THE KIDS' SUMMER HANDBOOK

Drawing on memories of a childhood when kids summered at the shore or in the woods, the authors describe crafts, games, nature studies, and camping activities in a book published in Canada as The Kids Cottage Book (1993). While making an ant farm or building a bird feeder are doable anywhere, many other activities here are less possible for urban children, few of whom have access to 32- foot pine trees to chop down for flag poles or six sealed barrels to use in a raft. Some warnings, too, seem insufficient (``If you see a rattlesnake or other poisonous snake, stay away from it''). Allison's The Sierra Club Summer Book (1977) will be more useful in the city; but this is a treasure trove for country kids, as well as a fine bit of nostalgia for other children and their parents to share. Soft pencil diagrams and drawings show a mix of children, including the physically challenged. Index. (Nonfiction. 10-12)