KNIGHTS: THE AGE OF ADVENTURE, TO UNLOCK...

KNIGHTS: THE AGE OF ADVENTURE, TO UNLOCK AND DISCOVER (Running Press: $19.95) is a charming interactive kit with an array of “medieval treasures” hidden inside. The second title in the “Treasure Chest” series, this work is an excellent introduction to the world of castles and feudal kingdoms--and a lot of fun to play with.

The kit comes in the shape of a miniature treasure chest, complete with lock (sans key; it pops open when you press on its latch), which opens on the right side and reveals a pack of small parts to construct a plastic model catapult. The catapult can be used to attack the paper model castle that comes in the left side of the chest.

There’s a wealth of goodies in the left-side “hidden” compartment besides the paper castle. There are stickers of battle sites, weapons and the like; a parchment proclamation to sign and seal with the signet sealing ring and clay (right side); a “stained-glass window” to color; a map of the Crusades, and a guide to arming a knight.

Other items include the board game “Nine Men’s Morris” (“a medieval game of strategy and skill”) and a detailed, well-illustrated booklet about knights and their times by a “former Assistant Keeper of the Norwich Castle Museum in England.”

King Arthur would have been pleased!

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The best parts of NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS by Andrew Haslam and Alexandra Parsons (Thomson Learning: $18.95 ) are the model-making projects. Oh, sure, the text is well-written and informative and the graphics are bright and educational--but the models are the prize.

Topics range from “Making a Sioux Headdress” to “Make a Tepee,” from “Making Hopi Boiled Corn Cakes” to “Make a Birch Bark Canoe.” Make is the operative word; this is a hands-on book and parents will need to pitch in sometimes to help with the more complex projects. The models cover all facets of Native American life and cultures: clothing, housing, artwork, hunting, warfare, religion and on and on--most anything you can think of.

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The traditional summer vacation and camping season may be coming to a close, but Southern Californians still have plenty of good local camping and three-day-weekend trips worth taking. A nice guide for campers of all ages is THE HAPPY CAMPER HANDBOOK by Michael Elsohn Ross, illustrated by Cary Michael Trout (Yosemite Assn.: $15.95; (209) 379-2648) .

Sturdy and small enough to carry in a backpack, “The Happy Camper Handbook” covers equipment, clothing, setting up camp, first aid and hiking, breaking out specific tips and critical advice when needed. There are riddles, map-reading and quizzes and other tidbits aimed at young environmentalists.

Pretty neat: Each book comes with a flashlight and batteries and a rescue whistle on a lanyard. The the authors must have seen me on one of my wilderness trips.