A fall treasury of recipes, crafts, and wisdom

PreS-Gr 2--An accessible collection of recipes and crafts children can readily create with adult supervision, this cheerful treasury offers tidbits about harvesting and the natural world. Unlike those found in similar books, the family activities are attainable regardless of location, and economically friendly. It is eco-conscious; for example, Ferraro-Fanning offers ways to stretch the uses of apple cores and pumpkin seeds in recipes. This raises awareness of nature, while also keeping the budget on activities reasonable. Pumpkin seeds pop up in crafts, too, including for use in maracas. The autumnal color spreads, in colored pencils, depict the different kinds of pumpkins, apples, pears, and herbs in vivid spreads, each more delightful than the last. A table of contents will get kids into the pages, where each project is clearly titled with precise instructions. The graphic design and font are clear and the artwork is remarkably detailed. Other highlights include saving seeds, making seed packets, drying herbs, and growing windowsill herb gardens. VERDICT Educators and other adults who work with children are likely to find inspiration in this collection; recommended, too, for public libraries where families heavily circulate crafts and recipes.--Rachel Zuffa