The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections

This is a great book, necessary for every family's home library. When I was considering buying it, I had some hesitations because I would say my family is already pretty creative. We almost always have at least one individual in our family creating, crafting or pretending, and we almost never have our television on (only for movie nights -- we don't have cable or even "bunny ears"). But I went ahead and bought it because of the great reviews, and I have to say, I wish I'd done it sooner. I love the ideas for craft projects Soule has included and how easy it is to understand her directions.For myself, I think my biggest inspiration came from the chapter on organization. One of my children was sick the week I read this book, and I was stuck at home. I wanted to try all the projects Soule had written about, but couldn't go out to buy some of the missing supplies. So I organized according to many of Soule's suggestions and the result was great!I think every family needs to read this because, as other reviewers state, it's more than just a craft book -- it's a whole philosophy. We desperately need to "turn off and tune in" to each other more, and this book really promotes that idea.Personally, I was also encouraged as I read the first part of the book where Soule discusses how she felt like she wasn't very creative or artistic growing up, but she had this driving need to create that she felt when pregnant with her first child. I had felt all of that, but didn't think I could. Now I only wish that her book had come out sooner. Just this year I have resolved to learn things like sewing and knitting, hoping to be able to make most -- if not all -- my gifts. "The Creative Family" makes me feel like that just might be attainable.

You may think this is an arts and crafts book. But really, it's a parenting guide. Though it's filled with things you can do with your children, it also brings out the kid in you, and in the process helps you become a better mom or dad. The activities involve getting dirty with your kids, going outside and finding things like cool leaves and bugs, or drawing with crayons. Most are best suited for families with preschool- through elementary-aged kids.The book is divided into four sections, each with three chapters:Part One: Gathering1. Preparing Your Creative Mind2. Gathering Materials3. Being ResourcefulPart Two: Playing4. Encouraging Imagination5. Supporting Your Young Artist6. Sharing the Tradition of HandmadePart Three: Living7. Exploring Through Nature8. Capturing Moments9. Everyday RitualsPart Four: Connecting10. Celebrating Your Family11. Handmade Holidays12. Creative ConnectionsAt the end of the book, a six-page resource guide lists other books and websites on the same topics.Even though my daughter is 14, we both found this book worthwhile. For example, we set up a Nature Table. Before, all the tiny miracles we brought home in our pockets ended up in the trash. Now we have a spot. At the moment it has a handful of seashells, three skate egg cases, some hot pink sea whips, an orange sponge and a sparkly rock she snared last week on a trip with her dad out to the Grand Canyon.

"The Creative Family" is really, very simply, a sweet, gentle, and dear book on family traditions and togetherness.Most of the ideas in this book were not new to me. In fact, much of it could be written about my actual family life. If you are familiar with the Waldorf tradition, and books such as "You are your child's first teacher", "The Children's Year" and "All Year Round", "Heaven on Earth", or some of the other little "Waldorfy" craft books out there, then many of the ideas in "The Creative Family" will not be new to you, either.But I don't think that "being new" is the most important thing about this book. I think that it is really fantastic that Amanda Soule has taken many of these tried-and-true (perhaps less well-known/mainstream) ideas about parenting, family life, and creativity, and blended them together into one simple, easy to read, compact and easy to reach for, updated resource.The photography is really beautiful, and the projects are all simple enough to be done by a pre-schooler (some with more help than others).This is more than a project book, however (in fact, I would not even describe it as being a project book). It is more about a way of life -- taking a step back, learning that a "no" really can be a "yes," and so on. Her thoughts about toys were excellent -- again, exactly what our family has already practiced since our first child was quite small -- but, in observing so many of my friends with young children, ideas that would help many an overwhelmed family learn to say "no" to too much stuff.I was most inspired by her tips on art supplies -- a good comprehensive list of supplies, along with tips on their storage. It's one thing that I don't think we had a good system for before, and I will definitely be incorporating some of her ideas into our life.This book is a gem. It's small and simple. It suggests simple steps that any family can take to make their lives more family-centered and joyful.

As I read this book (in two days, and now I'm starting over again), I just kept thinking, "Wow." Wow because this is simple family living, which I hope to have. Wow because of the peace which seems an underlying theme throughout the ideas and examples. Wow because the photographs, which the author took herself, are stunning. Wow because the projects and ideas, far from anything I'd read or heard before, are doable and exciting. And wow because the author sounds like a best-friend/mentor, gently coaxing and leading to new ideas.The only thing I thought it was missing was the Daddy side of things - what's his role in all this creating?Otherwise, exactly (and more than) what I was looking for, and I was surprised by how much of the book I plan to apply immediately! My inspiration wire is hanging as I type :-)

Love her inspiration.

Libro in inglese ma di facile comprensione.Ottime idee, ricco di illustrazioni e suggerimenti per giocare in casa con i propri bambini..quando fuori piove!

I'm really surprised by the mixed reviews of this book. I bought it about a year ago and having read it from cover to cover in the first week, have referred to it often since.Amanda has such an encouraging tone. In the past I often aimed too high with kids craft projects, meaning that they become a 'special occasion' activity when I've had time to pick a project, buy all the materials and set half a day aside to do it on my day off. For times you want a 'wow' activity with beautiful results, there are lots of resources online. Amanda's style is much more low key - about squeezing bits of creativity into every day. This is especially useful for me as a working mother, as based on ideas from this book me and the children often go for nature walks after my work, paint in the mornings, do some simple embroidery when we have a spare half hour...This book is full of lovely ideas and well, well worth the cover price in my opinion. Love the blog too.

I love reading this book. It's full of inspiration, love for children and creativity.We will surely try out several projects.

This book is by the blogger Amanda Soule from Soulemama. It is a honest representation of the creative activities that she engages with her kids on a daily basis, which she portrays on her blog. So if you like her blog then you will like this book. Some who do not like her blog may find this book a bit pretentious as her lifestyle may look that she has all the time and energy in the world to pursue all those creative activities with the kids. In the real world, we are all pressed for time so this book acts as a reminder for me that I want to do more crafts with kids so I allocate time for it in my diary. The projects in the book are easy and suitable for small kids and bigger kids. All in all, a nice inspiration book full of crafty ideas.