mammajamma's review against another edition
1.0
It's a shame that the "For Boys" author decided to arbitrarily divvy up childhood fun by gender. I considered these as Christmas presents for a niece and a nephew, but perusing them in the store, I could not justify telling a girl that her job is to make friendship bracelets while her brother makes the model rockets. All the activities in both books looked fun, but one's quantity of X chromosomes really shouldn't factor into whether one enjoys skipping stones or not.
adeperi's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting enough, but could use some wackier and less-heard-of ideas.
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
The boy book is SO well done, I'm nervous this one won't live up to it. It is obvious that the first was a passionate project between two brothers, and I'm worried this one is more a company project to make money off the original concept of the first.
Please let it be good.
Please let it be good.
mrsthrift's review against another edition
5.0
This is the book I wish someone had given me as a kid. Hundreds of pages of random how-to's and information. As an adult with a thirst for info, I still enjoyed reading it. But please, if you know a 4-14 year old girl, would you please buy her a copy? Thank you.
megadallion's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't "read" this per se. I went through the whole book and only read the chapters that interested me. It's a rather large book, so I think it would keep a young girl interested for a long period of time. It's a book she could refer to as she ages since the activities and articles vary in difficulty and age appropriateness. If I had a daughter I would definitely buy this for her bookshelf. It covers a wide variety of subjects and projects (sports, games, crafts, experiments, and stories). Here are a few chapter titles so you get an idea of what it covers:
*Fourteen Games of Tag
*How to Whistle with Two Fingers (I am sadly still unsuccessful at this)
*Five Karate Moves
*Vinegar and Baking Soda (good cleaning tips as well as the customary volcano experiment)
*Friendship Bracelets (I actually want to make one of these now, for old time's sake)
*Slumber Party Games
*Modern Women Leaders
*How to Negotiate a Salary (good for aspiring young babysitters and lemonade stand commanders)
*Cootie Catchers (another fun throwback)
*Make Your Own Paper
*Books That Will Change Your Life (best part!)
and lots more...
Overall, I think this would be a great tool for young girls to beat boredom and try new things. It's very informative and surprisingly educational (there are mini history, science, and math lessons squeezed in between entertaining hobbies and projects). A good book for those with young girls or for those who want to relive their childhood.
*Fourteen Games of Tag
*How to Whistle with Two Fingers (I am sadly still unsuccessful at this)
*Five Karate Moves
*Vinegar and Baking Soda (good cleaning tips as well as the customary volcano experiment)
*Friendship Bracelets (I actually want to make one of these now, for old time's sake)
*Slumber Party Games
*Modern Women Leaders
*How to Negotiate a Salary (good for aspiring young babysitters and lemonade stand commanders)
*Cootie Catchers (another fun throwback)
*Make Your Own Paper
*Books That Will Change Your Life (best part!)
and lots more...
Overall, I think this would be a great tool for young girls to beat boredom and try new things. It's very informative and surprisingly educational (there are mini history, science, and math lessons squeezed in between entertaining hobbies and projects). A good book for those with young girls or for those who want to relive their childhood.
szeglin's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This is the sort of reference book I'd have loved when I was a kid. A very eclectic mix of practical advice, historical tidbits, and instructions for games. There are plenty of lists strewn throughout, which I love & still appreciate. There's lots in here I wish I had known when I was a kid (how to build a scooter! I always wanted one but never had one), things I had forgotten about (Down by the Banks hand game), and things I remember clearly (Bloody Mary! I got in biiiiiiiiiiig trouble after trying to summon her in the bathroom mirror at a devout friend's house). I'm definitely holding on to this, and if I have a daughter, she's getting it.
quoththegirl's review against another edition
2.0
I wish I liked this book more. I have mixed feelings about the premise--the books teach neat things, but why have separate books for the boys and girls? And some of the info covered was cool, but it was VERY random. I'm not sure why certain sections were included at all. What was with the bit about the South Pacific Islands? And some sections just seemed to be unnecessarily enforcing stereotypes. Making friendship bracelets is not exactly daring. Practically speaking, a lot of the step-by-step instructions for various projects were hard to follow.
I can't help but think that contemporary girls would be bored by this book. The games, recommendations, and ideas felt pretty '80s and '90s to me, presumably because those were the decades during which the authors were girls. I don't think the tone was *meant* to be condescending, but...it was, in parts. Also, TYPOS, good grief.
I can't help but think that contemporary girls would be bored by this book. The games, recommendations, and ideas felt pretty '80s and '90s to me, presumably because those were the decades during which the authors were girls. I don't think the tone was *meant* to be condescending, but...it was, in parts. Also, TYPOS, good grief.
candide_woodard's review against another edition
5.0
When you are bored, this book always has good ideas, tips and crafts for you to do. Say hello to a book that drains boredom away!I recommend this to all girls and it is a good Christmas gift for anyone.