San Francisco, CA, December 14, 2010—It's a good time to be a Do-It-Yourselfer. With hackerspaces popping up in cities around the world and countless new publications, live events, and, of course, TV shows, DIY culture has never been more vibrant. When it comes to the holidays, though, not even DIYers are immune to the lure of big-box retailers.

For DIY parents looking for another way to bond with their kids this holiday season, No Starch Press offers Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred (November 2010, 360 pp., $24.95, ISBN 9781593272593).

"This is a craft book for people who wouldn't be caught dead with a craft book," says author David Erik Nelson. "When they hear the word 'craft,' most people think of doilies and sock puppets. Those are great crafts, absolutely, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. Maker culture is at the root of everything from electronics hacking to punk rock. There's something here for everybody—even my four-year-old loves rocking out on the Thunderdrum and throwing pizza-box boomerangs."

Nelson is quick to note that Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred does in fact have a sock squid, along with other projects for young children. But in a nod to horror master H.P. Lovecraft, it also has a sock Cthulhu. "That's really the tack this book takes," Nelson says. "Even the more traditional projects have an unexpected twist, so they're that much more fun to make."

Nelson has seen firsthand the impact that making can have on kids' lives. Each of the 24 projects in Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred is field tested and kid approved from his days as a private school teacher for troubled teens. "Hands-on tinkering helps kids learn to make their own choices, evaluate the results, and take control of their lives," Nelson adds. "These projects are fun, but they also have a lot of educational value."

With its collection of cool toys, games, gizmos, gadgets, and musical instruments, the projects in Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred are perfect for DIYers looking for something more personal to give their kids this holiday season. Whether that's a mischievous teddy bear that administers electric shocks or a band's worth of musical instruments, these projects are guaranteed to bring parents and kids together.

David Erik Nelson is available for interviews on crafts, education, maker culture, and other related topics. To schedule an interview or request a review copy of Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred, contact Travis Peterson at No Starch Press ([email protected], +1.415.863.9900, x300), or visit www.nostarch.com.

A look inside Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred (Click to Enlarge):

The Sock Squid

The $10 Electric Guitar

The Blinkie Tremolo

About the Author
David Erik Nelson is a freelance writer and former high school teacher. His fiction has been nominated for a Nebula Award and has appeared in Asimov's, The Best of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, and the forthcoming Steampunk Reloaded anthology. He developed the projects in this book at an alternative school with plenty of feedback from his students. He is a contributor to the "Ask the Giant Squid" advice column at Poor Mojo's Almanac(k), a weekly online literary journal.

Additional Resources
Project 3: "The Sock Squid" (PDF)
Project 18: "Cardboard Boomerangs" (PDF)
Table of Contents
Catalog Page and Sample Pages

Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred by David Erik Nelson November 2010, 360 pp. ISBN 9781593272593, $24.95 USD [email protected] 1-800-998-9938 1-707-827-7000

Available in fine bookstores everywhere, from www.oreilly.com/nostarch, or directly from No Starch Press (http://www.nostarch.com, [email protected], 1-800-420-7240).

About No Starch Press
Founded in 1994, No Starch Press is one of the few remaining independent computer book publishers. We publish the finest in geek entertainment—unique books on technology, with a focus on open source, security, hacking, programming, alternative operating systems, LEGO, science, and math. Our titles have personality, our authors are passionate, and our books tackle topics that people care about. Visit http://www.nostarch.com for a complete catalog.

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