Birdfeeders

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Each of these do-it-yourself books for children has nine projects, that
“can be made in an afternoon and will last for years.” The books are
very attractive with bright colours and lots of pictures. The projects
themselves are whimsical and designed to appeal more to humans than
birds. Most have decorative aspects that would not be necessary for them
to function as birdhouses or birdfeeders. The designs include a “space
condo for birds,” made of corrugated plastic drainage pipe and flower
pots, and a “feeder fly,” made from a 30–ounce plastic bottle and
a plastic funnel. The books include a section on safety tips, a page
illustrating the required materials, and another page for tools. Each
project lists the materials required to build it, includes step-by-step
directions, and features a photo of the finished product. The
instructions are segmented into the smallest possible steps, using
illustrations to make them easy for a child to follow. The projects
range in complexity from 8 to 22 steps. While instructions are easy to
follow, most children will require some adult assistance, both in buying
materials and in construction. The books recommend adult assistance when
drilling or sawing. These books would be excellent for parents looking
for hands-on activities to share with their children. Highly
recommended.