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Books published by publisher Quarry Books

  • Clay Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Make, Model, and Mold with Air-Dry, Polymer, and Homemade Clay

    Cassie Stephens

    Flexibound (Quarry Books, June 1, 2017)
    In Clay Lab for Kids, art teacher and winner of the Netflix bake-off show Nailed It! Cassie Stephens presents 52 hands-on projects made with kid-friendly clays that get kids working creatively and thinking three-dimensionally. Squishy, colorful, and infinitely shapable, clay just might be the most versatile art material for kids. Author-artist-teacher Cassie Stephens has created all-new clay projects for kids of all skill levels. Start with the basics of rolling, coiling, and pinching pots, and move up to making "Jurassic fossils," animal marionettes, monster magnets, and boxes with secret compartments. All of the projects use kid-friendly, no-kiln clay (air-dry, homemade, and polymer) and water-based paints, perfect for home and classroom, plus there's an entire chapter of recipes for mixing up inexpensive homemade clays in the kitchen. When creating with clay, kids are introduced to a wide range of cognitive and manual skills: they'll work three-dimensionally; make figurative models; use their imaginations in making jewelry and toys; design with color; and decorate with paints. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, bugs, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
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  • The Kitchen Pantry Scientist: Chemistry for Kids: Homemade Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Chemists, Past and Present

    Liz Lee Heinecke

    Paperback (Quarry Books, May 5, 2020)
    Replicate a chemical reaction similar to one Marie Curie used to purify radioactive elements! Distill perfume using a method created in ancient Mesopotamia by a woman named Tapputi! Aspiring chemists will discover these and more amazing role models and memorable experiments in Chemistry for Kids, the debut book of The Kitchen Pantry Scientist series. This engaging guide offers a series of snapshots of 25 scientists famous for their work with chemistry, from ancient history through today. Each lab tells the story of a scientist along with some background about the importance of their work, and a description of where it is still being used or reflected in today’s world. A step-by-step illustrated experiment paired with each story offers kids a hands-on opportunity for exploring concepts the scientists pursued, or are working on today. Experiments range from very simple projects using materials you probably already have on hand, to more complicated ones that may require a few inexpensive items you can purchase online. Just a few of the incredible people and scientific concepts you'll explore:Galen (b. 129 AD)Make soap from soap base, oil, and citrus peels. Modern application: medical disinfectantsJoseph Priestly (b. 1733)Carbonate a beverage using CO2 from yeast or baking soda and vinegar mixture. Modern application: soda fountainsAlessandra Volta (b. 1745)Make a battery using a series of lemons and use it to light an LED. Modern application: car batteryTu Youyou (b. 1930)Extract compounds from plants. Modern application: pharmaceuticals and cosmeticsPeople have been tinkering with chemistry for thousands of years. Whether out of curiosity or by necessity, Homo sapiens have long loved to play with fire: mixing and boiling concoctions to see what interesting, beautiful, and useful amalgamations they could create. Early humans ground pigments to create durable paint for cave walls, and over the next 70 thousand years or so as civilizations took hold around the globe, people learned to make better medicines and discovered how to extract, mix, and smelt metals for cooking vessels, weapons, and jewelry. Early chemists distilled perfume, made soap, and perfected natural inks and dyes.Modern chemistry was born around 250 years ago, when measurement, mathematics, and the scientific method were officially applied to experimentation. In 1896, after the first draft of the periodic table was published, scientists rushed to fill in the blanks. The elemental discoveries that followed gave scientists the tools to visualize the building blocks of matter for the first time in history, and they proceeded to deconstruct the atom. Since then, discovery has accelerated at an unprecedented rate. At times, modern chemistry and its creations have caused heartbreaking, unthinkable harm, but more often than not, it makes our lives better. With this fascinating, hands-on exploration of the history of chemistry, inspire the next generation of great scientists.
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  • STEAM Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Hands-On Projects for Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math

