What do you think?
Rate this book
Show Off: How to Do Absolutely Everything. One Step at a Time.
How many cool things can you do? The answer will amaze you — and the secrets are all in this witty and nearly wordless book.
Are you the crafty type? Try drawing some manga or customizing your sneakers. Got a soft spot for science? Dazzle your friends with the old exploding volcano trick, then slyly ease an egg into a bottle. Or you can really get cooking by slipping fortunes into a batch of cookies and folding them like a pro. From taking funny fake photos to breeding butterflies, from running a ninja obstacle course to reading minds to, yes, whipping up some edible fake barf, here is the source for learning how to do absolutely everything. With minimal text and maximal humor, these simple illustrated instructions will have kids psyched
— Investigate (science projects anyone can do)
— Create (arts, crafts, and personal style)
— Explore (adventures in the great outdoors)
— Cook (recipes for tasty — and terrifying — treats)
— Move (sports, games, and playground acrobatics)
— Amaze (tricks, pranks, and awesome acts).
Back matter includes an index, and information about how to get involved.
Are you the crafty type? Try drawing some manga or customizing your sneakers. Got a soft spot for science? Dazzle your friends with the old exploding volcano trick, then slyly ease an egg into a bottle. Or you can really get cooking by slipping fortunes into a batch of cookies and folding them like a pro. From taking funny fake photos to breeding butterflies, from running a ninja obstacle course to reading minds to, yes, whipping up some edible fake barf, here is the source for learning how to do absolutely everything. With minimal text and maximal humor, these simple illustrated instructions will have kids psyched
— Investigate (science projects anyone can do)
— Create (arts, crafts, and personal style)
— Explore (adventures in the great outdoors)
— Cook (recipes for tasty — and terrifying — treats)
— Move (sports, games, and playground acrobatics)
— Amaze (tricks, pranks, and awesome acts).
Back matter includes an index, and information about how to get involved.
- GenresNonfictionTeen
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 2, 2010
This is probably the best fast & dirty teen programming for the library book I have ever encountered. The activities are truly easy, cheap, and interesting. So far we have done the ice cream and the papel picado. The only problem is everyone wants to check the book out and I keep needing to order myself another!
January 5, 2023
I read this book for the Charlie May Simon award committee. It was very interesting, but I'm not sure it was the exact right one for our Non-Fiction end of that award. It really does tell you how to do *ALL* of the things (random things), and there is surely something for everyone inside it.
June 24, 2017
Wonderful Illustrations throughout the book. Got to find a number of "How to Do" guides for a few things which I have been searching since ages.
February 23, 2015
Beyond the web posterized artwork and a couple of good ideas, this book is a waste.
Examples from the book:
How to spin a basketball:
1. Hold the ball with just your fingertips.
2. Spin it up on one fingertip.
3. Balance it on your finger until it slows down.
How to dribble under one leg:
1. Space your feet widely. Hold the ball palm down
2. Bounce the ball between your legs. Catch.
3. Repeat, bouncing it back to front.
If those are included, why not include...
How to throw a perfect snowball:
1. Get some snow.
2. Using your hands, round it into a perfect snowball.
3. Throw it. You earned it, Professor Perfect.
How to jump really high:
1. Squat down.
1. Burst up and jump as high as you can.
2. Repeat and jump higher than that.
3. Keep practicing until you jump really high.
The instructions are certainly valid. They just worthless. Like a majority of this book.
Examples from the book:
How to spin a basketball:
1. Hold the ball with just your fingertips.
2. Spin it up on one fingertip.
3. Balance it on your finger until it slows down.
How to dribble under one leg:
1. Space your feet widely. Hold the ball palm down
2. Bounce the ball between your legs. Catch.
3. Repeat, bouncing it back to front.
If those are included, why not include...
