making books

- - "Amy [Amanda] my lazy sister is thirteen years old. She talks on the phone for an hour or two at a time. She has her own room and it is a mess. She always keeps it messy. When she goes places with her friends she always dresses nice and leaves her clothes on the floor."

- - "When Calvin was about to climb up the swing, he saw something. A turkey! Then he showed the turkey how to do flips. They were both wearing clown ties."

- - "Then he went home. Then he played soccer. Then he went home. Then he ate corn on the cob. Then he played soccer again"

Excerpts from my three favorite books - My Lazy Sister by my sister written many years ago when she was 8; a collection called Stories By Calvin, written by Calvin two years ago; and Mr. Soccerball, written by Ezra just this summer (the sequel for that one is in progress at the moment-I can't wait). These books are so very dear to me - I read them over and over and over and smile, and I will most assuredly treasure them forever. These were the first, but there are piles of these books now - in various stages of completion - among our things.

I keep a supply of these simple little handmade books accessible and at the ready for when the kids' book-writing inspiration strikes. The construction - on my end - is basic - heavy card stock folded in half, with 10-20 pages or lightweight paper on the inside pages, all stapled together on the fold. I started making them this way after receiving some similarly made and loved books from the Grecos. They're quick and easy, and yet, an absolute favorite thing for the kids to work on.

Our bookmaking has been fueled in recent weeks by the arrival of two wonderful bookmaking books.The first - How to Make Books: Fold, Cut and Stitch Your Way to a One-of-a-Kind Book is a guide to basic bookmaking, containing step-by-step instructions on a variety of methods. It's got me itching to take the needle and thread to some paper. Calvin's often asked about the construction of books, and this has given me lots of answers on the different ways it can be done. Though I think it's really geared towards an adult reader, the kids have been really interested in what's inside it too - I see some fun collaborations happening.

The second book that's being fought over explored daily around here is The Book Book, by Sophie Benini Pietromarchi. This book is really hard to explain - it's such eye candy and poetry and instruction and inspiration all rolled into one. It's written for children and covers not only the how of bookmaking, but the what to include in your book - characters, themes, ideas for inspiration. Really really good stuff, and put together so creatively. It's got everyone around here thinking differently about our bookmaking - and including things like fabrics, found objects, and food (!). The Book Book is published by Tara Publishing - a small and amazing (I'm in love with nearly their whole catalog now) independent publisher out of India. In addition to Amazon, it's also available on the their website here (where there's free worldwide shipping and screen printed gift wrap - ah! - before the holidays), and of course - also available by request from your local independent bookstore. 

Ah...new fresh inspiration for the little and big writers / illustrators / poets / bookmakers in the house. We're going to have fun with these...

Comments

[Molly]

Oh Amanda, I just love this - that your kids have handmade books at the ready, waiting to be filled with stories and ideas whenever inspiration strikes. What a gift you've given them. It's just so, so lovely...

[julie]

Oh, I love when my children make a book! What a great idea to have them already made up to write in!

[Grace]

We made books all day and night when we were kids. We were so very into it. I still have some of the ones I made, and they are certainly treasures. Elle makes them from time to time, too, and though I'd like to see even more from her, I don't know that she'd react very well to my having pre-made blank ones for her waiting. I think she would see it as pressure. Everything has to be her idea, you know. ;) Maybe I'll set some out anyway and see what happens. You never know.

[meera hays]

The amount of thought you put into your daily life with children is such a huge inspiration for me. Every day, you are the first page I go to...and often I am left with something to think about for the day. The images are stellar.....but your wisdom about the concept of "childhood" makes this a must for my routine. Thank you.

[MamaOutThere]

Sometimes I don't know how you do it. My daughter has been writing books for a long time, but damned if I can direct her in any of it -- including the construction.

I love her quirky style nonetheless -- more than I can say.

[Elizabeth]

My children are gathering their things for a box like yours as I write. Off to staple books...thank you.

[christina]

I have been absent from posting this last week, as my brother has been here, and my husband went for back surgery. I have enjoyed quickly glancing through the last weeks posts, and have enjoyed your thoughts and ideas very much. I have 6, and my son who is 7, is into illustrating and writing his books as well. I like your ideas, and I will have to make him his own writing station! What a great idea!
Christina Gomez, Texas

[Jennifer]

I love making books! And needle and paper together are awesome; I even run some of them through my sewing machine. The decorative stitches can really add something to the spine of a book.

If you guys are into books right now, you might want to check out the DK Eyewitness book called BOOK (http://www.amazon.com/Eyewitness-Book-DK-Publishing/dp/0789458926/ref=sr_1_153?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195244012&sr=1-153) It's got all kinds of cool info about the history of writing, paper, and books. I had it in one of my classrooms a while back when I was still teaching art; we used it all the time!

