How Crafty Are They?

The promise of craft books is wholesome fun. The premise of these books is that they come with all that your kids need (no glue sticks). Do they deliver?

Mermaid's Palace (Chicken Socks, $14.95). Make a mermaid's home, furnish it with the punch-out bed and sea creatures, then accessorize your mermaid with shells and pearls. A little too fiddly for kids under about 7, and clean-up's a cow, but pretty engrossing. B-

Flip Books (Klutz, $14.95). The template for a cute little flip book is provided. Young Spielbergs draw in a few details, clip it together, et voilĂ ! This is that rare craft book that boys 10 and older will enjoy. Parental intervention is needed for ripping the pages (careful!), but that's all. B

Short Stuffs (Chicken Socks, $16.95). Even...

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