Synergy: Do-It-Yourself

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) involves creating, modifying, or repairing things without the help of professionals. Coined in the early 20th century in the area of home improvement, today’s DIY projects include a wide range of topics that reflect growing interest in self-sufficiency. Makerspaces are an extension of this movement that often includes technology-based projects.

Read the recently published works of graphic nonfiction for youth, then learn more at the website.

The MAKER COMICS series combines the graphic novel genre with the step-by-step instruction of a DIY book. Books include FIX A CAR, BAKE LIKE A PRO, CREATE A COSTUME, DRAW A COMIC, and GROW A GARDEN.

SURVIVE IN THE OUTDOORS by Mike Lawrence is the latest release in the MAKER COMICS series. After a brief a safety reminder, readers follow siblings who are reluctant to leave their electronic devices for an outdoor adventure. From fishing and outdoor cooking to first aid and shelter, their grandfather helps them learn the basics of survival. The book concludes with additional tips.

Other upcoming titles in the series include CONDUCT A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT and LIVE SUSTAINABLY.

INSTRUCTABLES is a website containing endless DIY projects. Major sections of the website include circuits, workshop, crafts, cooking, living, outside, and teachers. The OUTSIDE area explores a wide range of outdoor project and contest ideas. The OUTDOOR SURVIVAL projects focus on activities such as filtering water, using a compass, and building shelter.

To visit Instructables, go to https://www.instructables.com/.

ARC courtesy of First Second, an imprint of Macmillan.

Website Review: Capstone Kids

CAPSTONE KIDS is an engaging children’s website featuring characters from Capstone books.

The Characters section takes children to information about dozens of book characters. These pages contain short videos, information about the characters, book lists, interesting background information, author/illustrator information, and sometimes downloadable such as activities that can be printed.

The Make Stuff section features recipes, magic tricks, drawing, fold it, crafts, and projects. Written with children in mind, each page provides simple instructions, materials, additional project ideas, and downloadable handouts.

The Contests section is updated as new opportunities arise such as the Create the Scrappers Contest.

The Explore section features facts about a wide range of topics. Each page contains a topic, jokes, activities, information, quizzes, and games.

The Games and Quizzes sections feature dozens of games related to science, folk tales, health care, and other topics.

Librarians will find this website to be a fun way to connect reluctant readers to the world of books. Create a display that features book series and characters along with a tablet or laptop where children can explore the website. Periodically rotate the featured series. The short articles in the characters and explore sections would be useful for informational reading activities.

To visit the website, go to http://capstonekids.com/.