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Sandcastles Made Simple: Step-by-Step Instructions, Tips, and Tricks for Building Sensational Sand Creations
A step-by-step guide to the art of elaborate sandcastle building explains how to achieve impressive-looking results through a basic understanding of sand and by using a few simple tools, in an illustrated reference that also includes two projects for younger children. 20,000 first printing.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2005
12 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 11, 2015
I really enjoyed reading Sandcastles Made Simple by Lucinda "sandy feet" Wierenga. It is written for people who want to learn how to make spectacular sand sculptures. I think the book would be a great resource to someone wanting to get into competitive sand sculpting. It also has a lot of information for someone wanting to make truly memorable sandcastles just for fun. I love the idea of spending a day at the beach making a castle using the hand-stacking method.
The book is divided into chapters with clearly written step by step instructions and many photographs illustrating those steps. In chapter 14 Ms. Wierenga outlines her advice on how to have a large group build a sandcastle, after the leader has mastered the basic techniques well enough to teach. I couldn't help but think this would be an awesome activity for a group of teens. Chapter 15 goes over ideas for smaller scale projects, better for children with shorter attention spans.
The book is divided into chapters with clearly written step by step instructions and many photographs illustrating those steps. In chapter 14 Ms. Wierenga outlines her advice on how to have a large group build a sandcastle, after the leader has mastered the basic techniques well enough to teach. I couldn't help but think this would be an awesome activity for a group of teens. Chapter 15 goes over ideas for smaller scale projects, better for children with shorter attention spans.
June 23, 2016
I have yet to put my new knowledge into action, but I'm feeling so ready after reading this book to hit the beach tomorrow. I even bought a long handled purple shovel to make my water hole. It was a fast, engaging read, which impressed me. So often books such as these take themselves so seriously that beginners can get scared off or feel overwhelmed by the technical details. Not so, here. The advice is book is concisely delivered in an encouraging, light-hearted way that leaves you believing in yourself.
May 8, 2022
I read this book for research. Book 2 of my cozy series will feature a sand sculpture contest, and I wanted to learn about it. I thought this book provided great instruction and direction on how to create sand structures.
June 21, 2020
Can't wait!
Excellent sand sculpture instruction! Really looking forward to trying out the techniques on my next beach trip. Might even try to go in for a class!
Excellent sand sculpture instruction! Really looking forward to trying out the techniques on my next beach trip. Might even try to go in for a class!
June 23, 2021
This is a wonderful, exciting, non-fiction book that inspires the reader to "aim higher" while making sandcastles!
April 30, 2008
It's happened to all of us. You've been at the beach, and seen the usual smatterings of sandcastles that look more like sandheaps, of sandsculptures that look about as defined as a bunch of amorphous clouds, and then you see a real sandcastle: Turrets, arches, drawbridges... the works. It stands in such stark contrast that you are completely drawn to what must be a master sculptor to ask the inevitable: how do you do that!?
The truth is, building a really amazing sandcastle isn't nearly as hard as you'd think. Sure, there are the bohemoth monster castle and sculptures that are built for contests around the world that are 12 feet high, and take a small army just to gather all of the sand; but this book shows that you, the reader, can build a sand castle worthy of public admiration and oohs and aaahs in the few short hours you are at the beach. And if you are more aggressive, and want to sculpt something big enough to rival the pros, this book will show you how.
This book really gives all of the steps for sand sculpture, with a strong emphasis on castle building. It teaches the proper procedures for preparing sand, finding the best tools to carve, and how to accomplish most of the basic architectural forms you'll want or need. I got about a dozen books from the library on sandcastle building, and this one stands out from the rest by far. Not to mention the quality and volume of pictures. There are at least two or three pictures per page, which is just how an instructional book should be.
The design and layout of the book is stellar, with simple chapters, and easy to naviagte sections, so that you could take this with you to the beach and it would serve as a good on-site manual. It has sections that have kid friendly activities, and ranges in simple theory, to advanced techniques. It's really mind opening, and concise, and features techniques that the pros actually use, unlike many other books which feature more common 'soft pack" techniques.
It should also be noted that the author of this book, known in the sand world as "Sandy Feet", is an award winning professional sculptor and sandcastle teacher.
If you've ever wanted to build a sand-castle that people will stop to comment on, this book is a must-have.
The truth is, building a really amazing sandcastle isn't nearly as hard as you'd think. Sure, there are the bohemoth monster castle and sculptures that are built for contests around the world that are 12 feet high, and take a small army just to gather all of the sand; but this book shows that you, the reader, can build a sand castle worthy of public admiration and oohs and aaahs in the few short hours you are at the beach. And if you are more aggressive, and want to sculpt something big enough to rival the pros, this book will show you how.
This book really gives all of the steps for sand sculpture, with a strong emphasis on castle building. It teaches the proper procedures for preparing sand, finding the best tools to carve, and how to accomplish most of the basic architectural forms you'll want or need. I got about a dozen books from the library on sandcastle building, and this one stands out from the rest by far. Not to mention the quality and volume of pictures. There are at least two or three pictures per page, which is just how an instructional book should be.
The design and layout of the book is stellar, with simple chapters, and easy to naviagte sections, so that you could take this with you to the beach and it would serve as a good on-site manual. It has sections that have kid friendly activities, and ranges in simple theory, to advanced techniques. It's really mind opening, and concise, and features techniques that the pros actually use, unlike many other books which feature more common 'soft pack" techniques.
It should also be noted that the author of this book, known in the sand world as "Sandy Feet", is an award winning professional sculptor and sandcastle teacher.
If you've ever wanted to build a sand-castle that people will stop to comment on, this book is a must-have.
Want to read
March 1, 2009This book has been on my list to read for years... come on--doesn't it sound like a great talent to have, to be able to build great sand castles? So I finally got the book out of the library, and I was bored senseless by page 15. Maybe some day I'll pick it back up, like if I ever live near a beach.
August 27, 2011
Read this book before going to San Diego to watch the National Sand CAstle Building Competition this year. One of my bucket list is to build a noteworthy sand castle.Before the end of the year, I will build one. I understand what I needed is more than a shovel. Lucinda does a great job with simple explanation and great pictures. Just can't wait
August 25, 2009
Sensible, easy to follow advice with great illustrations. The author always remembers that this is supposed to be fun, not art. Her personal website and her set of links are another batch of fun.
January 3, 2017
This book is fun, it is helpful and it is well written - it is easy to understand and the sandcastle pictures are amazing. I will be using this book this summer to build epic sandcastles!! I can't wait!!
August 18, 2011
too hard for us at age 4
August 4, 2012
Geeze, all these years of going to the beach and I have been building wrong every time! Going to try out these new techniques while at the beach this week.
July 12, 2013
Great book for novices to help them make their sand building better. I learned a lot of tricks that will help me improve. Can't wait to hit the beach.
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August 8, 2013Just in case...
September 29, 2013
The best sand castle building book, period. I heart science.
July 5, 2016
I Love Sandcastles. This has given me some great techniques to try out next time I'm on the beach! Clear instructions and great pictures.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews