40 Knots to Know: Hitchs, Loops, Bends and Binding (Quick Starts for Kids!)

Provides step-by-step instructions for tying five basic knots plus a variety of more complex ones, including joining knots, bindings, coils, hitches, lashings, and more.

Grade 4-7-Scouts, campers, anglers, and sailors are just some of the people who will find this title useful. Introductory pages list and define types of knots and terminology, and a quiz helps readers decide what type of knot to use for specific kinds of tasks. The chapter on "Fab Five Knots" notes uses and provides directions for square, two half hitches, figure-eight, bowline, and sheet bend knots, one of which is likely to be appropriate for any situation in which a knot is needed. Practicing tying, even in the dark, is continually emphasized. The step-by-step directions and diagrams with directional arrows are helpful. Stetson's informal writing style sprinkled with comments about how and when she has used the knots will appeal to readers. The table of contents and index will guide those readers who already know the name of the knot they need; otherwise, it may take some digging to find what coil, bind, hitch, loop, or lash to use for a particular situation. All in all, a solid addition.
Michael McCullough, Byron-Bergen Middle School, Bergen, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 3-6. One of the few children's guides to knot tying, this large-format book clearly explains and illustrates how to tie basic and more advanced knots. After an introductory discussion of knot types and their uses, Stetson explains how to tie her "fab five" basic knots. The rest of the selections are grouped by their purposes: knots for coiling, shortening, ending, binding, bending, joining, looping, hitching, and lashing. A short description of the knot and its uses precedes each set of clear, step-by-step instructions. The mildly comical drawings give the pages child appeal; numerous line drawings clearly demonstrate each step in tying every knot. A practical, accessible handbook for young people who are campers, climbers, sailors, or scouts, not to mention adults who wish they could remember the right way to tie the trunk down. Carolyn Phelan
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