I love sewing handmade gifts and toys for my children so I was excited to check out this book.

Overall this book has some fun projects and gives clear and detailed instructions for each of the projects.

However, some of the projects were downright adorable (like the baby shoes and rattles) and others bordered on the creepy (the animal backpacks). For other projects it was really hard to decipher what animal the author was even going for (the seal wash-mit was totally unidentifiable).

My other problem with this book is that it has a complete lack of joy and whimsy. All of the projects and all of the photos are heavy on muted colors light gray, tan, and dark brown. There is nothing bright or exuberant in this book. These muted colors will definitely appeal to a certain audience, but they didn't to me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Adorable ideas! There are projects here for all skill levels - beginner to advanced - and the directions are creative and easy to follow. Can't wait to try out some of these projects!

Nice beginner book with some really cute patterns. I think I will be using this book as a library program to teach some tweens how to hand sew. They would absolutely love the sloth pillow.

Adorable. These projects had me smiling and wishing I had more little ones to make these for. :) This charming book was a home run for me thank to the attractive layout, the simple directions and the whimsical projects. The first section is laid out as a "lookbook" with the projects all featured in fabulous photographs, and then the instructions are given for each later in the book. It's well illustrated and most of the projects can be executed by even a beginning sewer. Great fun.

I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

I thought this approach was very good, especially for a beginner to intermediate sewer. I really liked how the author went through each technique, each tool, each stitch and explained what it was, why she used it and which one she used or preferred and why. Great book!

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. These opinions are my own.

This is the perfect book for beginners as the projects are bold and simple. Full instructions are included for all the projects and templates to copy at the back. All the projects are for children and most could be adapted to your own tastes. Simple and basic.

The designs in this are absolutely adorable! I’ll definitely be making some of these for my son and maybe as presents for other children in the family. Would definitely recommend.

The general ideas presented in this book are really nice but definitely their design could be cuter especially that these are toys/room decor items/ backpacks for children. I also find it rather sac that that the templatez at the end of the book aren't printer friendly since they are thin lines on back background. I wouldn't recommend this book.

Animal Friends to Sew by Sanae Ishida is a detailed book full of fun little toys and items you can sew for children. This book gives basic information on how to get started sewing and then goes into more through detail with each specific item. This book shows you how to make cute animal pillows, blocks, beanbags, teething toys, backpacks, hooded towels, bath puppets and more. I have really enjoyed this book and would recommend this to anyone who wants to sew.