Great Colonial America Projects: You Can Build Yourself

Build it Yourself

by Kris Bordessa

Great Colonial America Projects You Can Build Yourself introduces readers ages 9–12 to colonial America through hands-on building projects. From dyeing and spinning yarn to weaving cloth, from creating tin plates and lanterns to learning wattle and daub construction. Great Colonial America Projects You Can Build Yourself gives readers a chance to experience how colonial Americans lived, cooked, entertained themselves, and interacted with their neighbors.

Genres: American History

118 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

I’ve been a freelance writer for a dozen years or more and have authored several books. A conversation with a friend got me thinking about creating a blog. I wanted to help readers take small steps toward a more self-reliant lifestyle, embracing some of the vintage skills that have been lost over the past few generations.

I launched Attainable-Sustainable.net in 2011 to answer the question: What if we could tackle one little actionable step each day to start working toward a more self-reliant lifestyle?

That blog has morphed into a beautiful book published by National Geographic Books in March, 2020 which earned the Best How-to Book of 2020 from the American Society of Journalists and Authors

The book covers diverse topics such as food preservation, gardening, raising small livestock, creating a homemade pantry, and crafting non-toxic home care products.

I've lived in Hawaii with my husband and two sons since 2005. I know you're imaging a hammock and a mai tai right about now, but ::spoiler:: there's laundry and dishes to do in paradise.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book for the ideas/concepts...but
some of the culturally related topics still appear to be stereotypical as opposed to culturally sensitive;

The book features historical biographies, unique projects that tie in with the historical events of the Colonial Times, most of them are easy enough for an 8 year old, to a 13 year old, without appearing childish or simple.
The book is divided into 8 chapters. Included in each are some of my particularly favorite activities;
-Kids (make their own toys)
-Clothing (finger weaving)
-Communication (DIY printing press, which is cool)
-Life and Jobs (DIY Fire Rattle)
-Farms and Garden ( DIY Applesauce)
-Home (DIY Bricks)
-First Americans (I wish I could say something positive about it...)
-History Introduction

If you are a teacher, librarian, homeschool parent, or love of history and are a visual learner, this is a good "intro" to Colonial History.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great projects and games to supplement a class on colonial American history.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun projects and interesting information regarding colonial times.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book of crafts from colonial times!