Lee, gives evenhanded treatment to his ac- Bego discusses John’s extensive recording of Tunisian symbols and color photographs. complishments and foibles. —Gordon Flagg output as well as his drug addiction and vari- If black is a favored color, it’ll be difficult to ous health issues, his failed suicide attempt, resist building a yarn stash for projects like Nightmares in the Dream Sanctuary: his coming out, his forays into musical the- an ombre basket, two-way bag, or mitre War and the Animated Film. ater (Aida, The Lion King, Billy Elliot), his square blanket. No need for beginner’s luck By Donna Kornhaber. marriage to David Furnish, and the making here. —Barbara Jacobs Jan. 2020. 328p. illus. Univ. of Chicago, $35 of Rocketman, which John’s film company, (9780226472683); e-book, $21 (9780226472713). Rocket Pictures, helped make. Elton fans Caticorn Crafts: 25 Purr-fectly 791.43. won’t want to miss this. —June Sawyers Enchanted Projects. In the earliest extant cartoon about war, By Crystal Allen. Matches Appeal (circa 1899), a matchstick Ted Shawn: His Life, Writings, and Dances. Dec. 2019. 160p. illus. Skyhorse, paper, $19.99 figure pleas for donations of matches to the By Paul A. Scolieri. (9781510751002); e-book (9781510751026). 745.5. Second Boer War effort. By all accounts, it Dec. 2019. 536p. Oxford, $39.95 (9780199331062); Allen made a name for herself as the force was an audience sensation. The war cartoon e-book (9780199331093). 792.8092. behind Hello Creative Family, a website that really arrived with WWI and burgeoned Ted Shawn (1891–1972) is often called the specializes in quick and easy crafts and reci- with antiwar drawings in its aftermath; big “Father of American Dance” and in this com- pes designed to ignite creativity for all ages. series stars, including Felix the Cat and prehensive biography, Scolieri (Dancing the Caticorn Crafts collects many of the crafts that Mickey Mouse, were American favorites, New World: Aztecs, Spaniards, and the Chore- feature many iterations of the “meow-gical” while homegrown icons ap- ography of Conquest, 2013) ably demonstrates cat–unicorn hybrid. Each craft is suitable for peared in cartoons of other why. Denishawn, the first American modern a beginner, and most include “Pro Crafter nations. WWII brought pro- dance company and school, which he and Tips,” optional additional steps for more ex- war cartoons, now seldom Ruth St. Denis founded, counted among its perienced or ambitious creators. She makes seen unexpurgated because students Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, the projects easy by providing templates for of their racist and ethnic and Charles Weidman. Shawn formed the flowers and caticorn faces, or by using materi- stereotypes. As Kornhaber first all-male dance company, Ted Shawn’s als with built-in flair, such as sparkly paper. continues her history, she Men Dancers, and founded Jacob’s Pillow, This is especially handy for folks looking tracks the disappearance of the renowned dance festival and school the for trendy projects like flair pins (which use pro-war cartoons after the Holocaust and New York Times calls “the dance center of the Shrinky Dinks!) or bath bombs. The fabric Hiroshima, and notes that the central mis- nation.” Scolieri writes that “Shawn was also projects are all no-sew—an impressive way to sion of the preponderance of the cartoons she the first prominent American choreographer make a pillow, a sleep mask, or a caticorn cos- subsequently discusses is to bear, even comi- to publish widely on the subject of dance, tume. There is plenty of inspiration here for cally, serious witness to war. Four substantial writing nine books and hundreds of articles those planning a craft night or a themed par- chapters consider cartoons of “Resistance” and editorials.” His account of Shawn’s per- ty, and all of the projects have a style adjacent (to war), “Pacifism,” “Memory” (of survi- sonal life—he married Ruth St. Denis and to the Japanese kawaii aesthetic. Patrons will vors), and “Memorial” (remembrance of kept his homosexuality hidden from all but find the positivity and cuteness of the caticorn victims). Kornhaber’s close analyses of out- his inner circle of friends—is “a hitherto un- difficult to resist. —Susan Maguire standing examples of each kind are so lucid told story about the ways that Shawn’s sexual and persuasive that they actually teach read- identity informed his principles and practices Creating Wooden Jewelry: 24 Skill- ers how to “read” films and appreciate their of dance.” Scolieri has created an impeccably Building Projects and Techniques. formal qualities. Although this is a special- researched, in-depth look at a key modern- By Sarah King. ized study, it is extraordinarily engaging, dance pioneer. —Carolyn Mulac Dec. 2019. 176p. illus. Fox Chapel, paper, $19.99 psychologically penetrating, and intellectu- (9781497100015); e-book (9781607657187). 745.51. ally absorbing. In short, this is a new classic Wood jewelry has had a crafts following of topical film studies and the literature of Crafts & Hobbies since the 1970s, when craftspeople in all me- art and war. —Ray Olson dia were drilling, soldering, cutting, shaping, Beginner’s Guide to Tunisian Crochet: and otherwise applying a variety of techniques Rocket Man: The Life of Elton John. With 10 Modern Projects for You and to the art of nature. In her first publishing ad- By Mark Bego. Your Home. venture, U.K.-based designer King attempts Jan. 2020. 416p. illus. Pegasus, $27.95 By Emma Guess. it all, combining technical elements of wood- (9781643133133). 782.42166. Nov. 2019. 96p. illus. Search, paper, $17.95 working with more visionary concepts of His hits span the decades: “Your Song,” (9781782216667). 746.434041. contemporary design. It works, somewhat. “Daniel,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Goodbye Yellow To the untrained, eye, Tunisian crochet Without a doubt, the 24 pieces are inspir- Brick Road,” “Rocket Man.” With the suc- looks like knitting, but it’s actually an amalga- ing; an ebony silver dot pendant and an oak cess of the fantasy-laced 2019 film Rocketman mation of three needlework arts: crocheting, strata necklace, just to name two. Each proj- and publication of his memoir, more people knitting, and weaving. This rediscovered ect homes in on the how-to’s, with excellent than ever know his backstory. So does the craft has been gaining supporters (and dedi- step-by-step, up-close captioned color pho- world need another Elton John biography? cated collections to fashion) for the past few tographs, detailed lists of materials needed, So compelling and entertaining is prolific years. U.K.-based fashion and crafts designer and sidebars on using a piercing saw (keep the pop music biographer Bego’s portrait that Guess uses her good sense of aesthetics and blade taut), among others. More information the answer is in the affirmative. Bego writes color to create 10 patterns, from scarves to about working with the equipment and the about young Reginald Dwight’s childhood blankets, that anyone would be delighted to complex tools would have been helpful. On in the greater London area, where the intro- copy. The upfront instructions zero in on five the other hand, interviews and mini-art gal- verted, chubby, and bespectacled youngster stitches (simple stitch, knit stitch, twisted leries from four European designers, each of felt like an outcast. Seeing Elvis on television knit stitch, purl stitch, and full stitch), each whom excels imaginatively and technically, changed everything. Polite Reg reinvented with good step-by-step details and a unique are an added value. Combine this with a be- himself as the flamboyant Elton John, and feature: 16 combination swatches to show ginner’s woodworking course for best success. with lyricist and platonic soul mate Bernie the possibilities, including both the finished End materials include bibliography, useful in- Taupin, formed “one of the most success- swatch and directions. Tips and/or notes are formation, and selected jewelers using wood. ful songwriting teams of the 20th century.” embedded in the designs, along with charts —Barbara Jacobs www.booklistonline.com November 1, 2019 Booklist 13 Reproduced with permission of copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.