How to throw a perfect snowball:
1. Get some snow.
2. Using your hands, round it into a perfect snowball.
3. Throw it. You earned it, Professor Perfect.
How to jump really high:
1. Squat down.
1. Burst up and jump as high as you can.
2. Repeat and jump higher than that.
3. Keep practicing until you jump really high.
The instructions are certainly valid. They just worthless. Like a majority of this book.
May 24, 2010
If I were to give stars for how much my kids have poured over this book, this would get 5+. They love, love, love it. The bright, active illustrations fascinate them. They love the range of topics, imagining that they could do each and every one.
However, when we went to make taffy using this as the main directions, they weren't quite detailed enough to use as a recipe. We had trouble knowing the best way to let the taffy cool, to get it to the pulling stage. But, then, maybe my daughter chose one of the more difficult projects to try out. Should have gone for the climbing up the wall instead!
This will be an instant hit in your library or home, a great boredom buster if ever I saw one!
However, when we went to make taffy using this as the main directions, they weren't quite detailed enough to use as a recipe. We had trouble knowing the best way to let the taffy cool, to get it to the pulling stage. But, then, maybe my daughter chose one of the more difficult projects to try out. Should have gone for the climbing up the wall instead!
This will be an instant hit in your library or home, a great boredom buster if ever I saw one!
July 5, 2010
This book is great for all ages. I showed the kids some of the optical illusions that everyone could do, and it was a big hit. Especially fun with my own children and their cousins ages 5,6,7,8 was the peep war. Bought tons of peeps at the after Easter 50% off sales and slayed them all in the microwave. If you try this, slide the dead peeps immediately in to the trash can. If you let them cool, they form a hard crust that is hard to remove from plates. Better yet, use a paper plate and toss the whole thing.
August 21, 2010
What would you like to learn how to do? Turn drink mix into hair dye? Create a fake wound? Tell time with a potato? Light a room with a pony tail? Roll up a duct tape rose? Cultivate carnivorous plants? Bake stained glass cookies? Run a ninja obstacle course?
This is just a small sample of the things you can learn how to do one step at a time. I have to say this is the ultimate in how to books. Now I am off to learn how to make edible fake barf.
This is just a small sample of the things you can learn how to do one step at a time. I have to say this is the ultimate in how to books. Now I am off to learn how to make edible fake barf.
August 30, 2014
I love these books that Candlewick publishes. They make me wish for two weeks off just so I could work my way through doing all of the activities. I learned some random trivia along the way, too, including that clear deodorant is the trick for adhering homemade temporary tattoos! I think this book would be great for parents and teachers yet I also think it's for anyone looking to have some fun.
June 24, 2012
An ok "how-to" book that entertains, all though half the stuff in it I wouldn't do any way. This is not the kind of book where you can do everything it says in one day/week, but personally I've found that over time you shall keep coming back to it every once in a while. 3 stars for me
January 7, 2010
Fun stuff! I am particularly interested in the marshmallow dueling.
May 9, 2010
This book is really funny and has lots of things that you can do if you get bored. Every task has pictures showing you how to do it step by step.
2010 School visit
2010 School visit
June 23, 2010
A book of odds and ends things to do with your kids. I thought it was great! My kids are excited to see what we can accomplish/experiment with this summer.
January 10, 2011
My boys really enjoyed this one.
March 9, 2011
how too with details on so much you can do
how to do absolutely everything one step at a time
it is wonderful and the illustrations are great not lots of jargon but lots of pictures with
how to do absolutely everything one step at a time
it is wonderful and the illustrations are great not lots of jargon but lots of pictures with
September 24, 2011
This is a good book... it gives instructions to do the most amazing things a kid can possibly do. It's just an amazing book...!
November 9, 2023
I recall browsing this book with Miss Anna a few yars ago back in Sun Prairie, and encountered it again today. This book is totally browsable and full of lots of fun, random ideas.
April 8, 2012
Worth reading these book.
April 8, 2013
i learnt how to do a handstand with this book
Read
October 22, 2014goog but not so good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2017
lots of the steps are confusing
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews