Knotting: Make Your Own Basketball Nets, Guitar Straps, Sports Bags and More! (Kids Can Do It). Judy Ann Sadler. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2006. 40 pp., pbk. & cl., $6.95 (pbk.), $14.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-55337-834-2 (pbk.), ISBN 1-55337-541-6 (cl.). Subject Heading: Knots and splices-Juvenile literature. Grades 6-11 / Ages 11-16. Review by Fern Reirson. *** /4

excerpt:

Every project in this book is made by knotting together some type of cordage. Thick cordage is called rope, narrower cordage is called cord, line or braid and fine cordage is twine. All cordage is made by twisting or braiding together natural or synthetic fibers. Natural fibers include manila hemp, flax, jute and cotton and some synthetic fibers are nylon, polyester and polypropylene.

Older students interested in detailed, challenging crafts will enjoy the clear, colourful illustrations and photographs of this 'how to' book which is part of the craft series “Kids Can Do It.” Skilled crafters will enjoy knotting simple whistle lanyards, guitar straps, and bottle holders and progressively more complex knotting projects such as ladders, basketball hoops and sports bags. The crafts are both practical and of interest to the book's intended audience. The first four brief chapters provide background knowledge and skills about the parts of a rope, securing loose rope ends, coiling and knotting techniques with ropes. Practice of these basic skills will be essential before readers attempt any of the crafts shown in this book. The Knots-to-know sample board provides an excellent guide to practice and master knotting. It would be better introduced at the beginning of this book to encourage students to practice and master knotting techniques. The clear list of materials and illustrations oversimplify the skill actually needed to create the knotting crafts in this book. A glossary would have been helpful as a reference tool in learning knotting terminology. Both metric and imperial measurements are given.

     Though Knotting is recommended by the publisher as being suitable for ages 8 to 12, the complexity of the crafts and the reading level required by readers make this book better suited for older students.

Recommended.

Fern Reirson is the teacher-librarian at Jackson Heights School in Edmonton, AB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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