Child Art... is organized in a way that encourages accessibility and creativity. Throughout the book, projects are described with simple instructions on how to get started and suggestions for variations and extensions. The first two-thirds of the book is devoted to art experiences which develop familiarity with basic art elements: Lines and Designs, Colours, Shapes and Spaces, Textures and Impressions, Forms. The last third of the book is divided into two sections. "Combinations and Compositions" helps students develop harmonious compositions. "Explorations and Transformations" shows students how to make use of accidents and "mistakes," an important step in the creative problem-solving process.

Both in its visual appearance and text, the book proclaims its championship of everyday materials. Coil-bound between covers of recycled cardboard, the brown paper pages are illustrated with both simple printed images and coloured reproductions of actual children's artworks which appear to have been cut out and glued in by hand. Projects consistently emphasize the use of inexpensive and recycled materials. Interesting for Canadian readers are the instructions for how to use local Indian media like newspaper sticks, straw, mud, and vegetable dyes. Several projects emphasize the importance of working with authentic imagery from local culture and folk traditions, rather than adopting stereotypes from the media.

Although this book has a few drawbacks for North American art educators (it discourages, for example, the study of "great artists" because that may prove boring or intimidating), it nevertheless has many strengths. Child Art... should prove to be a good resource for parents and teachers who want to supplement standard art experiences with a very exploratory approach to media. It will also provide excellent ideas for teachers, working in a social studies context, who want to create "real" contemporary Indian art with their students. Older children, of course, will want to use this book on their own.

Recommended.