Library source of ideas

A sample of library books available with activities and information to peak the interest those looking for new things to do.

Between the heat and the smoke this summer has been one for spending a lot of time indoors. Some think that limits activities down to only boring ones. Children tend to get bored real fast if there is not a variety of activities to do.

First the card models we suggested are a great indoor activity. However several of the websites we suggested may have been hard to find. Here is a more detailed list that might help.

The web sites are: www.fiddlersgreen.net, www.digitalnavy.com, http://www.paperparadise.com/ and http://bellsouthpwp.net/n/8/n8hfi/card-faq/.

Another place to find all sorts of interesting activities is the local library. We visited the one here in Red Bluff and found many interesting books with varying craft ideas to books with many pictures and information on a variety of subjects.

While we were at the library there were many children taking advantage of the children’s reading books. But there is much more in the library that could be interesting to children. Parents or even the library workers can help children find other types of books that might interest them.

For those interested in origami there are many to choose from. Three by John Montrol include: “Bringing Origami to Life,” “Bugs and Birds in Origami” and “Dollar Bill Animals in Origami.” These have projects suitable for all ages.

Paper airplanes are fun to fly indoors. At the library is a book by Richard Kline titled “The Ultimate Paper Airplane.” After making the models hold a contest to see whose model flies the farthest.

Another book about something to fly is “Kiteworks” by Maxwell Eden. It is about the explorations in kite building and flying. Now is a good time to build a kite so it will be ready to fly on a nice clear windy day.

Those who want to see some great pictures of real airplanes and their cockpits there is a book for you. “At the Controls” the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum book of cockpits by Alison and Dana Bell is the one to check out.

For those who like staying on the ground but going fast race cars might be just the thing. The “History of The Racing Car: Man and Machine” by Giovanni Lurani is a good read.

Maybe something bigger might fit the bill. How about “Big Rigs” by Stan Holtzman? This is a complete history of the American semi truck. Lots of pictures are in this book also.

Want more history on vehicles. Try “Powered Vehicles” by Reginald Carpenter, Peter Kalla-Bishop, Kenneth Munson and Robert Wyatt. They give a historical review of many vehicles.

Then there are tractors. “The Big Book of John Deere Tractors” by Don Macmillan is a complete model-by-model encyclopedia.

For those in junior high and up who want more crafting choices there is “It’s all about the beads!” by Barbara Case. There are many suggesting for making jewelry from beads in this book. Another craft book is “Wirework” by Ellen Wieske. This book shows how to shape wire into all sorts of great looking projects.

If none of the above have peaked an interest there are many more at the library. Just browsing through the stacks of books should turn up something of interest for everyone. No more excuses for being bored.