THINGS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS TO MAKE

This is one of the books that produces an overwhelming hope on the part of the adult that one's own young people are not inspired to create some of the gadgets suggested. Why oh why do handicraft people feel impelled to think up some of the horrors such as puppy dog doorsteps and bedside clothes hangers, some of the dust gatherers that take space and serve only to annoy? One feels particularly indignant in this instance because there are good, practical things here, and more of them and less of the others would seem possible. There's lots of sound information on tools and equipment, woodworking rules (the author assumes that all schools have workshops- would that they did!), information on preparation of wood and finishes. But the main text with things to make- for beginners, for junior craftsman, for the family.