Crafts from the Past: The Aztecs
Crafts from the Past: The Egyptians
by Gillian Chapman (HarperFestival)

Craft-crazy kids know that all but the true masterpieces are quickly retired to attics and basements. These great-looking books are packed with projects that deserve a spotlit pedestal or a museum case...or at least a place of honor on the family fridge. When it came to crafts, the Aztecs didn't mess around. Families of experts kept craft-making secrets for generations. Now, with The Aztecs, you can learn the pros' secrets of working with feathers, stamps, and mosaics. Master Aztec picture writing for a comic book with an ancient twist. The real turquoise serpent may hang in a museum, but yours will merit a spot in the hallway. It has three hooks for keys! Parents won't let you get a pet? Your home-made toy dog (with wheels!) won't need to be housebroken. Fill your room with bookends, boxes, bowls, and bags inspired by the Aztecs. With The Egyptians, learn to write your name in hieroglyphics with your own reed pen. Make a whole set of nesting mummy dolls. Leave your mark with your own scarab seal. Learn to play Senet, King Tut's favorite game, on your own colorful game board. Show up for dinner in a necklace worthy of Cleopatra herself. Once you've got these projects under you're belt, you'll be walking like an Egyptian for sure. Ages 8 and up.--Elizabeth J. Himelfarb

Earth Maker's Lodge
edited by Barrie Kavasch (Cobblestone Publishing)

Photo by Richard Bowditch

Open Earth Maker's Lodge to any page for hours of rainy-day fun and a lifetime supply of nap-time stories. Or journey cover to cover, exploring Native American cultures. Dreamy black-and-white drawings illustrate history and legend, arts, and crafts. Many of these fun, simple projects--from making dream catchers to drum-building, from puzzle solving to corn-drink concocting--won't even require a trip to the art-supply store. Ages 8 and up--Elizabeth J. Himelfarb

Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World
by MaryAnn F. Kohl, Jean Potter (Gryphon House, Inc.)

Did you ever rack your brain wondering what in the world to bring for show and tell? Well, those days are over, and you're about to become the star of the class! In this book, you'll find crafts projects from around the world like beeswax sculptures from Germany, batik cloth from Indonesia, and an apple face doll from right here in America! Your teacher will be pretty impressed with your skill and international know-how. It sure beats bringing in your brother's collection of funny-looking lima beans...again. This book has a handy index, so you can find projects by country (great if you're doing a country report for school), by craft (super if you absolutely must have a Korean crown right away), and by material (perfect if you've got a wad of felt lying around and don't know what to do with it.) Ages 7 and up.--Elizabeth J. Himelfarb

The Kids' Multicultural Art Book
by Alexandra M. Terzian (Williamson Publishing Company)

Crafty kids won't want to miss The Kids' Multicultural Art Book. Here, from a pie plate is born a Mexican tin rooster. Turn a poster board and aluminum foil into an African wodaabe mirror pouch. When your sheet becomes a Korhogo mud cloth, you'll learn that the Korhogo of the Ivory Coast paint with mud "that has been collected, placed in a clay pot, covered with water, and left to sit for a year!" All ages.--Elizabeth J. Himelfarb

The Kids' Multicultural Cookbook
by Deanna F. Cook (Williamson Publishing Company)

Photo by Richard Bowditch

What's cookin' in Australia, Panama, and Syria? You'll find out in The Kids' Multicultural Cookbook, which is full of recipes and projects from around the world for your gourmet-in-training. Find fun cultural clues like, "English kids eat Marmite (a salty, brown spread) sandwiches as often as American kids eat peanut butter and jelly." Learn how you can throw a Chinese birthday party or be the first on the block with a Caribbean lemonade stand. All ages.--Elizabeth J. Himelfarb

Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide
by Nancy I. Sanders (Chicago Review Press)

Walk a mile in the sandals of the men and women of the Bible...or, better yet, in their turbans, breastplates, and anklets. When you've reached your destination, be sure to wash your feet: it's good manners, after all! Follow the Good Book's major players from the city of Ur into the desert. Pitch a tent, sleep on a mat (all you need are two towels and some stuffing), dine on lentil stew and crunchy locust biscuits (recipes included). Generations pass, and the Jews are enslaved in Egypt, making bricks of mud and straw. Feel their pain as you toil in a wading pool making your own bricks. When at last Moses leads the Jews out of slavery and into Canaan, they have a lot of conquering to do. Your armored vest will keep you out of danger as you fight for your new homeland. Ages 5 and up.--Elizabeth J. Himelfarb