Cool trash to treasures series

Cool trash to treasures by Pam Scheunemann

"Upcycling" gets a shot in the arm with these attractive craft books, each of which contains at least six funky projects, some requiring little more than glue and scissors to accomplish. Unlike many craft volumes, the design palette here does not automatically scream "girl," although there are a few jewelry and accessory projects that seem specifically girl-oriented. Specialized materials are required for some projects, in some cases effectively negating any recycling involved with the craft, and many activities are time-consuming and cannot be completed in one day. Still, this set contains good classroom ideas, most involving measuring and calculation, which could be like catnip for crafty kids with time on their hands.