The Little Box of Beads is a craft kit from Barron's. The reusable cardboard box comes with the Little Book of Beading (an instruction manual for making your own jewelry using the products in this kit) and the Little Book of Beads (step-by-step instructions for making your own beads using everyday household items, such as paper and aluminum foil). Both of these books contain full-color illustrations and are easy to understand. Also contained in the kit are more than 700 beads (various sizes, colors, and styles), craft wire, and necklace clasps--enough to create 25 bead projects.

We enjoyed making several necklaces and a bracelet with this kit. My 7-year-old daughter could easily read and follow the instructions for some of the simpler projects, while others required some adult assistance. Though not recommended for children under 3 (due to choking hazards), I did not see a recommended age on this kit. I would suggest it for ages 5-12, with younger children needing some adult supervision.

We were very pleased with the end results of our projects and look forward to making more. My daughter wears her jewelry with pride and enjoys explaining that she made it herself.

This kit would make a nice gift for that young girl in your life. I would consider buying other craft kits from this publisher in the future. At a price of $16.99, this kit seems a bit more expensive than other similar products we have tried; however, the books are nice and definitely make this a "gift that keeps on giving" because when the beads in this kit are all gone, you can make more on your own. The ideas are endless and are limited only by your imagination.

 Product review by Heidi Strawser, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June 2007