The Family Book: Amazing Things To Do Together (Best at Everything) - Hardcover

Grade 4–7—Think of this as a one-stop guide for all types of activities, from practical jokes to magic, and what to do in an emergency. This broad compilation includes enough ideas and directions to keep kids and families occupied and interacting. Pranks like how to short sheet a bed, games, puzzles, advice, and mathematical wonders are all included. Unlikely ideas like how to convince your neighbors that you are royalty or perhaps vampires may not be advisable or even successful, but the idea of play-acting comes across. Green ideas like making toys from junk or creating compost are worthwhile, and safety tips such as how to build a shelter in the forest are more practical than others, such as how to wash a dog in space. Despite the juxtaposition of likely and unlikely activities, there is enough here to keep readers interested. Simple black line drawings clarify the directions and suggest possible reactions. The characterizations result in a 1950s look and feel. Whether this is for kids or adults or both begs the question. There is something for everyone easily discovered via the zippy titles or humorous images that accompany the one- to three-page explanations. Text is simple and descriptive although the arithmetic might take a bit of effort.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library
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