Making Make-Believe: Fun Props, Costumes, and Creative Play Ideas

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Summary: Let's Build a Fort!!
Review: I had more fun writing this book than any other of the ten art books I have done over the years. It was fun to make a fort out of a refrigerator box, just like we used to when we were kids! And making a fairy village out of pinecones, pebbles, leaves, and coconut shells took me back to being six and happily lost in an imaginary world where the fairies played in my village at night when I was sleeping. This book is filled with things kids can make or do to enhance their pretend and make-believe, from puppets to costumes to setting up play houses or tea parties. Over 100 ideas, 190 pages, for ages through eight or so.All ideas use materials commonly found in homes or classrooms, and no expertise is needed. I wrote this book so I could encourage children to pretend like we used to in the "olden days", but most of the ideas are brand new. Take a look!

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Summary: No TV tonight!
Review: I think I will try weaving a big yarn web in our tv room tonight (just like the book suggests! ), and turn off that ol' TV. It will be a whole lot better for the kids (and us) than watching Third Rock from the Sun, don't you think? I'm excited about the variety of pretend and play ideas in this book, and am especially interested in the chapter that gives pretending projects and activities to go with favorite children's books like Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things are. Yes, even Curious George is there!

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Summary: Email Sharing Groups Contribute to Book
Review: Many of the ideas in this book were contributed through email sharing groups with MaryAnn, from teachers and parents all over the world.If you like pretending, or think it's important for your kids, you will like this book. All of the 44 people who contributed to it feel the same way!

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Summary: HOORAY! Turn off the TV
Review: This is the best book I have seen on what kids can make to motivate and enhance their pretend time. Let's turn off more tv's and get kids busy with their imagainations! Excellent book.