Books published by publisher Lark Books,U.S.

These are among the most innovative, outstanding quilts being designed today--chosen to appear in the 2001 Quilt National Biennial Exhibition--and a source of new ideas, interest, and excitement for quilt makers, collectors, and enthusiasts alike. Since its inception 22 years ago, the Quilt National exhibit continues to be a showcase for contemporary artists who expand the boundaries of traditional quilt making, creating designs meant for display on walls rather than as covers for beds. It sets the standards and serves as the model for all other art quilt shows. Through the large, spectacular color photographs here, as well as the artists' descriptions of the motivations behind their works, you can enjoy and refer to these quilts as often as you like at home. These designs are wonderful reflections of where quilting has been--and where it's going.

Explore planet Earth--while having tons of fun! More than 50 cool projects, along with illustrations and sidebars for parents, will take youngsters on a trip from their very own rooms to the wide world beyond. Go on a treasure hunt throughout the house and see where your favorite things came from (and try not to be jealous of the places they've been). Trace your family tree as far back as you can to find out everyone's nationalities--and then "publish" your results on a batik banner. Carry on an ancient tradition by making a classic clay bowl. Rat-a-tat-tat: Can you hear the rhythm? Sure you can, because drums are the universal sound of music. Make one out of cardboard and bang a beat. Treat your taste buds to Chinese Five-Spice Popcorn, French Pain au Chocolat (that's chocolate bread to you!), Nigerian Fruit Salad, and German Pretzels. Take a citizenship quiz, watch your world manners, and discover how people from other lands hear animal sounds. For parents there are informative sidebars, with fun facts and activities that will help you answer all those questions the kids are sure to ask.and you might not know the answers to. While children are enjoying themselves, they'll learn firsthand how the things they do can make a real difference to our planet!

Which will be your favorite--the Ultimate Peppermint Patty? Even kids who have never baked before will rush to the kitchen to try out these awesome cookies. It's easy: all the basics that ensure success are in this lie-flat, spiral-bound cookbook. Children can choose Wild & Crazy Cookies (amazing-looking cookies that are fun to build and decorate); Chunky, Chewy, Yummy Cookies (classic recipes with delicious and surprising variations); and Cool, Cool Refrigerator Cookies. Mouth-watering color photos showcase treats that look almost too good too eat, including "stained glass" stars for a special birthday party. And kids will really get a kick out of the holiday treats, like flesh-eating spiders for Halloween, and a "pizza pie" for a gang of friends to cook up together.

He’s wagging his tail, fetching the Frisbee, and eager to get petted—in short, Fido’s living up to his title as “man’s best friend.” But the domesticated dog’s got a special secret: in many ways, he’s really a lot like a wolf. Using amazing close-up images she shot inside a real wolf lair, as well as museum-quality historical pictures and illustrations, award-winning author and photographer Jenni Bidner compares the pet pup with his wild ancestor. Why did dogs become dogs and wolves stay wolves? Should you ever have a wolf in the house—or a hybrid? And exactly why do dogs like to lick your face? Along the way, Bidner debunks popular myths about wolves and provides a true and fascinating look at their behavior.In addition to being an accomplished photographer and award-winning author of over a dozen books—including The Kids' Guide to Digital Photography and Dog Heroes—Jenni Bidner is a canine (K9) handler with Illinois-Wisconsin Search & Rescue Dogs. This nonprofit organization assists police and fire departments in locating lost and missing people.

Melt-and-pour soapmaking is the perfect easy and safe craft for kids, and this is the ideal guide to teach them how to do it. All the basics are covered to ensure "sud-sational" success, and 56 fun projects and nearly 300 colorful photos add to the appeal. The fun begins with choosing a soap base and selecting molds, from 3-D seashells and eggs to sandbox toys. Add fragrance, color, or other pizzazzy extras, such as pearlescent powder, shimmery cosmetic grade glitter, crushed dried flower petals, or herbs. Children will have a blast getting wacky with gross-out eyeball soaps, making soap popsicles complete with a wooden stick, getting happy with smiley faces, fashioning a soapasaurus, or cooking up "alphabet soap." Great gift ideas include a Best Friend Soap Bracelet or clear bar with a photo embedded for Grandma. Plus, there are cool soap facts throughout.

Kids absolutely love everything nasty and disgusting; it’s especially fun when their enthusiasm for the “ick factor” drives parents, teachers, and any adult in sight to distraction. Now youngsters can indulge their lust for the foul with 50 wonderfully repulsive projects (illustrated in color for that extra pow). The repellent journey starts with the stinky, scaly, slimy side of the human body; children meet the critters that live under the skin and fingernails, learn what causes those embarrassing sounds and smells, and make (very convincing) fake blood to throw Mom into a panic. They’ll cook up impressively scary gangrene fingers from marzipan; whip up “booger bath,” and grow a gross mold garden. To end this salute to the truly nauseating: a special “You’re Gross and You’re Proud!” celebration.

"[An] attractive book...30 clever projects will appeal to both boys and girls....A great resource."--School Library JournalPliable, colorful, and bake-in-the-oven polymer clay is the perfect material for youngsters. With this terrific just-for-kids manual from a renowned polymer clay artist, children can get their creative juices flowing. A comprehensive basics section covers everything from rolling, cutting and sculpting to mixing new colors and creating textures. Kids will really love the cool tricks, too, including marbling and embedding objects.

GOOOOAAAALLL! Score one for David Diehl, in his newest colorful and conceptual sports book for toddlers. Diehl celebrates the world’s most popular game, putting a bright spotlight on a single soccer-related word on every page. Striking graphic designs in dazzling hues convey all the excitement of a “goalkeeper” making a “save”; the referee issuing a “yellow card” to a misbehaving player; the suspense of a “free kick”; or the home team finally getting a beautifully completed “goal.” All of Diehl’s illustrations are intensely, brilliantly active, and kids will love it—because it’s never too soon to get ready for this electrifying game.

In order to win at the science fair, go to the experts: these blue-ribbon science experiments are based on those from real students, and they're smart, imaginative, fun to do, and sure to be a hit with the judges! Youngsters will find over 50 exciting and challenging choices in all the major categories. Using easily found materials, they'll test such things as whether people who play video games have a different reaction time than those who don't, or if sound travels better underwater than through air. Easier projects come first, more difficult ones after, and many include a section called "Take a Closer Look" with research suggestions and additional information.

Every child who performs these 50 fabulous feats will feel like a magician—but the magic here is really science at play. Every trick in the book has a sound, easy-to-understand scientific explanation that will stimulate kids’ understanding of basic concepts. Even as they’re having fun, children will wow the crowd by poking a skewer through a balloon without making it pop, or balancing a penny on a coat hanger. Nothing’s cooler than watching a real egg get sucked into a glass bottle, picking up ice without even touching it, or whipping up fizzy and colorful solutions that any mad scientist would prize. Wild optical illusions will boggle the mind and astound the eye.