[.ca] Playhouses You Can Build: Indoor and Backyard Designs (ISBN 1552093158)

Chock full of good ideas:
The cover of the book is enough to draw a child into imaginative thought. Plenty of good ideas, with a realistic view of the ability of the average do-it-yourselfer. Looking through the book, I did wish there were more color photos, but this would be a minor problems for those serious about following one the plans included in the book.

Best "How to" book I've ever bought!!!!:
A great book! Well written and illustrated for the novice woodworker, or anyone for that matter. You don't have to be a woodsmith to build the projects in this book. Simple, straight forward plans and illustrations help you to build the playhouse of your children's dreams. If I can do it, anyone can. A weekend warrior like myself with very little carpentry experience built 2 of the projects in this book and they turned out great! Can't wait to buy the Stiles' next book.

Unless you are a carpenter, BEWARE!:
Please don't buy this book unless you are comfortable reading vague plans and are an experienced carpenter. For all the other "Weekenders" like me who appreciate step-by-step instruction with diagrams/pictures, detailed information on techniques for their projects, discussion regarding suitable materials and tips on finishing the project (i.e. painting, etc.) PLEASE choose a book more suited to your skill level. ... I sense impending doom if I attempt to build his cover playhouse which, by the way, seems rather small at only 6'x6'. I think I will join the ranks and order Norm Abrams plans and video as well.

So easy even my husband could figure it out :-):
Fun and easy steps to build your own play house! Good descriptons, excelent drawings. Great buy - have to buy my second now as my mom stole mine!

A wonderful book which will change the way you look at play.:
Stiles' book is a wonderful compendium of playhouse/play structure projects. It includes "plans" for everything from a 20 minute cardboard house to a 20+ hour gingerbread playhouse. I put plans in quotes because if you are looking for truly detailed plans and a step-by-step how to guide this book is not it. It has basic architectural type drawings, some with details, some not. Nonetheless it is still an excellent guide to planning, designing and building children's play areas. The general construction tips and wood/fastener introductory chapters will be worth the price of the book for novices. All in all, this book will help you take a great step towards your project.