A Wintry Day at the Beach

One of the pleasures of life in Southern California is that we can go to the beach for a day’s respite all year ‘round--and with the crush of tourists and slacker college kids gone for the most part, December is a particularly good time to play hooky and head for the surf.

ONE SMALL SQUARE: SEASHORE written by Donald M. Silver and illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne (Scientific American Books for Young Readers / W.H. Freeman & Co.: $14.95), and SEASHORE by David Burnie (Dorling Kindersley: $9.95) are two fine books to bring along for the trip. Neither is an activity book per se, though both have suggested small projects to work on; rather, these are wonderful guidebooks that inspire young readers to become young explorers and really see their surroundings.

“One Small Square” is part of a series that literally encourages the reader to “capture” a tiny segment of the planet and examine it fully (other works in this excellent series cover the Arctic Tundra and caves). The book is a useful tool for defining and learning about an ecosystem. “Square’s” lessons cover the thousands of creatures who live in a timeless yet constantly dynamic environment. The writing is clear and well-supported by the art.

As is the work in “Seashore,” which, pardon the expression, covers much the same ground in a slightly different format: one or two paragraph “chapters” with thorough, extensive text in the captions.

“One Small Square” and “Seashore” have much to offer. It is difficult to recommend one over the other--get thee to a bookstore and look ‘em over. You just might spring for both.

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You don’t have to know a try square from a coping saw to have a good time with WOODWORKING FOR KIDS (Sterling Publishing: $12.95, paperback; $19.95, hardcover) but you better be prepared to labor and/or supervise a bit when you give this excellent, detailed work to your child. Author Kevin McGuire requires an adult guide--not a master carpenter--for many of the 40 projects, which range from a bike rack to adjustable stilts to a work bench. It’s a good excuse to master the basics alongside your child--all under the guise of “teaching.”

Each project comes with a materials list and all are easily identified as to skill level. The text is clear and works well with the copious photographs and illustrations. There’s also a strong emphasis on safety. All in all a worthwhile effort--and if you get lucky, the kid will build an apartment over the garage for his teen-age years.