spanish artist and architect Antoni Gaudi worked'. Published by Red Fox and available in softback, priced 4.99.
* Telephone as before
Magic
Children who cannot be enticed to try a new craft or dip into dinosaur books may find the idea of learning some magic tricks more appealing. Simply Magic by Dominic Wood (Red Fox, 4.99) demonstrates 24 tricks to learn and perform and, thankfully, no white rabbits are required! The 'what you need' boxes stipulate nothing more difficult to obtain than an empty matchbox or a pack of cards. It would be a good idea to read through the book first to ensure the basic requirements are to hand and then you should encourage the book to be pored over by a pair of readers, as many of the tricks require an able assistant. Each trick is broken down into easy-to-follow stages and photographically illustrated by a multi-ethnic band of would-be magicians. A good choice for tired children at the end of the week, especially if you can learn a couple of tricks yourself before the session starts - there is a section on 'putting on a magic show' at the end of the book and it includes 'how to handle your audience' - abracadabra!
* Telephone 0207 840 8400
