The Kids Winter Cottage Book

Nikki Tate-Stratton writes novels for preteens; her latest books are
Jo’s Triumph; Jessa Be Nimble, Rebel Be Quick; Raven’s Revenge; and
Tarragon Island.

Jane Drake and Ann Love are back with another great collection of
activities for children. The Kids Winter Cottage Book is divided into
four chapters: “Welcome Winter,” “Outdoor Winter Fun,” “Indoor
Winter Fun,” and “Celebrate Winter.” Each chapter seamlessly
combines information and trivia with related crafts and activities.
Activities range from the very simple (making snow goggles from an egg
carton) to quite complex (making snowshoes).

The range of activities included is terrific. Sitting by the fire
telling stories requires nothing more than a storyteller and an audience
member. Other activities, like snow soccer, building snow forts, or
organizing your own Winter Olympics, are best enjoyed with a group of
friends. Winter baking, games, weather forecasting, animal track
identification, mask making, and knitting are just some of the ways Love
and Drake suggest families celebrate winter. Though a few of the
activities are region-specific (making maple sugar), and many others
require snow, there are plenty of good suggestions for indoor projects
that would be suitable for milder climates.

Well organized and clearly written, the book also provides a table of
contents and an index, which makes it easy to find a particular craft,
activity, or recipe. Pencil sketches by Heather Collins supplement the
clear, step-by-step instructions provided in the text. Beyond the purely
functional role of the illustrations, Collins’s depiction of children
having a wonderful time helps celebrate the delights of the colder
months. Highly recommended.