    Liz Lee Heinecke

    Flexibound (Quarry Books, May 15, 2018)
    STEAM Lab for Kids is an art-forward doorway to science, math, technology, and engineering through 52 family-friendly experiments and activities. While many aspiring artists don't necessarily identify with STEM subjects, and many young inventors don’t see the need for art, one is essential to the other. Revealing this connection and encouraging kids to explore it fills hungry minds with tools essential to problem solving and creative thinking. Each of the projects in this book is designed to demonstrate that the deeper you look into art, the more engineering and math you’ll find. "The STEAM Behind the Fun" sections throughout explain the science behind the art. Learn about:angular momentum by making tie-dyed fidget spinners.electrical conductors by making graphite circuits.kinetic energy by making a rubber band shooter.symmetry by making fruit and veggie stamps.much more!From graphite circuit comic books to edible stained glass, young engineers and artists alike will find inspiration aplenty. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
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  • How to Draw Almost Everything for Kids

    Naoko Sakamoto, Kamo

    Paperback (Quarry Books, July 3, 2018)
    From the best-selling Almost Everything series comes an edition on drawing made especially for kids. Practice makes perfect (and is fun too!) with tracing and easy steps to teach kids to draw almost everything under the sun. From soccer balls to panda bears and rainbows to racing cars, this book not only makes kids feel successful at drawing, but is fun for all ages. Rainy days, Sunday mornings, or after school—all kids will enjoy improving their drawing skills with this step-by-step approach. Each book in the Almost Everything series offers readers a fun, comprehensive, and charmingly illustrated visual directory of ideas to inspire skill building in their creative endeavors.
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  • Paint Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Painting and Mixed Media for Budding Artists of All Ages

    Stephanie Corfee

    Paperback (Quarry Books, Dec. 15, 2015)
    Paint Lab for Kids is an inspiring collection of 52 fresh, kid-friendly projects for nurturing an artistic spirit and a love of art through working and playing with paint. Popular artist and author Stephanie Corfee offers an exciting resource of easy-to-follow instructions supported throughout with step-by-step, full-color photographs for projects that teach techniques, stimulate new ideas, explore color, combine materialsin interesting ways, and encourage self-expression. Each project sequence includes a complete materials list, a finished sample, and the inspiring work of a noted artist. Have fun exploring:painting techniques by making folded paper insect monoprints.your imagination with a marbled paper galaxy painting.color with pencil eraser pointillism.mixed media art by embellishing a family photo mounted on canvas.This book is perfect for anyone who teaches or leads hands-on art experiences: creative, DIY-inspired parents, families, friends, homeschoolers, scouting, community, and youth group leaders. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
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  • Incredible Plant-Based Desserts: Colorful Vegan Cakes, Cookies, Tarts, and other Epic Delights

    Anthea Cheng

    Hardcover (Quarry Books, Oct. 15, 2019)
    In Incredible Plant-Based Desserts, Instagram star Anthea Cheng (@rainbownourishments) shares her trade-secret recipes for fun and showstopping vegan sweet treats that are seriously luscious, mouthwatering, and beautiful. Whether you are an eager home cook or a more experienced chef, Anthea shows you that sponge cakes can still be fluffy and moist and pastry can still melt in your mouth without animal-derived ingredients. Find playful, modern spins on classic desserts, such as fail-safe tiramisu trifles topped with caramelized popcorn or Snickers transformed into a multi-layered cake with peanut brittle. For when life gets busy, simplify with recipes like three-ingredient pancakes and fruit-filled muffins. If you want something indulgent, the Homer Simpson pink donuts, baklava custard tart, and chocolate brownie peanut butter sandwich cookies are for you. You'll also find wholesome choices like a berry chocolate mousse tart and cupcakes with rainbow cashew buttercream. Anthea has carefully selected ingredients to ensure you won't accumulate odd, once-used stuff in your pantry. And with plenty of options for people avoiding gluten, refined sugar, nuts, and other common allergens, no one misses out on the deliciousness. All of the recipes have been tested and approved by vegans and non-vegans alike. Accompanied by stunning photography, these recipes will bring some magic to your every day, dinner table, or special occasion.
  • Collage Workshop for Kids: Rip, snip, cut, and create with inspiration from The Eric Carle Museum

