I'm really not sure what to think about the "First Art Kit." It is certainly an interesting idea, but I just can't figure out who the audience should be. It doesn't seem to be geared towards those interested in paper crafting. The projects are of almost identical technique and design. So maybe the goal really is to reach people who are looking for more of an art therapy outlet? Each project has a little self-help-like intro, but they struck me as a little trite.

Overall, I don't think this really hits the target for any specific audience. It seems like a deeply personal project for the author.

A final note: the review copy I received courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley was not in color. I certainly would not recommend this title in black and white.

First Art Kit is a tutorial guide with papercraft projects by Boo Paterson. Released 11th May 2021 by Simon & Schuster on their Tiller Press imprint, it's 160 pages and is available in hardcover format.

This is a fun and quite useful and uplifting book of affirmational projects. They are arranged in project chapters which each contain a complete tutorial. Each includes tools and supplies, necessary templates, a finished picture of the completed project, and step by step instructions. The projects range from whimsical to profound, but all are creatively done and will give readers ample scope for uplifting crafting time with the aim of reducing stress and improving mental health.

Completely aside from the finished products, there is a lot of value to be found here in the skills and learning process and instructions in the 25 tutorials. Tools and supplies are minimal, easily accessible, and will already be available for most crafters. The supplies include things like pencils, pens, tape, glue, various papers, cutting implements like craft knives, x-acto, cutting mats, straight edge, and similar.

There are several of the projects which I really love and want to make for myself or friends. I love the writing prompts and the letter and decorated envelop, the stand-up stage diorama, the cut out phoenix and many others. There are quite a number of these which would be great for therapy or sessions with kids or in a patient type setting (obviously closely supervised). The techniques can also be used for many other crafting projects. I love that the full size templates for each project are *contained in the relevant chapter*! (Seriously, why don't most books do this?).

Four stars. Well written and informative.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

First, the tough parts: if you (I?) can get past these two little niggling things, this title would be in the "BUY" column for sure! Number one: I received a pre-pub e-draft of this book to review (yay!), but as such, I was not able to complete any of the projects, and I can not speak to how challenging (or not) they are, whether the instructions are clear enough to follow, etc. (@TillerPress, would it be possible to share one pattern for review purposes?) Number two: The subtitle could be a little more clear. "25 Creative Papercraft Remedies for What Ails You" seems like the projects might include creations for bladder stones or the flu -- I mean, I would really want to see that! "25 Papercraft Remedies to Uplift, Explore, and Inspire" might be more accurate and still attractive to buyers.

These are not deal-breakers for me, however, because the book is filled with projects that can be completed with very little investment in supplies (particularly for those who are already crafters!). A 3-D "explosion" to put next to your bed, reminding you to clear your mind of worrying thoughts and anxiety in order to have a more restful sleep? YES! A paper doll chain as a visual reminder that you have the power to surround yourself with good people and create your own "family"? OKAY! An origami-like leaping fish, as the Buddhist symbol for freedom, happiness, and well-being? LET'S MAKE AN OCEAN!

Do I want to make every single project in the book? No, but there are more than enough great ones to keep me busy for a while. As other reviewers have mentioned, some of them seem like they would be fun to do with a group of people. Imagine ten people each creating a 3D gramophone, and putting them on display (in a public library? a church or house of worship? a high school display window?) as a reminder to ask for help when you need it, and that someone is ready to listen -- brilliant!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tiller Press for sharing this upcoming title with me!

A fun book for the papercrafters, both novice and advanced. There are several projects I’d like to try with my adult crafting group!

A fun book that's part therapy, part art project.

First Art Kit is a collection of self-help tips that Boo Paterson gathered through various types of therapy. Each tip is accompanied by a papercraft project that aligns with whatever change you should be making in your life/thinking. The projects have a goal of helping you think about your new strategy (based on the tip), as well as getting you into a state of flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I think that the tips are good and many of them will apply to many people. The papercraft projects are a bit of a mixed bag; some of them I don't think I would actually enjoy doing (making a "Me 1st" ribbon), but others are fun and beautiful (making a papercut tree out of book pages).

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy crafting as an approach to self-care or people who would like to try that out. I think you get the most out of it when both reading the strategies and doing the crafts.

I received the electronic arc of this book and I never printed/traced the patterns for the crafts out to do myself. That said when I started going through this book I did a 2D version of the crafts in a notebook while following along until the crafts became too complicated for that medium. That said this book appears incredible. I started out reading each section and appreciated the topic, introduction, first steps, first art kit remedy, and reading over the associated craft. As I said I attempted to follow along in a notebook and then just skimmed along the rest. Whether you're interested in paper crafts (folding and cutting) or looking for your own version of a book to make you feel better (it is a first aid art kit) I'd recommend looking into this.

I thought this book was a really cute concept, and I liked how all the papercrafts tied in with each thought patterns they went a long with. A lot of the discussions on what causes different mental health problems seemed over-simplified, but this book was more about using the projects as a kind of art therapy rather than explaining why you might be feeling a certain way.

