author
A. Neely (Albert Neely) Hall
b. 1883
Known for lively how-to books that turned scraps of wood, cardboard, and everyday materials into toys, games, and practical projects, this early 20th-century writer made handcraft feel inviting and fun. His work blends clear instruction with the upbeat spirit of learning by doing.
2 Audiobooks
Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys Wooden and Cardboard Toys, Mechanical and Electric Toys
by A. Neely (Albert Neely) Hall
The Boy Craftsman Practical and Profitable Ideas for a Boy's Leisure Hours
by A. Neely (Albert Neely) Hall
About the author
Born in Chicago in 1883, Albert Neely Hall wrote as A. Neely Hall and became known for practical craft books for young readers and families. His best-known titles include The Boy Craftsman and Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys, books that encouraged children to build, experiment, and make useful things with their own hands.
Hall studied at Lewis Institute and the Chicago School of Architecture, a background that helps explain the sturdy, workable feel of his projects. He later lived in Elmhurst, Illinois, and his books were widely circulated enough to remain available through public-domain collections and reprints long after his death in 1959.
What makes his work still appealing is its plainspoken confidence: he treated making things not just as a pastime, but as a way to build skill, patience, and imagination. For listeners who enjoy vintage guides, classic hobby writing, or the history of do-it-yourself culture, his books offer a cheerful window into an earlier hands-on world.