Woodworker's Central Woodworker's Gazette Gazette Archive 2/19/00

A book review: By Wayne Arvidson Title: Scrollsaw Toy Projects Author: Ivor Carlyle Published by: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. 387 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016-8810 ISBN 1861080948 Price Softcover: $19.95 (Canada $27.95 ) If you have children in the UK that you want to make toys for, this is the book for you. All kidding aside, about the only downside to this publication is that the toys represent very English figures, and the supplier guide is wonderful if you re getting you're frequent flyer miles on Virgin Atlantic. This book was extremely well laid out and illustrated. As seems to be typical of the English authors, there is a fabulous tools and techniques section to open the subject up. This is followed by a great section on the materials used throughout the projects. The projects are very well thought out, with the steps clearly illustrated and articulated. The templates are very precise and marked up in both metric and inches. There are a lot of dimensions that are measured in 32nds of an inch due to the metric conversions (the book even contains a handy table in the appendix), so have some good measuring tools! All the templates are together, occupying about 68 pages on their own. He even includes a glossary for those of us that need help with the Queen s English. Overall, an extremely well done book and worth the price. With a little imagination on the paint schemes to fit your particular geography, there are definitely a number of these projects you ll be working on in time for Christmas gift-giving. Wayne Arvidson Editor's Note: Sterling Publishing has graciously donated several books for review which are passed on to our members free of charge in exchange for thoughtful, honest reviews. Thank You!