This book has big, bright colourful pictures, and clear step by step instructions showing you how to make each pice of a pirate island.

It's the pictures that bring each step alive more than the written word, so would be helpful for any age do mater of there an accompanist reader or not!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a complementary digital copy of this ebook in exchange for a full, frank and honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Clay Craft: Pirate Island is a whimsical journey into the world of piracy and modelling clay.

Each of the figures - from pirates to mermaids to parrots to seals, landscape elements and the ubiquitous pirate ship- is well set out in a step=by=step guide with clear pictures and easy-to-follow directions for children to create their piratical realms. Note: As modelling clay is the primary medium used here, many designs incorporate recyclable elements like cardboard or bottles for structure. If you are using polymer clay that will be baked, please be mindful of these structural elements when working! A melted plastic bottle will not do you or your oven any favours!

Alongside the pirates - male and female - are descriptions of famous real pirates of both genders, to spark the imagination.

The author gives express permission for the reader to make the characters looks however they want, and allows for variance in the designs - which is fantastic for children who may have rigid thinking and get discouraged when their work doesn't look like the examples.

My daughter is a polymer clay artist, and this is a great resource she will use again and again.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

We used to play with modeling clay growing up and always just used our imaginations. We would have loved to have a book that tells you how to create an entire pirate island on your own!

The work begins with a couple paragraphs that suggest you draw your island, come up with a name, and think about the animals and people who might live there. Then of course, what about the pirates who stop by? This was such a fun way to start the work and went above and beyond what I was expecting out of it. The author suggests creating a treasure map that you slowly add to as you create new things for your island from clay. Then there are instructions for drawing out your island on a sturdier surface (like thick cardboard) and beginning to create it from clay.

The instructions were straightforward and worded in a way that younger readers would be able to follow along by themselves. Directions for both a male and female pirate were included, and there were eight short biographies about famous pirates. There was interesting information scattered throughout the book and some of the animals had a fun fact with the instructions. There were a few animals missing a fact though, which was a little odd. There were also instructions for mermaids/mermen, flamingos, a treasure cave, a seal, a pirate ship, and so much more! The author also added many creative tips for making the most from your clay, adding textures, and even using makeup to color your treasure.

I highly recommend this book for folks with younger kids in their lives. It would be an awesome project to do at home with your family or even to do in a smaller classroom if you’re a teacher (it’s recommended for children ages 6 to 13).

These crafts look amazing and so realistic! I doubt mine come out good at all, but I'm going to try!