The Paper Playhouse: Awesome Art Projects for Kids Using Paper, Boxes, and Books Flexibound – January 1, 2015

A fabulous book for all kids, big and small! The inspiring projects use materials almost all of us have lying around the house which makes it perfect for those rainy days. My daughter has always loved digging through the recycle bin to make things but these projects add a tremendous amount of style to her ideas. The best part is these designs keep the kids entertained long after they’ve been made too. The well written instructions are easy to follow with lots of beautiful pictures of the process and finished pieces. I can see the whole family involved or several friends working together on these designs. One of the really nice treats to this book is the library of paper artists included in the back of the book. My daughter loved seeing what she could aspire to be when she grows up and I loved learning about artists I didn’t know about. Definitely make room on your shelf for this book!

I'm so excited...I just received my copy of "The Paper Playhouse"! As I quickly thumb through the pages, I can see that it's informative, creative and just plain fun. I love that the projects are unique and not the usual run of the mill craft stuff. In each chapter, the author, clearly explains the materials needed. Most are inexpensive things found around the house. The pictures that give step-by-step directions are so helpful. To me a picture is worth a thousand words and the pictures in this book are terrific. The kids look like they are having a blast!! This special book is a must for anyone who works with children, has children or like me, grandchildren.

“I’m bored …” If you are tired of hearing that complaint from your children/grandchildren, then “The Paper Playhouse: Awesome Art Projects for Kids Using Paper Boxes and Books” may be just the book you need. Katrina Rodabaugh has created a marvelous book of performance art and crafting ideas – using/reusing readily available materials - that will inspire you and your children/grandchildren.Following the introductory sections, “The Paper Playhouse” is divided into four project chapters; the book concludes with an eighteen page “Gallery: Artists as Inspiration” section. A chapter on paper (5 projects), one on using books (6 projects), and one using boxes (6 projects) to help clear those many Amazon boxes from your garage make up the different materials for the hands-on projects. The chapter addressing Performance and Public Art – subtitled “Taking Art to the Streets, Stages, and Lemonade Stands” – presents a variety of items (5 projects) to make and use to enhance performances.A brief narrative introduces each project. A page listing the materials needed to complete the project as well as a paragraph or two providing variations of the titled project follows. Next, step-by-step instructions - both written and pictorial - are presented. I particularly like this since many individuals can follow pictorials, but not written out instructions – no matter how detailed they are. Templates for a number of components of the projects are included at the end of the book. However and in order to be useful, many must be enlarged on a copier.The “Gallery: Artists as Inspiration” is filled with examples of projects that can be created using different media.“The Paper Playhouse: Awesome Art Projects for Kids Using Paper Boxes and Books” is a wonderful way to foster creativity and to allow children/grandchildren experience the joy of making something. Katrina Rodabaugh has provided clearly written, easy to follow, step-by-step directions for each project and has filled the book with a wide variety of project choices. On those days that rainy, cold and snowy, or just too hot to play outside, this book offers an excellent alternative to electronic toys or television viewing. A 5-star book and one I will be recommending.

This is a lovely book filled with 22 projects for kids all made with found paper and cardboard. The projects range from garlands and mobiles to mail art postcards and mini books to cabin playhouses made from large boxes and birdhouses made from small ones. This book will be a great source of fun not only on rainy and snowy days but summer days too. You’ll find plenty of things to keep the kids busy with and in most cases you won’t have to look further than the paper recycle bin for supplies. Project instructions are easy to understand and accompanied by clear well lit photographs to illustrate the steps involved. Little ones will need help and guidance for the projects but pre-teen and teens will have no problem reading and understanding the directions and working on their own.

This is a beautiful craft book with projects for kids that you can do with materials from around the house. Kids will definitely need some parental help on most of the projects. I would recommend the book for crafty moms who are looking for fun projects to do with their kids; it's not a book that you would give to a kid and then say, here, go do these crafts on your own. Also, nearly all the crafts are too complex to do in a group; I work as a children's librarian and hoped there would be crafts suitable for the library, but most are not practical for a group unless you have a 1:1 child to adult ratio.

This book is inspiring and beautifully photographed. The upcycling suggestions are incredibly practical and thoughtful. (In other words, find a way use what you have.) I like that there are clear indications of skill levels required. I can see art teachers and home schoolers having a great time using the ideas presented in this book. I believe it would take meticulously detailed effort to get identical results to the photographed projects, but that may be more daunting to me than most people. There are limitless possibilities for variation and imagination. And I think kids that aren't particularly interested in art would be challenged by these builds.

My son loves playing with recyclable materials and paper and I am always looking for new and easy projects for him to do. I love that this book offers creative ideas for paper-based projects that provide fun ideas for both genders. Many of them can also be used in imaginative play which is an added bonus. And they typically require supplies that you already have in your home. This will be a great Summer resource!