    Shannon Merenstein

    Paperback (Quarry Books, Oct. 30, 2018)
    Be inspired and delighted by Collage Workshop for Kids, a colorful art instruction book on collage techniques for children—made in cooperation with The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.Collage Workshop for Kids pairs essays by educators from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art with instructions on collage technique. Chapters explore favorite art themes for kids and demonstrate how to work with colored tissue paper, newspaper, fabric and buttons, painted paper, torn paper, and more. In each chapter, Reggio-inspired author and teacher Shannon Merenstein explores each technique with original ideas. Members of the museum's education staff offer expert advice on creating art with children. Everything you need to know about collage is in this book, making it a great reference for teachers, librarians, and parents.
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  • The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting

    Sarah Veblen

    Paperback (Quarry Books, Jan. 1, 2012)
    The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting is the ultimate reference for fitting test garments and transferring accurate adjustments to patterns. No matter what size or shape you are, wearing garments that fit perfectly makes you look and feel better. Rather than making commonly accepted changes to a commercial pattern, the method presented in this guide focuses on the way a test garment fits the body. The fabric is manipulated to improve the fit, and then those specific changes are made to the pattern. The result: patterns that fit perfectly!With The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting, you'll learn:The importance of a fitting axis and how to use it during a fittingHow to recognize fitting issues, such as drag lines and foldsHow to manipulate fabric to solve common and unusual fitting problemsHow to transfer the fitting changes to your pattern easilyBasic pattern-making skills to ensure accurate alterationsSee the fitting process from start to finish on basic garments, fitted on real people. Then follow fitting solutions on different body types. Hundreds of large color photos illustrate the techniques and concepts in simple step-by-step instructions. With these lessons, you will get the perfect fit for any body.
  • Animation Lab for Kids: Fun Projects for Visual Storytelling and Making Art Move - From cartooning and flip books to claymation and stop-motion movie making

    Laura Bellmont, Emily Brink

    Paperback (Quarry Books, Oct. 1, 2016)
    In Animation Lab for Kids, arts educators Laura Bellmont and Emily Brink of The Good School present exciting art projects that teach kids how to create engaging visuals and tell stories using a variety of animation techniques. You'll have fun with:A concise overview of the animation process, from conceptualizing, designing, and scripting a film to basic tools, supplies, and adding soundTraditional animation: zoetropes, flip books, and cel animationDownshoot animation: 2D art surfaces and characters come to lifeStraight-ahead animation: projects for hand-sewn and claymation puppets, sets, and riggingPixilation: the ins and outs of becoming your own stop-motion puppetInspiring examples from innovative and influential animators, such as Kirsten Lepore, Hayley Morris, PES, and Emily CollinsThe lessons require no previous experience for either child or adult. Animation Lab for Kids is a perfect way for parents, art teachers, home schoolers, after-school care providers, and community group leaders to guide and inspire creative kids to take their art projects to the next level with stop-motion movie making. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
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  • Play, Make, Create, A Process-Art Handbook: With over 40 Art Invitations for Kids * Creative Activities and Projects that Inspire Confidence, Creativity, and Connection

