Four Seasons: Creative Activities for Young Children

Adиle Ashby, a library consultant, is the former editor of Canadian Materials for Schools and Libraries.

Aimed at parents who “want to increase the number and variety of
experiences to which their children are exposed,” this guide offers
more than 150 activities—such as games, recipes, and crafts—for the
home, garden, and car. Divided into “Spring Bouquets,” “Summer
Sunshine,” “Autumn Crunch,” and “Winter Wonders,” the
activities are intended for children two to nine.

The materials can be found in most homes. The directions are clear and
some items, such as a teddy-bear bath mitt, include patterns. Some adult
supervision may be required. The activities often include a “bright
idea” (i.e., a comment on “educational/developmental value”),
additional information, or sometimes a bit of poetry. The illustrations
are black and white.

Four Seasons will be useful not only to parents but also to anyone who
works with children. My only reservation is the recurring use of the
masculine pronoun to refer to children of both sexes.