Sort-Of-Difficult Origami: (Origami)

Butterflies, speedboats, and penguins, who would have thought so much could be made out of paper? These step-by-step guides offer origami projects with a range of difficulty levels. Clear illustrations of folds and photos of the finished product are included in each fun project.

Review :
As the title implies, this isn't for novices. Still, basic information is included, and the mostly animal-themed projects that result are well worth the effort.-- "Booklist, "Top 10 Crafts Books for Youth"" Each volume includes easy-to-follow instructions and clear photos for creating several different origami projects. The books progress in difficulty, with Not-Quite-So-Easy offering simpler projects than Sort-of-Difficult. Both titles include folding techniques and origami "fun facts." Projects are suitable for children with some origami experience.-- "Horn Book" As the name implies, this origami title is not for novices. Still, newcomers to this ancient paper art will find some basic explanations about materials and folding techniques in the introduction to this picture-book series title. On spreads that combine color photos with line drawings, the instructions move through each step involved in creating the mostly animal-themed projects, and visual arrows indicating the direction of folds add further clarity. The final images of the finished animals in appropriate settings, such as the paper penguins skating on what resembles real ice, add some whimsy, and a glossary and suggested reading round out the title. Nimble-fingered practitioners who master these projects will want to move on to Difficult Origami, another title in the Origami series; novices should probably try Not-Quite-So-Easy Origami.-- "Booklist" The classic art of origami is continued in this next book in the "Origami" series where children and adults alike will have hours of fun learning and mastering this ancient Japanese craft. Alexander includes a description of materials that can be used for the origami projects, a page with detailed photographs that illustrate the basic folds needed and a page diagramming the folding symbols. The moderately difficult projects begin with a fox mask that can be used as a hand puppet. The ornament and masu box and insert are projects that require multiple sheets of paper and patience and time to complete. The water bomb is a fun project that can turn into a die, ornament or ball. The tulip and stem, fancy goldfish, seal and penguin models are included to challenge the reader, but are also stunning projects. "If your model doesn't turn out the way it should, don't worry. Crumple it up and tell your friends you've made a basketball," Alexander so aptly states for the reader. This book includes models that are not for beginners, but readers with a lot of patience who have mastered the basics of origami. Fun facts about origami, table of contents, glossary, index and resource pages including Internet links and books add to the value of this book.-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database" There is an easy-to-follow introductory section to teach basic folds and folding symbols for there are as many as 24 steps involved with the seal model! For those that are ready, another title in the series is Difficult Origami.-- "Teacher Librarian" These four books will take children ages 8 and older through steps to complete origami designs. Each volume begins with an introduction, a materials page, and a how-to page that contains photos and written instructions for practicing the variety of folds used throughout the book. The books explore a range of objects to make, from a simple paper cup in the Easy volume to a crested bird in the Difficult book. Every project has color photos of the steps with caption instructions below and a picture of the finished product. Many of my third-grade students had success with Easy Origami and Not-so-Easy Origami. Paper cups, bookmarks, and a few airplane models were evident all over our classroom. Students followed the directions without teacher assistance and instructed one another. I am sure they could advance to the more difficult editions with more practice and a little patience. Those with origami experience would probably enjoy starting with the advanced-level texts. These books would be wonderful for an enrichment or extension activity after studying geometry. The origami books would also work well in an after-school program or camp-- "Teaching Children Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics"