Razorbill
Let the “Dangerous Book for Boys” knockoffs begin! That British publishing phenomenon unwittingly has spawned a cottage industry in kid-centric how-to manuals, including this number, detailing “100 Hijinks & Escapades.”
From the practical (knot-tying) to the cool (making invisible ink) to the inventive (building your own radio), this book reminds us how fun it was to be a kid, but duplicates some of “Dangerous”‘ territory. It’s not as wry or knowing, although lines like this “? on “wolf-whistling” “? help: “If you foresee a future in building construction “¦ “
The design inside is much cooler than the rather dull, Norman Rockwell-style cover.
“?Rod Lott
This article appears in Dec 12-18, 2007.