Books published by publisher Lark Books

Plastic humanoids, dancing spaghetti, and rubber eggs: something wacky’s going on here—and kids will love it! After all, what could be more fun than peeking into a mad scientist’s notebook and finding 50 fizzing, popping projects that will light up their own laboratories and minds? Young Einsteins (and Dr. Frankensteins) will discover really cool things to do, including building a hovercraft and rocket, boiling ice without melting it, and making their fingers smoke. Notes from the mad scientist himself on richly illustrated and lined pages make the projects even more entertaining! But don’t be fooled: these irresistible experiments demonstrate important principles of physics, biology, and chemistry. So kids will safely learn all about science even if they’re too busy making a mess to realize it.

they’re frighteningly adorable, and they’re about to conquer the world of kids’ crafts! Influenced by the popularity of Japanese animé, video-game culture, and urban illustration and design, lovable plush monsters have become a big new phenomenon. Yet they’re so simple to sew that kids can do it—as long as they have this book, the only one of its kind created just for children. Just take fabric, a needle and thread, and stuffing to make one of a dozen cute, odd, and irresistible projects: creatures fashioned from old clothes, sporting Velcro faces (change expressions everyday!), and that even do double duty as mp3 player covers, backpacks, and pillows. Sidebars offer amusing information about the critters’ names, skills, and tastes. Not only will kids have fun, they’ll learn how to work with patterns and master basic hand and machine sewing skills. And, because encouraging creativity is so important, the guide suggests variations so children can make one-of-a-kind creations.Featuring the illustrations and monster designs of John Murphy, author of Stupid Sock Creatures!

Sometimes all it takes is a little hands-on playfulness to get children involved in art. So forget the brushes--this third entry in the My Very Favorite Art Book series puts its finger on what kids find fun. The colorful array of creative activities will have budding painters amazed at all the different ways they can use their fingers, hands, and even their feet to make both realistic and abstract pictures. It won't be long before proud youngsters produce galleries of blot masterpieces, dinosaurs, fingerprint people, animals, and crazy creatures. Plus, they'll learn some simple how-tos for mixing colors and making their own paints. And the text is kept to a minimum, so even pre-readers can follow along.

Girls will love these goodies that soothe body and skin, and make them feel oh-so-pretty, like after a day at Mom’s spa! Easy-to-follow instructions and luscious color photos will tempt the beauty-conscious to whip up these 50 natural soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and more. Every pampering product uses such everyday ingredients as yogurt, honey, lemon juice, oats, herbal teas, essential oils, aloe vera, and glycerin. For a glowing complexion, they’ll start with a Mudpie Clay Mask. Hair looks its best washed with deliciously scented Peppermint Lavender Shampoo. Bathtime bliss begins with Herbal Bath Teabags and Fizzy Bath Bombs. Shimmer and shine with Glitterbug Gel and Power Punch Lip Gloss. There are even tips for creating a personalized spa line, complete with customized labels.

Even the youngest children love to solve clues and crack mysteries; it’s not only entertaining but mentally stimulating, too. This charming rhymed picture book for toddlers is like a playful little game, and every page will have them guessing just where Little Frog might be. Kids will love putting together the pieces and figuring out the answer.As frog happily hops from place to place, each simple, catchy verse and colorfully illustrated spread reveals a little more about his location. There’s a man with a floppy hat (a scarecrow); a patch of mud where someone likes to play (an adorable pig in his sty), a sleepy cow eating grass and hay; and a big red building with X’s on the door (a barn). Where is it? A farm, of course!Coming up in future seasons: Where Are You, Little Bird?

Cartooning’s a great form of art for young kids, because it’s so unintimidating: there are no mistakes, only funny faces to create, cute creatures to make, and new ideas to explore. With the help of this newest entry in Lark’s highly regarded art series, children can develop their own original cartoons and go as far as their imaginations will take them. There are plenty of practical tips, lots of hands-on activities to hone technique, and more than 60 original drawings for budding artists to work on. Beautifully designed pages with minimal text completely capture why cartoons are cool, and explain how to draw smiles and smirks, legs and other limbs, pesky pets, funny food, creepy crawlies, and even beloved dinosaurs.

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.