This book is, first of all, a rather beautiful book to behold. The red cloth hardback cover with the curled-up golden dragon on the front immediately make you want to pick it up and look inside! It's also a rather unusual book, being a mix of both fiction and non-fiction, so when you begin it you're initially not quite sure what you're looking at. As you read on you discover that there's a story running throughout by Sir Richard Barons, a famous dragon hunter, and with each story he tells there is also a craft project of something related to make!
| Dragonolia by Chris Barnardo | |
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| Category: Children's Non-Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Ruth Ng
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| Summary: An intriguing mix of stories and craft projects. Read the story at bedtime, and then make the related item the following day. Perfect for rainy school holidays! | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 96 | Date: October 2011 |
| Publisher: Little Black Dog | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1904967248 | |
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There are fourteen projects in all ranging from simple items that you can print out from the related website through to more complicated tasks to make a dragon bottle stopper or a wizard's wand. Because of the complexity of some of the projects the book is probably best for children aged at least eight, though if you've a very keen little crafter then they could give the projects a go, whilst being heavily supervised by an adult! If your house is already equipped with glue guns and saved-up cardboard boxes then this is probably your ideal book, and there's lots of fun to be had making the various different items.
I liked the unusual style of this book, with the stories inserted right within the project instructions. It means that you can still get enjoyment from reading the book, even if you're not ready to sit down and make an item yet. It also makes the items you make more interesting since they're related to the story you've just read, giving everything a magical feel. I liked the range of projects apart from the fact that there are three items all relating to dragon eggs although I suppose it's tricky to come up with so many craft ideas all linked to the dragon theme. There are some that would take quite some time and effort to make, but then there are also easier items that would be quicker to make if you had less time. The book works equally well for boys or girls, and would be a nice weekend sort of book, or one for those long school holidays when you've run out of things to occupy the children with! It's such a beautifully presented book too that it would also make a nice gift for any crafty kids you know.
For more things to make you might also enjoy another book by Chris Barnardo: Dadcando: Build, Make, Do ... the Best Way to Spend Quality Time with Your Kids
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You can read more book reviews or buy Dragonolia by Chris Barnardo at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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