The Bottom Line
A to Z Treasure Hunt is meant for kids but will give grown-ups creative fun too. Each page has something for you to do, such as finding a bandage to stick on Humpty Dumpty's sore head or painting the dots on a Dalmatian.
Whether you follow the activity on a page exactly or merely use it as a starting point is, of course, up to you. And that is what will make the end result different for everyone.
Pros
- An alphabetic excuse to play with paint and have fun with glue as you do the activity on each page.
- Each page wants you to complete it, whether by finding an object to stick in or paint/draw something
- Fun for all ages. Will work with young children with some help.
Cons
- On the pricey side (£7/US£15/Can$18) especially if you do all the pages in a day.
- Once you've added to all the pages the book won't stay closed; tie a ribbon around it.
Description
- Written and illustrated by artist Alice Melvin. View sample pages on her website www.alicemelvin.com.
- Published by the Tate Publishing (of the Tate Gallery). Small format paperback (6.5x6.5"). ISBN 978-1-85437-755-5. 32 pages.
- Printed on thicker-than-usual paper so it'll stand up to the addition of paint and glued-in items. Matte paper, not glossy.
Guide Review - Book Review: A to Z Treasure Hunt by Alice Melvin
The pages of the A to Z Treasure Hunt have something for you to do themed from A to Z. If you've got glitter, sequins, or stamps you could stick these in, but if you haven't you could paint or draw them (or find something suitable in a magazine to tear out and stick down). Some pages require more of you than others, for instance T wants you to create a treasure map, whereas S would have you sticking sequins on a snake, and Y creating a self-portrait (Y for You).
How much you do, or rather the level to which you take each idea, will depend on your age. For instance, would you stick in a King of Hearts card or design your own card in the space? It's a creative book that should provide some fun no matter what your age (well, except for cynical teens I would then challenged to produce an 'alternative' version of each page). It'll work well for daily activities for a holiday, and for a group activity too (though I'd suggest someone sourced the materials needed beforehand to keep things happening).
Printed on matte paper in muted colors, A to Z Treasure Hunt makes a pleasant visual change from the overly bright colors of so many creative project books. It also means that the artwork on the pages shouldn't totally dominate what you add.
