Making Moving Toys: 30 Quick and Easy Projects to Make

Explains how to make moving toys using a variety of materials and techniques, including papier mache, origami, wood, and clay, and provides step-by-step directions

Large type, simple directions, and color photographs appearing on every page mark this attractively formatted book. Readers are encouraged by way of easy-to-follow text to try their hand at any craft, and in this case, toys--30 of them to be exact, most of which evoke childhood memories. The materials of choice are heavy cardboard or paper, wood, or papier mache. The selections are varied--paper airplanes, spinning tops, windmills, and an elaborate carousel, among others. Templates appended. Barbara Jacobs

Motion and performance are the emphasis in these three books. Currell, the author of several books on puppets (e.g., The Compete Book of Puppet Theatre), presents a detailed manual with line drawings and photographs for constructing and staging several types of two- and three-dimensional puppets to be used by children or adults. Some of the moving toys in the Howes's book, such as jumping figures and bobbing birds, are constructed much like puppets, but this book also includes carousels, pinwheels, and a very clever little theater with magnetic characters. Maskwork combines historical information about ethnic masks that children can make for their own performances, with performance and staging tips included. All three books would be welcome in general crafts collections. The Currell and Foreman books are also suitable for theater collections.
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