"The aim of this book is to suggest to armatures of all ages many things which they can profitably make of wood and start them in the way to work successfully.  It is hoped that, in case of boys, it may show them pleasant and useful way to work off some of their surplus energy, and at the same time contribute toward their harmonious all-round development.

It is not an attempt to teach the arts of architecture, carpentry, cabinet-making, or boat-building.  Although not intended primarily to impact skill in the use of tools (something which can only be acquired from experience and observation and cannot be taught by any book), still no one can go through the processes indicated without gaining at least some slight degree of manual skill as well as a fund of practical information and experience."