For good old-fashioned fun, nothing beats this 1887 gem and its illustrated explanations of hobbies and games. Handmade dolls, bookshelf building, and other projects use common household items, encouraging imaginations and creativity.

HIS is the children’s own day, and no assumption of dignity on the part of their elders can deter them from exercising the privileges granted to them by acknowledged custom and precedent. “April fool! April fool!” cries my little nephew, as he dances with delight to see his aunt walk out of the room with a piece of white paper dangling from a hooked pin, attached to her dress. “April fool! April fool!” shout the children in the street, thus announcing the success of some practical joke. “April fool!” laughs everyone at the table, when some unfortunate bites into a brown, wholesome-looking cruller, only to find it a delusion and a snare, the coat of a cruller, but the inside of cotton. “April fool! April fool!” is what even the little sparrows seem to chirp, as with a “s-w-h-e-r-r” they sweep down from the tree and, frightening away the kitten, take forcible possession of her bone. What does all this mean? Why is the first day of April called “All-Fools-Day,” and when or where did the custom of the day originate? Who can tell? No one seems to know. Even the derivation of the word April does not appear to have been definitely settled, and this saucy month, with her mischievous tricks and pranks, her surprises and mysteries, fools and puzzles our wisest men. Through many centuries the observance of All-Fools-Day has descended to us. In many climes and many countries this day is chosen as the proper time for playing tricks on the unsuspecting. “Festum Fatuorum,” or “Fools’ Holiday,” is what it was called in England at the time of the arrival of the early Christians in that country. Easily caught like the mackerel, which are plentiful on the French coast in April and are said to be deficient in understanding, the April fool in France derives his name from that fish, and is called “Poisson d’Avril” or “April Fish,” and again, “Silly Mackerel.” From the cuckoo, a bird that does not know enough to build its own nest, the appellation of “gowk” is taken, and is given to the foolish one in Scotland who allows himself to be duped on this day.

The American Girl's Handy Book was one of the earliest works written primarily for girls' amusement and enjoyment. It introduced original and novel ideas to open new routes for enterprise and entertainment for girls. The main goal was to engrave upon the girls' minds that they all have talent and the ability to achieve more than what they think is possible. During the time of this book's publication, it was unusual to promote girls to be inventive. But the writer desired to awaken this creative side in them by giving detailed methods of new tasks and amusements, to put them on the road they could travel and explore alone. Anyone curious about knowing the initiatives taken for girls' empowerment in the olden days will find this work beneficial.

Each summer, millions of children complain, "There's nothing to do." Originally published in 1889, The American Girl's Handy Book resoundingly challenges this age-old dilemma by providing a huge number of ideas for fun and instructional projects for young girls. It includes plans for April Fool's parties and jokes, transplanting wildflowers and preserving or pressing them, Easter games and activities, instructions for making a lawn tennis net and the rules of the game, how to make a hammock, corn husk and flower dolls, instructions for making various fans, Halloween parties, making a telephone, painting in water or oil colors, making models in clay and wax, making picture frames, and suggestions for winter games and activities! As with its companion, The American Boy's Handy Book, the girl's book is divided into seasons ensuring fun will be had all year round.

Used by generations of Boy Scouts, this classic features scores of projects — from stocking aquariums and performing puppet shows to sculpting snowmen and making sleds. 254 black-and-white figures. 63 illustrations.