Amazon Sheri's website Category:  Children Publisher: Nomad Press ISBN-10:  0977129411 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 128 Copyright: July 1, 2006 ISBN-13: 9780977129416 A hands-on activity book for anyone who wants to learn more about American WWII history, both on the battle front and at home. For readers 9 and up. Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself explores life during the war years through more than 30 hands-on building projects and activities. From air raid shelters to ration cakes, victory gardens to peace wish wheels, kids will get a sense of everyday life in war-time America. And they'll remember what they learn because of the fun they'll have making the projects. Cool! Excerpt Know Your Swing Slang: killer diller: good stuff snap your cap: get angry licorice stick: clarinet threads: clothing In World War II, food was rationed for three primary reasons. One, the military needed to send plenty of food to the soldiers fighting on the front lines. Two, access to products from other countries was cut off by the Axis enemies. And three, the ships that normally transported food were being used to send soldiers and military equipment to the battlefield.

A compilation of reviews from publisher
http://www.nomadpress.net/WWII.R.html

From the website of my publisher, Nomad Press:

"an excellent resource…”
—School Library Media Activities Monthly, May 2007 (circulation 12,000+)

"You get a feel for what it would have been like during the war… this is a great source."
—The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, November 2006

"A great way to offer kids and adults a hands-on way to experience the history and innovations that were sparked by the Second World War."
—Arline Zatz, freelance writer

"Includes great hands-on activities…is full of information about World War II from the front lines to the home front."
—Cobblestone, April 2007

"In straightforward, highly readable prose, it provides a thorough overview of the events…”
—Children’s Literature

"A unique, educational book."
—Travel World International

"Makes history come alive right at your kitchen table or at your child's desk! A particular treat for young history buffs, homeschoolers, or teachers looking for a WWII resource full of innovative, hands-on ideas."
—Paula Spencer, Woman's Day Magazine's "Momfidence!" columnist and Parenting Magazine contributing editor

"Both my 13 year old and 9 year old were lucky enough to get a copy of this great book. They were struck by the differences between life during WWII and the current war in Iraq. Since the book is very age appropriate the material is presented in a way that sparked conversations between us about the war. The crafts are fun too! I would highly recommend this book to all moms who want a summer activity for their kids that will not only engage them but give them a jump start for history class in the fall!"
—ItsGoodToBeTheQueen.com, Where Moms of Boys Reign!

"Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is a wonderful book that young people can learn from and have fun at the same time. The hands-on projects will stimulate their imaginations and add to their understanding of the sacrifices and inventiveness of that generation. It will make a valuable addition to any educator’s toolkit.”
—Richard Koone, National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas

"Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is an interactive approach to history that children (and adults) will enjoy. The service, sacrifice and struggles of World War II are explained and explored with each creative project. This book provides a wonderful way to "do" history together.”
—Jay P. Tennies, Director, Eldred World War II Museum and Learning Center, Eldred, PA

"Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is history and fun rolled into one kid-friendly book. Children will learn about escape maps hidden in playing cards, war-time music and lingo, and how to make silly putty"all while getting a solid understanding of life during World War II. It’s ‘killer-diller’"good stuff.”
— Jen Singer, Author 14 Hours ‘Til Bedtime

Bookview
http://www.bell-rehwoldt.com/Bookview%20%20Children's%20Book%20Reviews.htm

June 19, 2006
Review: Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself

Filed under: Book Reviews, Children's Books, Nonfiction — Karen @ 7:37 pm

great world war II projects you can build yourself Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt (Nomad Press, 2006).

There’s been a lot of feel-good nostalgia about the Second World War in the media. This book, however, isn’t just another “wasn’t that a great war?” entry into the general collection.

Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is an introduction to the World War II era that includes the good, the bad, and the really, really ugly, from daily sacrifices in support of the troops, to blatant raw racism seen in everyday art and propaganda.

No doubt that World War II was a defining period in the world’s history, a period that brought the United States forward as a leading world power. Yet the uncertainty of the era and the underlying fear that infused daily life is present in this series of hands-on history lessons.

An introductory chapter gives a brief history of the war itself, from conditions in Germany that led to Hitler’s rise to power, through Japan’s raid on Pearl Harbor that drew the U.S. into the war, and finally Hitler’s demise in a bunker in Berlin. Included are the persecution of Jews and other groups in Germany, and the internment of Japanese-Americans in the U.S. This sets the context for the chapters that follow.

The rest of the book focuses on life on the home front, where civilians were encouraged to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Food rationing became a way of life. People grew food in backyard victory gardens, and recipe books instructing homemakers on cooking without rationed foods, such as sugar and butter, appeared on shelves in every kitchen. Readers can try out a sugarless cake sweetened with honey and raisins instead of sugar, and grow a miniature victory garden.

Fear was also a theme on the homefront. Readers learn about propaganda, used both to raise morale and to direct anger and hatred against the enemy. Projects include building a model bomb shelter, models planes (which were used to train aircraft spotters), and victory banners. But just as kids avidly learned how to send coded messages from radio programs or Scouts, dreaming of one day intercept a secret message and catch a spy, readers can learn how to send secret messages, use codes, and learn some words used by Navajo code talkers

All projects in the book use common household items or items that can be easily found at a craft store. Elementary and middle school teachers as well as homeschoolers will find this book valuable for integrating history, art, and language arts in a World War II unit. Young readers interested in history and crafts will find plenty in this book to keep them busy during their leisure hours — just as their World War II era counterparts kept busy with homemade entertainments and crafts.


The Old Schoolhouse
http://www.bell-rehwoldt.com/old%20school%20house%20--%20WWII%20review.htm

There are lots of history activity books out there, but many of them are for very young children or are merely artsy-craftsy books without much connection to the actual historical events. Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is different. This 118-page paperback book has text highlighting the main people and events in World War II, and it includes 21 projects. It is written to the child, as the title implies, with an introduction and project directions written in the second person. The chapter pages contain photos, illustrations, and sidebars to break up the text.

The book starts with a photo directory of the key players in the war, a timeline, maps of Europe and the South Pacific, and an introduction. The chapters are divided into two parts: "On the Home Front" and "On the Front Lines." The end of the book has a glossary, a list of resources, and an index. This book would best be used to supplement a more thorough text or study of the war. To get the most from the activities, a student should first read the short chapter that goes along with the activity to get more background and to understand the significance of the project. Great World War II Projects is designed for ages nine and up. I think it would be suitable for children in upper elementary through middle school.

I like that the book is written to the student. Having directions that state why you should be careful about a particular step or why you need certain equipment is a real plus. The text is balanced in presenting the pros and cons of many choices made during World War II, such as placing Japanese-Americans in internment camps and bombing Pearl Harbor. The author's enthusiasm for the subject really comes through, and you get a feel for what it would have been like during the war. There are a variety of projects that would appeal to both boys and girls. If your kids are like mine, the spy and secret message activities will be a big hit.

I do wish more emphasis had been given to the bibliography. I also wish it had been annotated. This book is likely to spark more interest in the war, and an expanded bibliography would provide other books or websites for the child to investigate. Great World War II Projects can increase your child's knowledge of and interest in the war, and if you are looking for some hands-on projects this is a great source.



Product review by Kathy Gelzer, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, November 2006