Professional Reading: Maletsky, Sophie. Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects. Zest Books, 2013. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-936976-54-6.
Check the young adult nonfiction area of your library and you may find you already own this wonderful resource. In fact, you might want to purchase another copy just for in-house use, since it is packed with projects you can offer at a tween or teen Do-It-Yourself library program.
The book begins with a detailed section on types of duct tape, supplies and tools needed, and many basic constructions like closures essential in making the items in the book. There are 58 different projects in the book, from things that take less than 10 minutes to make, to a backpack that can take two hours to construct. The chapter for each item is very detailed, with many color photos and step by step instructions. There are also lists of all the supplies and tools needed for each craft. Most of the crafts are jewelry, purses and wallets, bookmarks and book covers, and locker or desk accessories.
Any of the items would work for a craft program on making gifts, or part of a Maker space program. One of my favorites is the checkerboard, complete with checkers, which takes less than an hour to make. Nearly all of the projects could be made easily by anyone in middle or high school, and some things can be made by children age six to ten with some adult guidance.
The author Sophie Maletsky is a former actress who now teaches and specializes in party planning. She lives in San Francisco and often visits libraries to conduct craft programming for tweens and teens. To contact her, visit her website at: www.sophie-world.com or her blog www.sophie-world.com/blog. Her website contains a calendar showing various libraries who have booked her to conduct a program this summer: http://sophie-world.com/sophie-friends/sophie-action.
Penny Peck, San Jose State Univ. iSchool
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