This is not a book dumbed down, but rather built from the ground up for young people. There is, of course, the expectation that the book will be used under adult supervision, at least with preteen and younger children. At 128 pages, this book is as thick as your average carving book, but at 8”x 8” is a size better suited to young hands. I found the book to be well written and well designed. If you have a child or grandchild whom you’d like to interest in woodcarving, then this book may be a perfect Christmas or birthday present. If you have no young children or grands, but would like to help spread the art and craft, consider becoming a BSA woodcarving Merit Badge councilor; this publication would be an excellent adjunct to the merit badge handbook.
 Matt Kelly