A generation back, when we kids dressed up as hunter-gatherers and prowled our backyards with bows and arrows, a book like this would have permitted great technological advances on fringed brown-paper jerkins. Following Trottier’s simple step-by-step directions, along with the photos and diagrams, we could have learned to make authentic moccasins, decorated bags, beaded bracelets, bear-claw necklaces, or a gift-worthy selection of toys including corn husk dolls. All 16 crafts are made using inexpensive, easily available materials (deerskin might be a stretch, but Trottier suggests alternatives). Esperança Melo is credited with the attractive illustrations; it’s not clear if she also executed the appealing products, or if they were collaborations. At any rate, Martha Stewart couldn’t do better. The consistently good design means artistic genius is not a requirement for turning out a product to be proud of. Sometimes the approach is unconventional: the totem pole, in particular, made of cardboard and construction paper, is a surprising and innovative take on a traditional art form. There’s lots of scope for improvisation and self-expression.

Brevity is both the strength and weakness of the comic-book-slim Native Crafts. The introductions, which are often under 50 words, can’t provide much more than generalizations and scraps of knowledge. The map of traditional territories is a good idea, but again it’s so superficial as to be almost meaningless. Although motivated children will want more, Trottier’s book is a handy first-contact tool.