I LOVE this book! I love the concept, I love the premise, I love the activities, I love everything it tries to do and more. I will definitely be looking for a hard copy to purchase and can see myself sending to friends as a gift.

Each chapter in the book focuses on a "self-help" topic (As an aside, I am NOT a fan of "self-help" books - it was the quirky idea of the craft project, plus the pep-talk, plus the seamless blending of short passages, lots of photos, and gorgeous end products that hooked me in and kept me reading ... and creating!). There is a brief introduction, picture of the final product, and an explanation about the topic being addressed, followed by "first steps" to help overcome the issue, and then an artistic way to represent the "cure." A simple list of tools needed and the method to achieve the final product are the practical pages, and it's all capped off with a pattern to use to accomplish the task. Most projects just include cutting and pasting - my only "complaint" is that the cutting is quite intricate at times and for me, I couldn't quite get the precision needed. I also lost patience while trying a couple because the cutting and weeding got tedious. My final products didn't usually look quite as polished and professional as the samples, but the time spent making them was quite therapeutic and definitely a good time for reflection... and sometimes healing.

This is definitely intended for a niche market. But for those in the target demographic, it's exceptionally creative and unique.

I wasn't a big fan of this book. My ARC was all in grayscale and I really hope it's not a black, white and gray book in the final version. We crafters and artists tend to be very visual people and the effect was just kind of dreary, which is the last thing I'm looking for in a book that's supposed to help pick me up.

The crafts are all intricate paper cutting crafts. It's recommended to use a scalpel and cutting mat. They are kind of cool, but I mistakenly thought it would offer a variety of crafts. That's my fault, but I'm just not a paper cutting kind of crafter. Each craft starts with a few paragraphs about the topic (like the evils of comparison, or getting along with siblings) and then some advice, and then there's a craft to help reinforce the lesson. They are pretty cool if you like cutting out intricate paper sculptures. I don't really, but I'd recommend it highly if that's something you enjoy.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

This book isn’t really about crafting. It’s about combating emotional and psychological strife through the process of creating something. The author is not a therapist or licensed medical practitioner, but someone who has been through many struggles and is sharing what helped them wade through the storm. For someone needing professional help this is certainly no substitute, but for someone going through life’s usual ups and downs this type of ‘I’ve been there, and this is what helped me...’ approach could be really beneficial.

The included paper crafting projects range from simple to intermediately complex, and I think someone with little artistic skill could begin with the simpler projects and learn enough to progress through the entire book. Each project has a central theme that I think is universal, such as dealing with bullying, being your own champion and working on forgiveness. The step-by-step crafts are preceded by advice on overcoming the particular adversity, and include templates that can be printed and cut out. The book includes a photo of the finished craft, but I think a few photos showing the craft in progress, especially during the more difficult stages, would be helpful for a novice artist. When your craft has been completed, you’ll have a tangible reminder of your accomplishment that will hopefully provide you with some relief the next time you’re feeling down.

As a teacher, I think this could be really useful in a classroom setting. I’m always looking for different ways to help my students channel negative emotions into a more positive learning experience. Here’s my only real caveat of the book - some of the projects require very sharp tools, like craft knives and scalpels. I understand this from a paper crafting perspective but should people in a state of distress be encouraged to use them?

You had me at paper, glue, scissors, and creativity is all that’s needed! This is a book filled with 25 different arts and crafts ideas that will surely please those bored children, or the boredom from being housebound from this stifling pandemic. These are not difficult crafts to do, and most people will have most, if not all, supplies needed in their home already, or can obtain them quickly and without breaking the bank at any dollar store. This is exactly what is needed to help pull people away from electronics and back to finding the joy of their own creative self in today’s day and age.

Thank you so much for to NetGalley, Tiller Press, and Boo Paterson for providing an ARC of this creative crafting guide in exchange for my honest opinions!

I would use the ideas in this book for examples in a classroom setting. It is a wonderful book for someone who is coping with depression, in the mist of a life change, or just needs a pick me up. This book comes with wonderful and transforming ideas. You will need scissors and glue, which they tell you through out the book, to make things that you can put on your bathroom mirror, or set on your desk. Also, it comes with things to cut out and fill in, once you think about what is being prompted to think about. I would recommend this to anyone and I really want to buy this and enjoy it at home when it comes out.

A decent enough arts and crafts book, I suppose. Personally I didn't gain a lot from it in terms of creative inspiration. I recognize that a lot of crafts have been done and pinterest-ed so much that there's no room for "new stuff", but usually I like to see a least a few different takes on classic projects to help liven up a book. This one didn't offer that, and left me wanting.

However, I very much appreciate all the little tid bits of self-care advice and encouragement that are sprinkled throughout the chapters. These are what make this book worthwhile.

Ultimately, I think this could've been a different kind of book. Rather than an art book, it might have been better served as a book that focuses on self-care, with a sprinkling of art ideas, rather than the other way around.