Stylish Shoes for the Crafty Fashionista

November 1, 2011

Gr 3-6-Reading-averse but style-conscious children may be tempted by these clear books. Nine to 11 projects ranging in style from super cute to decidedly edgy encourage individual experimentation and interpretation. Some of the projects are real standouts, e.g., feather-boa-trimmed "Princess Slippers," a scarf made from an old T-shirt, and tiger-striped fingernails. Smiling, healthy-looking, diverse teen girls model the age-appropriate accessories and outfits; instructions are generally simple, although a few projects require sewing. Materials are easily obtainable and, in many cases, encourage re-use of outmoded items. A terrific series for fashion enthusiasts and reluctant readers alike.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2011
Grades 4-7 Handbags, nail art, hair accessories, jewelryif you want to home-style your wardrobe, the Fashion Craft Studio series has you covered. This entry invites readers to think outside the shoebox by taking those comfy but boring shoes from the back of the closet and turning them into attention-grabbing stunners. From casual tennies to ready-for-prom heels to poofy home slippers, Meinking leaves no shoe unstyled. Most notable are the Flip-Flops That Pop (which involves knotting deflated balloons around the strap of a flip-flopit sounds weird but looks pretty darn cool) and Puddle Jumpers (using painter's tape and markers to make tiger stripes on regular old rain boots). Some of the more complicated shoes seem destined to fail, but all of them are attractive and modeled by a teen on each spread. The pictures are bright and helpful, the text clear, and certain words (decoupage, insole, vintage) are defined right on the page. It's almost guaranteed girls will try some of these.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)