The Kids' Multicultural Craft Book: 35 Crafts from Around the World

by Roberta Gould

Provides instructions for creating 35 handicraft projects inspired by past and present cultures from around the world. Includes background information on the various crafts.

Genres: Crafts

Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Breann Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Teachers Resources) This book is a good resource for teachers because it provides different crafts and ideas for teachers to use in a multicultural approach. However, it is nice because it provides very specific locations from around the world and there are 35 crafts included. This would work well if teachers were planning on creating a lesson starting backwards, with a craft first and then brainstorming ideas for a lesson to go along with the craft. This could be used for almost all elementary, however, some of the younger grades may need assistance with scissors or glue. The only criticism that I have about this book is the shape and dimensions of the book. It provides many pages that you can copy, however, the book size does not match up with papers you would copy. Other than that, the book is great and would be a great way to experience diversity with your students.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of folk-art crafts that kids ages 8-14 can do, with similar materials or with similar techniques to how they are done in the original culture. The author has traveled to many of these cultures and shares stories about her experiences as well as providing cultural and historical context for many of the items that can be made. Detailed written instructions with some illustrations and photographs of the finished craft.

I really appreciate that these crafts are based on how things are made within the root culture - this retains the subtle lessons of how cultures use the materials available to them in their area, or how materials or techniques changes through knowledge exchange with other cultures, etc. The finished crafts are also of a quality that kids will be proud to share and display with friends and family.

[Kim Foy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for a multicultural unit. It has lots of ideas on simple crafts along with the traditions that are associated with them. It also gives a list of items to recycle for the making of the crafts that I thought was very helpful.