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Making Wooden Toys by Richard Blizzard Soft Cover 1982 63 pages Merry go round
Making Wooden Toys by Richard Blizzard Soft Cover 1982 63 pages Merry go round Full size rocking horse - puppet theatre- 6 wheel truck- paddle boat- somersaulting clown- Windmill -Go Cart and trailer children can ride-excaping robber- sand engine- sand digger- snooker pool.
Introduction
Of all living plants the tree has probably had more influence on mankind and his development than any other. Early man hollowed out the tree-trunk for his boat and the shaft of his spear came from the tree. He used its dead branches to keep himself warm and fend off the wild beasts.
Not only was timber of use in man's domestic life but later he was to use it for his wheels, siege engines, bows and arrows, bridges, ships and for many years even his aeroplanes. The tree made it possible for man to travel and trade throughout the world.
The tree in its life is a thing of natural beauty giving the beholder a sense of its great strength and graceful shape. Over the centuries craftsmen, designers and architects realised its full potential and their work stands today as a monument to the beauty and versatility of this the largest of all plants.
It therefore followed naturally that children's toys were made from wood. Some were elaborate, made by skilled craftsmen, but perhaps it was the humbler simple-carved toy that held the most appeal, fashioned by the old wood-carver. None knew better than he the true nature of the knarled oak, the gentle ripple to be found in ash, and the dark beauty of walnut.
Working with wood is a continuing source of pleasure as each piece is so different in grain, texture, colour and feel. Each species of wood gives off a scent, some most pleasing, others fresh and clean to smell. Besides, there is a tremendous sense of achievement when using a sharp plane, in watching the tightly packed curls of wood shavings spilling from the tool, to be picked up by small eager fingers, thrilled at this new discovery.
With the introduction of plastics, toys changed from their traditional material and became available in gaudy bright moulded 'bubbles'. However, this useful material has its limitations. After a while scratches make even the treasured plastic tractor scruffy, and many families despair when breakages cannot be repaired. Perhaps worst of all is the resulting sense of disappointment - and toys that let children down are bad toys. The child uses his toys as a means of experiment, with them he learns and discovers many things. To the very young child play and work are inseparable.
I have tried in this book to include both simple and more demanding toys, in the hope that many who have not made wooden toys will attempt to do so and will be encouraged by their efforts to go on and enjoy working in this most precious of materials. I hope that at the end you will have experienced the words of my motto 'I too will something make and joy in the making.'
All pictures are of the actual item. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
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