A Christmas Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom

Gr 3-6–Christmas cheer abounds in this affably illustrated collection of ideas for homemade gifts and things to do for the holiday. An environmentally conscientious twist encourages using natural, easily found, and recycled or recyclable materials. For example, there are instructions on how to use cuttings from elderberry bushes to root another plant, and instructions on how to create an advent calendar with toilet tissue tubes. Some suggestions are quite unique, such as the peppermint bath salts and foraged spruce (flavored) honey. All activities and recipes are clearly presented with easy-to-follow instructions. When needed, readers are reminded to ask for adult help. The illustrations are simple, colorful, cozy, and effectively depict the clearly numbered instructions. The children portrayed, however, appear younger than the activities for whom they seem most appropriate. With that caveat, there are some good ideas for old-fashioned Christmas doings.