Books in Craft Activities series

A rich and abundant treasury in celebration of the outdoors, The Children's Forest encourages children’s natural fascination with the forest and its inhabitants. The authors have produced an enchanting book in which imagination, story, and play bring the world of the forest to vibrant life. Filled with games, facts, celebrations, craft activities, recipes, foraging, stories, and Forest School skills, this book is much more than a manual: it is an invitation. The book is organized into the eight Celtic seasons of Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, Summer, Lughnasa, Autumn, Samhain, and Winter. Within each chapter are the following sections: The Life of the Forest; Plant Lore; Imaginary Journey; Tree Lore; Activities, crafts and games; Animals; Celebration. The appendices cover woodland skills, safety, the Ogham alphabet, story sources, and more resources. Ideal for ages 5 to 12, The Children's Forest will also be enjoyed by adults, families, and younger children. C O N T E N T S: PrefaceIntroductionHow to Use this Book ImbolcSpringBeltaneSummerLughnasaAutumnSamhainWinter Appendices:The Central FireFire MakingForest School Good PracticeUseful ResourcesThanksgivingThe Ogham and the OghmaStory Sources AcknowledgmentsIndex

With a little know-how, anyone can transform a few basic ingredients into a delicious, sustaining loaf of bread. Baking Bread with Children has everything you need to share the magic of baking with children of all ages. The techniques and recipes are cleverly seasoned with stories, songs (with music), and poems that make the whole process truly enjoyable for everyone. Included are instructions for building and using a bread oven, baking projects for kindergarten and school, and useful information on nutrition. Baking Bread with Children is a great resource for all parents of young children and early-education teachers. Contents: 1. What Baking Bread Brings to Children2. Bread Stories3. Tips and Ingredients4. Recipes5. Songs, Poems, and Blessings to Celebrate Bread6. Bread Projects and Educational Activities7. Enlivening the Senses―Teaching with Bread8. Baking at School9. Seven Grains and Nutrition10. Factory-made Bread―Wheat Sensitivities, Allergies, and Coeliac Disease11. Author's Bread Biography Appendix: The Benefits of Organic and Biodynamic Food BibliographyUseful WebsitesIndex

Making Peg Dolls is Margaret Bloom’s first book and it introduces us to her magical world of peg dolls. Coming from the Waldorf handcraft tradition, these peg dolls are made from natural materials and are linked to the seasonal cycle, and favourite fairytales and festivals from around the world. They encourage the whole family to participate in the act of making as well as playing and living creatively.

"This is a great book to enjoy with the kids, as a parent or teacher, but even if you don't have children, let yourself reconnect with your inner child and fall in love with this magical world of tiny wooden characters. I don't have any children, but I confess, I'm completely enchanted by these sweet little dolls, and at some point I'm going to cave in to the need to create my own little Gnome, or Bear, or Bunny, or Dragon, or Owl, or maybe even a Cat!" ―Dawn Bevins (read her full review at UKHandmade.com)Peg dolls are small, enchanting, and easy to make. They are a perfect craft for children and can become the inspiration for endless play and storytelling. Margaret Bloom invites you to enter the tiny magical world of peg dolls. Coming from the Waldorf handcraft tradition, these irresistible dolls encourage creative play and promote the emotional and imaginative development of young children. Peg dolls can be made from natural materials to reflect the seasonal cycle, favorite fairy tales and festivals from around the world. Inside Making Peg Dolls, you will find patterns for creating bluebirds & butterflies, flowers & fairy-tale figures, gnomes, winter angels and more: Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for children and crafters of all levels and experience Beautiful color illustrations and photos More than sixty designs and patterns for peg dolls Ideas for peg dolls as gifts and toys, for seasonal nature tables, or for fairs An inspiring section on storytelling with peg dolls Making Peg Dolls is a valuable resource for families and classrooms with young children.

Puppet Theatre offers twelve detailed, beautifully illustrated projects with all the techniques you need for a simple puppet show or full theatrical performance. You can make finger, hand and knee puppets; make puppets from twigs, stones, potatoes and paper; construct rod puppets, marionettes and shadow theatre; animate your puppets and give each their own unique character; create costumes, staging, scenery, props, lighting and sound effects.