    Meri Cherry

    Flexibound (Quarry Books, June 11, 2019)
    Packed with joyful and educational art experiences for kids, Play, Make, Create offers fun and engaging imaginative activities focused on the fun and reward of creating, not just producing a final project. Founded in a process-based philosophy, this unique book includes more than 40 activities set up as invitations, or thoughtfully designed prompts to explore, create, and play. Author Meri Cherry has more than 20 years of teaching experience, and her blog (mericherry.com) has set the standard for meaningful and enriching process art experiences that are both manageable for parents, and appealing and fun for kids.Play, Make, Create begins with a guide for parents, teachers, and facilitators that discusses how to set up materials in an inviting way, how to present an activity and talk to kids about art, and how to stock the right materials for ongoing creativity. Also included are best-practice tips for clean-up, answers to frequently asked questions, and more. The book offers four types of creative invitations: Invitations to Explore (easy ideas for fun and play), Invitations to Create (open-ended, craft-based activities), Invitations to Play (sensory-based activities), and Big Projects (ongoing process-art activities). Most feature basic materials and tools (paper, inexpensive paints, pencils, glue) that require little setup. Among the projects and activities you’ll find: A collage project that takes a no-rules approach to creating with cut-out drawings and pictures.Ideas for building a science station that allow kids to experiment with kitchen cabinet supplies such as soap, measuring spoons, cotton balls, and baking soda.A prompt to draw a self-portrait, using a mirror (parents can draw themselves, too).Instructions for making homemade colored playdough. The activities in Play, Make, Create promote active, meaningful, and socially interactive learning. Children are encouraged to wonder, experiment, and use critical thinking—and most of all, enjoy the process. By following their own inclinations and making their own choices, children gain self-confidence and hone their problem-solving skills. Get Play, Make, Create and give children the gift of creativity!
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  • Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids: Family-Friendly Projects for Exploring and Teaching Math, Science, History, and Culture Through Creative Building

    John Miller, Chris Fornell Scott

    Flexibound (Quarry Books, June 1, 2016)
    Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids is a collection of creative, collaborative projects that connect in-game challenges with hands-on activities that are both fun and educational.An Amazon Best Kids’ Books of 2016 pick! Minecraft offers players an environment focused on exploration, imagination, and creation, but its nonlinear game structure can mean spending a lot of time in the game. With these labs, you can balance your child's screen time with real-life learning and interaction. You will start the book by brushing up on some common Minecraft language and examining each of the four game modes: survival, creative, adventure, and spectator. Then, you’ll use this knowledge to venture off onto the six different quests that encourage child and adult participation. For each Lab, complete the hands-on activity in art, craft, or design, then build a related in-game project. Have fun with these creative projects and more:Make a Chinese finger trap from construction paper, followed by a zombie trap in Minecraft.Build a castle from sugar cubes, then learn to build one in Minecraft.Create shadow puppets to perform a scene from your favorite story, then animate the scene using Minecraft.Make a bow and arrow from popsicle sticks, dental floss, and a cotton swab, then do some archery practice in Minecraft.Sticker badges at the back of the book reward your child as they complete each quest. You'll even learn how to screencast and narrate your own videos to share with family and friends. Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids provides fun, educational gaming goals that you and your child can reach together! The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
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  • Art Lab for Little Kids: 52 Playful Projects for Preschoolers

    Susan Schwake, Rainer Schwake

    Flexibound (Quarry Books, June 1, 2013)
    Packed with 52 fun and colorful exercises geared toward 3- to 6-year-olds, this book offers parents and teachers an outstanding source of creative art activities to inspire and enrich this wide-eyed and open-hearted age group. Activities are organized by medium and designed to encourage self-expression. Each Lab also features the work of a prominent artist for inspiration. Gorgeous photography shows different results from different people using the same lesson, exemplifying the way the lesson brings out each artist’s personal style. Have fun:drawing with food coloring–tinted ice cubes.painting using a sponge bottle washer and tempera paints.printmaking using balloons, lace, and potatoes to place ink.sculpting with tinfoil, paper mache, and paper tubes.creating mixed media art with fabric, wallpaper samples, and items from nature.Targeting one of the most critical developmental periods for children, Art Lab for Little Kids is the perfect book for both parents and teachers who are seeking enriching and unique experiences to offer this age group. This inspirational book stands out as a unique reference for creating fine art with children through finding the student’s own voice, marks, and style and with playful lessons that result in significant skill building. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
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