Show & Tell : Crafting Fun, Cooking Fun

I have to confess, I judged these books by their covers. When Rae Grant contacted me to see if I'd be interested in review copies of her two new books, I took one look at the covers--with their vintage illustrations and drawings and immediately said yes. They reminded me of the old go-to Betty Crocker cookbook from my childhood.

And when I got them in hand, the goodness went beyond what was on the outside. I like Rae's note to families on the first few pages:

Crafting Fun : 101 Things to Make and Do with Kids is a collection of classic childhood projects that kids and families can use all year long. It's a ticket back to a less busy time, and a reminder of how much fun it can be to make and do simple things.....Like a family dinner, crafting brings kids and parents together and allows for a quality time that the TV or computer just can't provide.

The first Book, Crafting Fun: 101 Things to Make and Do with Kids , is a collection of classic crafts categorized by season. Though many are new, some are the time-honored, best-loved crafts of our childhood. The book has clear, simple directions that make it easy enough for even the youngest crafter to be involved, and older crafters to work through independently. Animal track casting, seashell candles, natural dyes, paper chains, and tinsel stars, there is definitely something for everyone.

Her next book, Cooking Fun: 121 Simple Recipes to Make with Kids would make a great first cookbook, gift, or addition to any kitchen library. I love (and appreciate) the helpful sections at the beginning which give how-to's and insights on kitchen tools, measuring, cooking terms, equipment and equivalents. Baked apples, heirloom brownies, icebox cookies--can you tell which section my children turned to first? Aside from yummy desserts, the book is filled with great recipes to make with your children in the kitchen.

Find Rae's blog here at My Little Hen

and her Author's website : Crafting Fun For Kids

I have one copy of each of Rae's books to giveaway this weekend. Leave a comment on this post and I will pick and announce the two random winners on Monday.

Happy Weekend, friends!

Comments

[Tricia Z]

I would love to have either of books to share with my daughter! These would be so fun! Thanks so much!

[Tara]

My daughter is finaly getting old enough to enjoy many things with. This would be great to have, even my sons like doing some of the things with mom. 2 out 3 sons like to sew, 1 is trying to crochet and knit.

[melissa]

these both look like lots of fun to be had! the girls and i would love working through them. thank you!

[Beth]

I'd love to win - these seem like great books! I'm always looking for ways to keep my kids (different ages) occupied with the same activity.

[grace]

Would love to win!!! Hoping for the Craft book, as my oldest child has severe food allergies so general cookbooks don't work for us! These books look so wonderful. LOVE the wonderful cover illustrations and your descriptions of what is inside looks great. THANKS for the great giveaway.

[Gen]

Fantastic books, thank you for the wonderful giveaway.

[Susan]

My kids have been wanting to do more cooking, so count me in! Thanks for the opportunity!

[Emily]

My three year old twins love to help in the kitchen. Of course there are times when I don't want the all the help I get, it'd be nice to do more kid-friendly cooking!

[Gabriel]

My son loves to help me cook, but we always make the same things. I could use some new ideas!

[Heather G]

My boys and I would have such fun with either of these books. They are always asking for "projects," ie crafts, and to cook different things.

[Jamie W.]

I love project books. I hope to win.

[Leah]

They look wonderful! I'd love to win either one. Thanks for hosting the giveaway, Molly.

[Gina]

they look delightful!

[michaela]

Wow, these look fantastic. My three-year-old girl is just getting old enough to help with the cooking and crafting. We'd love either one.

[liz (perspicacious.org)]

Oh, too fun! I love those retro-esque covers. :)

[Sarah]

Those are so great, Molly! Full of good stuff I could use at the library!

[Allison]

I would be thrilled to win these either of these books. I share a passion with my mom and sisters for anything vintage. I hope I win!

[liz]

these look wonderful!
crafting and cooking --- two of my very favorite things to do, with or without kids ;)

[Bethany]

They look like wonderful books!

[seattlemommy]

Would love these - great giveaway! Both my kids (6 and 2) love to cook and love craft projects...would love the opportunity to find more fun things for us to do together.

[Carrie @ Rhubarb Sky]

Those look so lovely. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

[julia]

i would love these! they'd definitely be put to good use around here. :)

[Mist]

Those covers really *are* gorgeous!

I definitely need to get my four littles into the kitchen more often.

[Lisa Clarke]

I've had an eye on these books recently and would love to have a closer look. It's getting harder to get my boys into the kitchen than it used to be. I need some good ideas :-)

[Hanna]

these books look great!

[Jen Z]

Neat - they both look great!

[Ali D]

I seem to be just at the end of my mental list of fun things to do - this would restock perfectly.

[kerrie]

What gorgeous looking books, I would love the chance to win.
thankyou.

[Lisa]

My almost-three-year-old, Lucy, loves to help me bake and pours over my cookbook each night as I make dinner. She'd love a cookbook of her own, and this one looks wonderful. We're also just starting to get into doing crafts together, and I'd love to have some more ideas of projects we could do together.

[melody]

I would have done the same thing... I almost always judge a book by it's cover...

[JBS]

They look like some good books with some great ideas!

[Rosemary]

I would love to have these for my girls. What a great give away.

[Missy K]

These look really fun!

[erin]

i have been wanting to take a look at these books for a long time. they do look adorable!

[Carri Lambert]

My girls and I love to cook and craft together. And sometimes even my 16yo son jumps into the fun, but not very often these days. He has an angsty teen rep to protect. These books look like a wonderful addition to our collection. Thanks for another great giveaway!

[Halley T]

Both of these books look like loads of fun! With 3 kids, we are always looking for new and creative ideas. We would love to put them to good use. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Heidi]

Sounds like a lot of fun!

[Ally]

I love the vintage look of the books. My daughter and I would love these!

[Laura F]

I love these books.Thanks for he chance to win!

[Angelica]

I would love to share any of those with my little girl!

[Paula]

The books sound fabulous! Please enter me in this for my 8 yr old Olivia!
Thanks

[Mary]

I love these type of books and so does my 6 y/o daughter. She pours through our current ones marking her favorite recipes and projects with little pieces of paper. She often takes a cookbook with her in the car reading off recipes to her dad and I tempting us with their yumminess...

[hanna]

I'd love to win either of these!

[anke]

these are just adorable looking! My kids all like crafts (chips off the old block I guess) and I am always looking for new things to cook. I would love one of those books

[LA]

How fun! My 3 yr old would love to try either book out!

[Stacey]

My 6 yr old twins would be all over either of those books. What a great giveaway!

[Tora in Chagrin Falls, OH]

How sweet - - I'd love to have one of these books. My grandchildren, 10, 8, 7, 5 and 4 love to do stuff with Nana.

[Liz]

Oh what fun books -- I'm crossing my fingers that you'll draw my name!

[Gayle]

These look like great books to make some good memories with my kids.

[JenPack]

What wonderfully fun looking books! I'm always looking for new things to do with my son. Thanks for the tips and the links!