Synergy: Do-It-Yourself

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) involves creating, modifying, or repairing things without the help of professionals. Coined in the early 20th century in the area of home improvement, today’s DIY projects include a wide range of topics that reflect growing interest in self-sufficiency. Makerspaces are an extension of this movement that often includes technology-based projects.

Read the recently published works of graphic nonfiction for youth, then learn more at the website.

The MAKER COMICS series combines the graphic novel genre with the step-by-step instruction of a DIY book. Books include FIX A CAR, BAKE LIKE A PRO, CREATE A COSTUME, DRAW A COMIC, and GROW A GARDEN.

SURVIVE IN THE OUTDOORS by Mike Lawrence is the latest release in the MAKER COMICS series. After a brief a safety reminder, readers follow siblings who are reluctant to leave their electronic devices for an outdoor adventure. From fishing and outdoor cooking to first aid and shelter, their grandfather helps them learn the basics of survival. The book concludes with additional tips.

Other upcoming titles in the series include CONDUCT A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT and LIVE SUSTAINABLY.

INSTRUCTABLES is a website containing endless DIY projects. Major sections of the website include circuits, workshop, crafts, cooking, living, outside, and teachers. The OUTSIDE area explores a wide range of outdoor project and contest ideas. The OUTDOOR SURVIVAL projects focus on activities such as filtering water, using a compass, and building shelter.

To visit Instructables, go to https://www.instructables.com/.

ARC courtesy of First Second, an imprint of Macmillan.

Two kids are spending the weekend with their grandpa who decides to take them to a remote fishing spot. He teaches them how to pack for a trip to a wilderness area, how to fish, how to make a fire and prepare fish for eating, basic knife and fire safety, how to prepare clean drinking water, how to poop in the woods, how to do emergency first aid when one of them slips and twists an ankle, and then how to build a shelter that is warm and water proof when the ankle prevents them from getting back to the car before dark.

This guide is focused on a wet and cool climate. It talks about hypothermia but not heat stroke, talks about tips to stay warm and dry, but not how to stay cool and preserve water. What it does cover, though, it does well. It does a great, detailed job teaching how to build a fire safely and a waterproof shelter. It also did a very thorough job showing how to set up a fishing line and fish. I am not someone who fishes, but I feel like I could at least give it a good attempt with these instructions. I really applaud Mike Lawrence for thinking of a way to talk about and show how to go bathroom in the woods safely that wasn’t awkward. (Grandpa demonstrates poop poses fully clothed for his worried grandson.) As someone who is first aid certified and the go-to first aid person on many school trips when the school nurse isn’t available, I thought the guide for taping a sprained ankle was a bit overkill. I tape ankles on a regular basis, and though what they showed may be “textbook” in real life you probably don’t need or want that much tape. (You can do more damage taking off that much tape if you don’t use pre-wrap, and if their foot swells more it may become more painful and even dangerous over several hours cutting off blood supply. But I’m sure to be safe they have to show the overkill method so there’s no possibility of being accused of showing a bad method.) Also, the kids should have put Grandpa's ankle in the stream for a bit to reduce swelling. They may not have had ice, but most streams are cold enough to mitigate the swelling. Overall, though, this was well done and is a very entertaining way to learn some important outdoor survival and camping skills.

Notes on content [based on ARC]: No language issues or sexual content. The preparing of a fish is shown without being gory.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As told by Mike Lawrence, Sophia and her younger brother Alonso are spending the weekend with Grandpa, who’s going to take them fishing. They just want to stay on their phones and video games, but he manages to involve them in preparing for their trip.

There’s an air of danger to all this. Typical of the series, the book starts with a page of warnings about staying away from things that can hurt you. But Grandpa reinforces the message with emphasizing what should be in a survival pack, even for a day trip in the woods. And it’s a good thing, as in this story, for educational purposes, lots happens to the hikers!

Lawrence keeps the story moving well, with relatable characters. The feeling between Abuelito and his grandkids is obvious, which provides a comforting grounding for the more dramatic events. Grandpa is big on understanding the regulations and doing things safely, which makes him an excellent guide and instructor.

I was pleased to see the concept of catching and killing a living creature is treated with respect. Grandpa tells Sophia “There’s no shame in feeling sad for killing an animal. But if you eat meat, this is where it comes from.” Later, Alonso says killing the fish wasn’t as fun as catching it, and Grandpa agrees, but reminds him he did it well by not having the animal suffer.

Backup pages cover how to dress for the outdoors, the danger of hypothermia, sharpening a knife, and using a cell phone in the wilderness. Maker Comics: Survive in the Outdoors! is an excellent starting point for a lot of sensible wilderness advice. It will be out next month.