THE WHIRLIGIG MAKER'S BOOK covers everything you need to know to get started in the craft and hobby of making animated whirligigs. Materials, tools, and techniques are detailed and full-size patterns and step-by-step instructions and illustrations are given for making fifteen unique animated whirligigs: Dove; Folk Rooster; Flying Unicorn; Girl Gymnast; Penguins on Teeter-Totter; Dancing Man; Unicycling Roadrunner; Carousel; Kids on Teeter-Totter; Trampoline; Ferris Wheel; Unicyclist; Flying Duck; Acrobats; and Clown. The projects were selected to introduce you to whirligig making and then take you on to an advanced skill level. The Author Jack Wiley earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1968, did exercise physiology teaching and research, and has written fifty published books. Dr. Wiley first became interested in making whirligigs in the late 1980s, and has designed and built hundreds of them since then. THE WHIRLIGIG MAKER'S BOOK is the result of this interest and experience.

More than two dozen traditional and original models of the wind-powered toys known as whirligigs appear in this how-to manual. Easy-to-follow instructions, detailed illustrations.

Patterns and instructions for making over twenty wooden wind gadgets including whirligigs and weathervanes.

Create unique whirligigs and other moving-part creations, traditional folk toys, and unusual new designs out of wood.

Easy-to-follow instructions and measured drawings for creating 25 charming little wind-driven toys — from the simple Baking a Pie whirligig to the Woman at the Computer to various weathervanes. For all levels of ability.

Complete directions and patterns for creating Danny the Dinosaur, Doctor Doolittle, Johnny Appleseed, Dancing Sailor, Coo-Coo Bird, and over 25 other delightful projects.

When sixteen-year-old Brent Bishop inadvertently causes the death of a young woman, he is sent on an unusual journey of repentance, building wind toys across the land. In his most ambitious novel to date, Newbery winner Paul Fleischman traces Brent's healing pilgrimage from Washington State to California, Florida, and Maine, and describes the many lives set into new motion by the ingenious creations Brent leaves behind. Paul Fleischman is the master of multivoiced books for younger readers. In Whirligig he has created a novel about hidden connections that is itself a wonder of spinning hearts and grand surprises.

“Young readers will be captivated by the contemporary inventors and inventions featured, and inspired to incorporate biomimicry into their own designs.” —Miranda Paul, author of One Plastic Bag and Water is Water Who's the best teacher for scientists, engineers, AND designers? Mother nature, of course! When an inventor is inspired by nature for a new creation, they are practicing something called biomimicry. Meet ten real-life scientists, engineers, and designers who imitate plants and animals to create amazing new technology. An engineer shapes the nose of his train like a kingfisher's beak. A scientist models her solar cell on the mighty leaf. Discover how we copy nature's good ideas to solve real-world problems! WINNER AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books A National Science Teacher Association Best STEM Book “Mimic Makers reveals marvels of engineering inspired by nature with images that invite careful observation and explanations that are expressive, but never over simplified.” —Kim Parfitt, AP Biology and Environmental Science teacher, curriculum developer for Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biointeractive, and recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching. “Amazing! . . . Love that the book features the scientists and inventors, and that there is a diverse set of them. —Janine Benyus, co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute

Covers everything you need to know to get started in the craft and hobby of toy and whirligig making and build twenty unique animated projects.