ScrapKins: Junk Re-Thunk: Amazing Creations You Can Make from Junk!

by Brian Yanish, Brian Yanish (Illustrator)

Overview

A monster-themed activity book about recycling trash into toys and art projects!

Welcome to Scrap City, home of an inventive tribe of creatures called ScrapKins. Using materials that people throw away (empty soda bottles and cans, milk cartons, cereal boxes, and bottlecaps) these creatures make new things that are useful—the ultimate recyclers.

With character profiles of the ScrapKins and instructions to make all kinds of puppets, instruments, and toys out of everyday items, this activity book (also featuring mazes, word scrambles, and comics) fosters creativity and encourages eco-friendliness.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627791335
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	03/29/2016
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Brian Yanish has worked for Jim Henson Productions, trained as a special effects moldmaker, written and performed comedy, designed educational programs, and developed products for major children's brands. In 2006, he created the ScrapKins, an eco-friendly character property for kids based on his childhood drawings about a group of creatures that live in a recycling center and build their world out of the things people throw away.

Editorial Reviews

03/28/2016
One man’s trash is another man’s... monster truck. Illustrator Yanish urges kids to reuse items that might normally end up in the recycling or trash bin as he introduces six monsters called ScrapKins and the items they create (aka “scrap-vent”) in their junkyard home. Each ScrapKin presents several projects, such as a milk jug “Knight’s Helmet,” a parachuting monster made from a toilet paper tube and plastic bag, and a cereal box treasure chest. Between projects, Yanish includes comics, crossword puzzles, and humorous profiles of the ScrapKins. While the projects, which rely on similar items, begin to feel a bit repetitive, Yanish’s enthusiasm and the book’s eye-catching format offer abundant crafty inspiration. Ages 6–10. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"Underlying lessons relating to science, art, language, and history will spur the imagination and inspire kids to produce their own treasures. . . A great STEM-focused craft book for at-home rainy day fun."—School Library Journal

"One man's trash is another man's . . . monster truck. Yanish's enthusiasm and the book's eye-catching format offer abundant crafty inspiration."—Publishers Weekly

"Comics and puzzles pertaining to each monster are scattered throughout the book, though the main focus is crafting. The projects are of varying levels of complexity and can be created using recyclables and materials found at home, and the fictional narrative is an interesting way to keep children invested in the concept of recycling."—Booklist

“What a great centerpiece for Free Arts NYC's Kidfest event! Even with many other projects, the Scrap Kins house was a favorite for hundreds of kids. It is amazing what Brian and Scrapkins were able to do on such short notice and with recycled materials. The simplest things are always the most enjoyable.” —Liz Hopfan, Executive Director, Free Arts NYC

“The ScrapKins foster a new generation of conservationists who are committed to such principles as recycling and making "greener" choices about what they decide to purchase. Your professionalism in interacting with our visitors was exceptional. Your recycled bird feeders served to enhance our visitor's experience at the zoo, and helped make our event an outstanding success.” —Judy Frimer, Director, Marketing, Wildlife Conservation Society

From the Publisher

Recycled goods found around your home are the perfect materials to make fun, unique creations. So before you throw out your empty cereal box, milk jug or water bottle, pick up this book and teach yourself how to make your very own creative toys. Each project in Junk Re-Thunk is carefully described with detailed instructions, but some require adult assistance. You will be amazed at how an everyday milk jug is quickly transformed into a mask; a cardboard tube into a puppet; or a juice carton into a guitar. It’s exciting to see what can be created from everyday items normally put into the garbage or recycling. Readers will help keep the Earth clean and will also have fun creating these fun things with recycled materials. These projects will motivate and inspire young readers to create future items with unique materials. Readers will also meet the “Scrapkins,” challenge themselves to a maze or word scramble, and enjoy the silly comics in this title. This book is jam packed with fun, exciting, and creative activities for all. Reviewer: Lisette Baez; Ages 8 to 12.

Children's Literature - Lisette Baez

05/01/2016
Gr 3–5—This title is an open invitation to visit Scrap City, where multieyed monsters like Itcher and Stacker mingle with other personified characters created by author Yanish. As these unusual tutors (possible cousins of Jim Henson's Muppets) lead the way through piles of recyclable refuse materials, readers will be inspired to make useful items, such as a cereal box mailer and other fanciful toys and contraptions. Each of the 24 projects presented emphasizes fun. Underlying lessons relating to science, art, language, and history will spur the imagination and inspire kids to produce their own treasures. Word puzzles, mazes, and comics are interspersed in each of the five sections, which include a featured creature, illustrated "You Will Need" lists, step-by-step project instructions, and related activities: games, puzzles, and art. Kids will appreciate Swooper—a female hippolike creature with pink wings who is "part tech-geek, part scientific inventor" and a prominent citizen of Scrap City. VERDICT A great STEAM-focused craft book for at-home rainy day fun.—Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME

School Library Journal