Skip to main content

Books to Read...When You Need a New Hobby

As I scroll through Pinterest, I am always so amazed at everyone's creativity. I often find myself thinking, "Wow! I wish I could make something like that!" The truth is, if I stopped wishing and actually tried to make something, I could probably create something pretty cool. Here are some books to inspire you to pick up a new hobby and become a maker.  

By Shannon Merenstein
Quarry Books, 2018. Informational. 152 pages.

This book encourages children to use all types of materials to make collages. You can use paper, fabric, wood, pom poms, stickers, yarn, cardboard, tissue paper, etc. This is such a fun art medium because you can get creative with whatever you already have on hand. This book walks you through workshops to try out different collage techniques. 


Written by Amy Tangerine
Illustrated by Tracey English
DK Publishing, 2022. Informational. 47 pages.

Reading this book is just as relaxing as the title suggests it will be. It walks you through several crafts that are focused on mindfulness like making mindmaps, vision boards, an emotion wheel, and journaling. If you're looking for a hobby that will enrich your life, then this is the book for you.


By Yvonne Palka
Little Bigfoot, an imprint of Sasquatch Books, 2018. Informational. 39 pages.

Sumi-e is the Japanese art of ink painting. This book shows how to make all different strokes. Even a very beginner could combine the various strokes to make something beautiful. 


By Katrina Rodabaugh
Quarry Books, 2015. Informational. 144 pages.

The aesthetic of this book is absolutely inspiring. The craft ideas range from simply making a paper garland to more complex projects like a lemonade stand. You don't need fancy paper or supplies to do these projects either. You can use supplies like old book pages, junk mail, and past calendars to make really amazing things!


By Melissa Lennig
Quarry Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 2019. Informational. 141 pages.

Sticks and stones is all about using nature to create. These ideas can be used in your backyard or on your next camping trip. You can make fun things like cairns, stamps from leaves, and a tiny log cabin. This book will get you outside and inspire you to create!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

Review: Fresh Start

Fresh Start By Gale Galligan New York: Graphix, 2025. Graphic novel. 270 pages. Ollie Herisson is only in 7th grade, but she has already lived all over the world. Her father is an American diplomat, whose job has taken their family to France, Singapore, Thailand (where her mom is from), and now to Chestnut Falls, Virginia. Ollie loves that her family doesn't stay in one place very long, it allows her to have a fresh start and hide from any embarrassing moments each time they move. But Ollie's parents have big news -- they've decided to buy a house in Virginia and put down roots. Now, Ollie and her younger sister Cat have to figure out how to build lasting friendships which means resolving conflict rather than running away when things get hard.  Loosely based on the author's own childhood experiences, this graphic novel is sure to be popular with readers who like coming of age stories. Watching Ollie learn to think of others as she advocates for her sister Cat, and navig...

Review: Will's Race for Home

  Willl's Race for Home  By Jewell Parker Rhodes Little Brown & Company, 2025. Fiction. 256 pages.    Will is a young man whose father and family are working the land as sharecroppers in Texas. When Will's father comes home with the news that there is land available in Oklahoma to those who can stake and settle it, Will's father expresses his deep desire to go and claim land for their family. Will begs to be included, but his mother is reluctant to let him go. After input from the entire family, they decide that Will is ready for the responsibility. Along the way Will and his father develop a deeper appreciation for each other, form deep friendship, discover hidden enemies, and encounter many challenges which force them to make difficult decisions. Will's father has to rely heavily on him, especially as they get closer to their final destination. Will's bravery is inspiring and commendable.  This book is full of many amazing elements: suspense, adventure, fr...