Activities Galore!

For girls interested in learning how to make an "enchanted choker," a "bijou box" or a "spotted scarf," Bead Girl: 25 Sparkly Beading Projects from Tiaras to Toe Rings by Mikyla Bruder, photographs by David Magnusson, is the book for them. The covered spiral-bound book includes step-by-step instructions, a color photograph of the end results and over 500 beads and enough material for 10 projects. (Chronicle, $18.95 68p ages 8-up ISBN 0-8118-3038-1; May)

Grab a balloon and The Ultimate Balloon Book: 46 Projects to Blow Up, Bend & Twist by Shar Levine and Michael Ouchi for hours of fun. After a quick overview of balloon types, safety tips and techniques, the volume offers step-by-step diagrams of how to create a dog, a stegosaurus and a guitar. Chapters titled "Wearable Balloons" and "Fun and Games with Balloons" give hints about what's in store. (Sterling, $9.95 paper 96p ages 8-up ISBN 0-8069-2959-6; June)

With two additions to the Quick Starts for Kids! series, Kids' Easy Knitting Projects by Peg Blanchette, illus. by Marc Nadel, and Kids' Easy Quilting Projects by Terri Thibault, illus. by Heather Barberie, older children can learn how to knit "cozy-toe slippers" or sew a quilted "Tic-Tac-Toe on the Go!" Detailed diagrams of the stitches appear in each book as well as step-by-step instructions; patterns needed for the quilting projects are also included. (Williamson, $7.95 each paper 64p ages 9-12 ISBN 1-885593-48-1; -49-X; May)

For those stuck inside, Zany Rainy Days: Indoor Ideas for Active Kids by Hallie Warshaw, photography by Morten Kettel, offers a variety of activities, from "Hallway Bowling," "Flashlight Monsters" and "Lip-Synch Singer" to a "Mexican Piñata." (Sterling, $19.95 128p ages 7-11 ISBN 0-8069-6623-8; May) Readers learn how to play "Fourteen Out," "Captive Queens" or "Klondike" in Lucky 13: Solitaire Games for Kids by Michael Street, illus. by Alan Tiegreen. Offering over 65 ways to play, the volume provides step-by-step directions, strategies, variations and diagrams showing cards in play for each game. Basic and advanced two-pack games are also included. (North-South/SeaStar, $14.95 128p ages 8-12 ISBN 1-58717-013-2; $6.95 paper -014-0; May)

Over 1,000 riddles, jokes, facts and puzzles in Ha! Ha! Ha! by Lyn Thomas, illus. by Dianne Eastman, invite readers to laugh and learn. For example, on a spread of "Lost in Space" riddles, readers learn why it is impossible for astronauts to cry in space (lack of gravity won't let the tears flow). Eastman's b&w cartoon and collage illustrations heighten the fun. (Owl [Firefly, dist.], $19.95 128p ages 6-9 ISBN 1-894379-15-2; $9.95 paper -16-0; May)

In the follow-up to Optical Illusion Magic, Michael DiSpezio presents more mind-boggling tricks in Eye-Popping Optical Illusions. The author simply explains the science of illusion throughout and offers directions on how to make different optical devices (e.g., "Fantascope," which creates the illusion of motion, and "Anaglyphs," which create 3-D illusions), with artwork that can be photocopied to get industrious kids going. (Sterling, $17.95 80p ages 8-12 ISBN 0-8069-6641-6; May)

Create!: A Sketchbook and Journal by Katherine Revoir is a spiral-bound notebook of lined and illustrated pages for those who want to start a journal, but need encouragement and inspiration. For example, one page prompts writers to "Design your dream house. It can be a cabin, a castle, a tree house... even a shoe." Eight colored pencils fit into a plastic pouch on the cover. (Chronicle, $14.95 96p ages 9-12 ISBN 0-8118-2784-4; June)

For a look at one imaginative artist's process and talent, youngsters can open Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook by Alison Inches. Early scribbles, posters, storyboards, and set and puppet designs show all sorts of creatures (e.g., "The La Choy Dragon" and "Taminella Grinderfall"), as well as the first inception of characters that would later become famous—including drawings of Kermit the Frog, Big Bird and a purple (!) Oscar the Grouch. (Abrams, $24.95 128p all ages ISBN 0-8109-3240-7; May)

Girl Power

A trio of titles in a new series, Flavia Girl by Lisa Weedn, illus. by Flavia Weedn, sets out to empower adolescent girls. Getting Real: Listening to My Heart and Finding Peace with Who I Am encourages teens to explore their thoughts with textual and visual prompts. Sections include "Emotional Rescue" and "The Guy Groove." Finding My Groove: Who I Am and Where I'm Going follows the same format but asks readers to contemplate the future. A horoscope helps teens find their ideal date's sign and an envelope bound into the inside back cover includes a preprinted letter addressed to the woman that the reader will become, with room for tucking in special memorabilia. Just Hangin' Out: Chick Chat Between Best Friends encourages pals to record together the good times, notes for constructive improvement, plus favorite song lyrics, poems, experiences and more; an envelope for mementos appears at the back. (Cedco, ages 13-up each, Getting Real $9.95 paper 144p ISBN 0-7683-2236-7; Groove $14.95 64p -2237-5; Hangin' Out $14.95 60p -2238-3; May)

Girl Director: A How-To Guide for the First-Time Flat-Broke Film Maker (and Video Maker) by Andrea Richards, illus. by Elizabeth McCallie, is filled with information for aspiring film makers, with advice on everything from choosing a genre ("Movie Madness—Deciding What Type of Movie to Make") to learning the basics ("Getting to Know [and Love] Your Equipment") to showing off the work at its best ("An Editrix's Guide to Easy Editing"). A hip design incorporates film stills, historical tidbits and quotes from experienced women filmmakers past and present. (Girl Press [323-822-0044], $17.95 paper 128p ages 12-up ISBN 1-931497-00-1; May)

Tales for Teens

The hero of Trino's Choice returns for Trino's Time by Diane Gonzales Bertrand. After losing two friends (one was killed, one went insane resulting from a robbery), Trino "walked around with a gut full of loneliness." Slowly, he begins to cope and to take charge of his life while learning about a Tejano hero named José Antonio Navarro in history class and receiving help from friends. (Arte Publico/Piñata, $14.95 170p ages 12-up ISBN 1-55885-316-2; $9.95 paper -317-0; June)

Adolescent outsiders are the subject of On the Fringe, a collection of 11 short stories by well-known YA authors, edited by Donald R. Gallo. Joan Bauer describes confronting the "jock flock" who have a bonding ritual called, "Get the Geeks" and M.E. Kerr demonstrates the determination of Brian, nicknamed "Mousey," to show everyone he isn't a loser. Other authors include Jack Gantos, Chris Crutcher and Angela Johnson (Dial, $17.99 240p ages 12-up ISBN 0-8037-2656-2; May)