Comments about No Starch Press Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred:

I had the privilege of reviewing a newly released book by David Erik Nelson called "Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred". The cover is a bit geeky for me but the title "Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred" sounds excitingly dangerous and fun!

I love books with step-by-step, illustrated instructions and this book comes with 24 quirky DIY projects that we can try on!

The book is categorised into 3 parts: Kid Stuff in which the skills taught include basic sewing, carpentry, and electronics, Electro-Skiffe Band which is an all music projects and requires slightly more advanced carpentry and soldering skills and The Locomotivated which is dedicated to flying and projectile toys.

Some of the projects however are too advanced for me, especially those under the Electro-Skiffe Band part. For example, the "x-Ray Talking Drum" project requires tools and supplies which are much more difficult for me to obtain, such as a large X–ray and a miter box.

I do love the fact that the projects in this book are designed to cost $10 or less and include kid-friendly crafts such as my favourites which are "The Sock Squid", "Cardboard Boomerangs" and "FedEx Kites", all of which are made of products which can be found in our home and does not costs much at all!

David Erik Nelson is a freelance writer and former high school teacher. His fiction has been nominated for a Nebula award and has appeared in Asimov's, The Best of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, and the forthcoming Steampunk Reloaded anthology. He developed the projects in this book at an alternative school, with plenty of feedback from his students. He is a contributor to the "Ask the Giant Squid" advice column at Poor Mojo's Almanac(k), a weekly online literary journal.

In my opinion, this book is a good choice for parents or teachers who would like to try their hands on craft works which do not costs much and at the same time wants to learn useful skills in sewing, carpentry, electronics, and soldering.

I was provided with a soft copy of the book by the publisher via my association with BookPleasures to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.