The Can Do Series. Series editor Annie Davy. (Thomson Learning, 7.99 each, 020 7067 2500)
Reviewed by Penelope Leach
The most difficult thing about reviewing books from the 'Can Do' series has been keeping them on my desk. While I was reading Familiar Things by Sally Thomas (humbled to discover how many play activities for under-threes I hadn't already thought of), Serious Fun by Dynamix had been borrowed by someone planning a birthday party. And no sooner had I finished sharing Whatever the Weather by Jane Gallagher with a group of childminders than I discovered that Eco-Ventures by the Kids' Clubs Network had vanished - only to turn up on a nine-year-old's bed!
This series is a rich and practical resource for children and for all the adults who work and play with them in childcare or play settings, schools or homes. The books focus on three age groups - 0-3, 4-9 and 10-14 - and the four titles mentioned above are all those currently available for the first two age groups. More books aimed at under-threes are promised shortly.
The activities are fun for children without being daunting for adults. It is easy to judge how easy and quick each will be from brief, clear paragraphs headed 'What you might need', 'How you can do it' and 'Safety check'.
The books are not exclusively about the 'how to' of play activities but also about the 'why' - why play in general, and certain kinds of play, are valuable. There is a great deal to be learned about child development from the paragraphs headed 'Why we like it' and 'Spotlight (on children doing it)'.
Finally, the books have a consistently respectful attitude to children.
They acknowledge the importance of fostering good relationships within groups, and always prefer teamwork over competition.
When I get the next batch I shall hide them - or order extra copies.