The Handbook of Forgotten Skills: Timeless Fun for a New Generation

by Elaine Batiste, Natalie Crowley, Chris Duriez (Illustrator)

The Handbook of Forgotten Skills is an illustrated step-by-step guide to classic fun and handy skills for a new generation. Craft, cook, build, and play the old-school way, with easy-to-follow steps for hours of unplugged fun.Elaine Batiste and Natalie Crowley invite readers to discover how Tie knotsMake a bird feederWrite a thank-you noteMake a pieBuild a campfireUse a compassWrap a gift with brown paper and stringSew by handGrow tomatoesFix a flat bicycle tireMake refrigerator picklesSew buttonsMake lemonadeGrow and dry herbsMend a sockMake natural dyesSkip stonesStart quiltingPerform coin tricksMake an omeletFold paper airplanesExplore photography
Featuring art by Chris Duriez, each chapter includes clear, illustrated step-by-step instructions as well as information about the history of that skill. For example, did you know that lemonade is credited with helping fight the plague in Paris? Or that paper airplanes became popular during World War II because traditional toys weren’t available?With so many activities to explore, Handbook of Forgotten Timeless Fun for a New Generation is a perfect gift book that kids will turn to again and again.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Self Help, Education

112 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Kathryn]

I haven't read this word-for-word, but the whole idea makes me happy and I love the illustrations which are so lovely (especially the nature scenes) and feel at once nostalgic yet wonderfully inclusive thanks to its 2023 publication date. You'll learn some random skills, some of which seem a bit more "forgotten" than others (IMO) but all of which have that sense that your parents or grandparents might have done these very things when they were children -- it is my hope the authors and illustrator make them seem appealing enough that children of the 21st century will decide that at least some of them are worth pulling away from the screens for. I'm not sure how appealing mending socks or wrapping gifts in brown paper with string will be for most kids (no offense to my beloved Sound of Music!) but one hopes that performing coin tricks, making refrigerator pickles, tying knots and growing herbs might appeal. I also love that the authors include a bit of history behind the activities (did you know that transparent cellophane tape wasn't invented until 1930, hence the strings to tie the packages or that lemonade made its debut in Paris in August of 1630?) I look forward to reading it more thoroughly soon.

[Andi Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the activities and “forgotten skills” but I think a couple things were missing that are important. Hemming jeans or mending a hole in a pair of jeans is probably more of an applicable sewing skill than learning to quilt (if we’re talking about basic skills) or mending a sock. Not only reading a map, but making a map too. But that’s me letting perfect be the enemy of the good. There are so many wonderful activities for young people to try (sewing a button and making natural dyes), and those can encourage discovering and sharing other forgotten skills not mentioned, getting outside and spending more open ended time with our kids. : )

[little free rei-brary (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no greater joy than the giddiness of learning a cool new knot! It is so simple yet so cool and useful and fun and makes my brain work in the ways that potentially can reverse the rot!

[Pink Leaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, had some fun things in it. Seems like it would be a good series.

[Katie Cunningham]

A fun book for young ones to use! I love all the hand drawn visuals in this book.

[Lisa - *HowlBeSatReading*🐺 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book on a social media platform and it was a fascinating read - a bit of a trip down memory lane at times too!

This book is a clearly and brilliantly illustrated guide suited to both children and adults encouraging the reader to get back to basics in terms of entertainment and education.

I particularly enjoyed the outdoorsy parts explaining how to build camp fires, read a compass, maps and suchlike. Also it includes traditional activities such as sewing, mending and quilting.

I fear that some of the activities within this book are at risk at being ‘long gone’ for today’s children of the tech age, so this book is something quite precious. But then I’m a child from the 70’s so a lot of what’s within these pages were a standard part of my childhood, for which I am very thankful for!

Overall I think this book is a must have for every parent, but I think it would appeal to grandparents more as we’re of ‘a certain age’ and can recall how much enjoyment we had doing things that are no longer seen as ‘the in thing’.

From a child’s POV I would say this book is suitable for age 6 and over as some of the activities are definitely aimed at older children.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading through this handbook of life skills for kids. There are so many things it’s important to know how to do if you want to live sustainably or even just economically. Sewing on a button, tying a secure knot, making your own pie or pickles, drying your own herbs are a few of the more domestic ones. Fashioning a fishing pole, using a compass, skipping a stone shouldn’t be lost arts! And for fun, who doesn’t enjoy making a paper airplane? Kids with diverse skin tones model the skills in the charming artwork done with markers, pencils and watercolor paints. Instructions include a bit of history of the activity, and are very clear without being too wordy. There’s a table of contents, an index, a list for further reading, and a section called “More to Explore,” that suggests other skills not covered in the book. This is an excellent resource for internet-free weekends and vacations, or as a conversation starter with an older adult.

[Kelsey Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
This is the CUTEST kids book I have ever seen EVER! I did not realize it was a kids book when I put it on hold at my library, however it still has really great information on a lot of different skills. I took great notes on making natural dyes, different bird foods, and different types of campfires.
I will be asking for a copy of this book for Christmas because it is also a great coffee table book!

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book to re-introduce the smart phone generation to to skills and activities kids used to do before smart phone era. All sorts of things from building a campfire to cooking, baking, sewing, using compass or building a paper aeroplane. With lots of illustrations and easy step-by-step instructions. Highly recommended as a present for any child.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice art, and a wide variety of activities. An introduction, as the back matter admits. Would make a decent gift, but you might want to check your library copy first. Also ask your librarian for similar works; I know that there are bunches of them including the 'dangerous girls' etc.

[Reelika Kullerkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raamatus leidub päris asjalikke õpetusi nagu põhjalik nööbi ette õmblemine ja omleti küpsetamine, aga ka niisama meelelahutuslikke teadmisi nagu lutsu viskamise teadus.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming little book with gorgeous illustrations. This would make a great present.

[Emily Loves Books and Donuts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, can’t wait to share this with my niece and nephew. Some great basics just wish there were more!

[EmberJenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has cute illustrations and a simple, cheerful text. It's something I would have loved reading when I was young. :-)

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply a gem!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

wide variety of things. liked the "if you liked this, then you may also like this" at the back.

[John Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I didn't know how to do almost any of that stuff.

[Morgan Nyren · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! What a great book idea, loved the kid-friendly illustrations/tutorials.

[Hanne Schutte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk beginner boek of minder inspiratie

[Sophie - Kinderboekentips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geweldig!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book of lost skills.

[LeeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was full of things to try! I’m planning to dye a playsilk with natural dyes with my daughter. The page showing different options was great!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Need a copy for my bookshelf pronto. So grateful I could borrow one from the library.