I can't wait for my 16 month old to be old enough to draw and make books. We're still eating crayons. :( He'll get there...

[Amy T.]

I love this stuff! I used to teach kindergarten, and watching the kids write before they even knew how to "write" was one of my favorite things. I even wrote a seminar paper on it for my master's degree.

Great ideas!

[Tracey]

I would post the link to Susan Gaylord's site -Making Books with Children - but two earlier commenters have done so. She also has e-books for sale with lots of great ideas. Her instructions are very easy to follow.

[Stephanie D]

"and they were both wearing clown ties". =)

[Pamela Thompson]

Writing down the stories my children make up is one of my favorite things. Thanks for the book suggestions. I'd been thinking about getting some of their stories into a nicer format as Christmas presents and your suggestions will get me off in the right direction.

[Meg]

I very much admire how creative kid friendly your home is. I have ben thinking of ways to make our home more like that. Thanks for the example.

[Veronica TM]

once again, you have inspired me, amanda! thank you!

[Alix]

Hello, just to say I can't get the links for "Stories By Calvin", "Mr. Soccerball" or "My lazy sister" to work (other links are working). I would so much like to take a peek. And I'm sorry if this is a repeat comment but the quantity of comments is HUGE (as it should be) and my brain is tired...

[SOULEMAMA]

Hi, Alix -

Sorry, those aren't actual links, just underlined 'book' titles. ;) They're the titles of the stories my little ones (and my sister) wrote that I excerpted above.

[SOULEMAMA]

Andrea - sorry, almost missed this.

The 'storebought' notebooks in the back of the caddy are blank notebooks. They're the kids sketchbooks - they each have their own. I have piles of them that they've already filled up. We buy them at our local art store for a few dollars each. What's in the caddy is what stays out on the drawing table all the time. The rest of the art and craft supplies are in a cabinet they can access.

[hsgbdmama]

Great idea! My oldest has been making books but I think this will kick it up to a new level for him!! It will be great to help get through the winter doldrums and will be a great Christmas present. :-)

[Amy]

I was just looking for something good to do with all the kids who will be invading my home this coming week for Thanksgiving...and this is a perfect thing to add to my bag of tricks! Thank you :)

[cyndi]

hi Soulemama
my boys LOVE their books as well. it's how my 4 year old is learning to write. he'll accept no interference from me either. it's a very private part of his day and he's very protective of his book and pencils. they are with him always.
thanks for mentioning the book and publishing info. i checked the website last night and i can't wait to make an order!
have a lovely weekend.

[Mary-Heather]

:) I still have a little book I made looong ago; a "tall tale" that was very Paul Bunyan-esque, if Paul Bunyan went shopping in fabric stores. (Of course!)

I just *adore* the "e's" in the book in progress picture.

[blair]

I was just looking at that one on the right at the bookstore the other day. These both look like books I should add to my wishlist. I love that Calvin has so many of these stories. We have a few here, yesterday Ian made a comic book (comics are big in our house right now). So cute.

Could you tell me the name of where you got your blog published in book form? I didn't remember it being lulu or blurb but maybe I'm wrong. I just know that my dad would love this for Christmas (he doesn't have a computer). Thanks, xo

[SOULEMAMA]

Blair -

It was Blurb, actually! See here:
http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/2007/03/documenting.html

[daria]

piles of ready-made little books, so genius. we don't usually get to the binding until after my kids finish their stories, but I love the idea of tiny blank books mixed in with the piles of sketchbooks & notebooks my two cart around. thank you!

two grown-up books about making books I'd recommend:
Making Handmade Books by Alisa Golden http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Handmade-Books-Alisa-Golden/dp/0806988258/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195267607&sr=8-1
&
Cover to Cover by Shereen LaPlantz
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Handmade-Books-Alisa-Golden/dp/0806988258/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195267607&sr=8-1

[Matroskin]

I still have a collection of poems I wrote and illustrated at 7. They're hilarious. I've taken a course in book binding - it's a hobby I recommend to everyone, very soothing and rewarding. Of course, your offspring might end up being the next Hemingway and their childhook books will be auctioned for millions.

[Max]

"They were both wearing clown ties" is an immortal line. I look forward to more of Calvin's work :)

[brianna]

what kind of crayons, pencils, markers and paint do you get for your kids?

[Larissa]

Amanda,

I totally love to read your blog everyday. You are an inspiration.

This post brought me out of lurkdom (is tha a word?) forcing me to respond because I work at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Which in case you didn't know, is a living history museum set in the year 1838.

It is my good fortune work in the Museum Education Dept where I spend my days having fun teaching children various ways that people did things in the olden days (FYI, we have several home school days through out the year).

All this to say that we make handmade books in our print studio, by folding paper that has been printed with some kind of appropriate story and fastened together with the figure 8 stitch. I always point out to the children that they have now learned a skill and can make books for themselves at home out of anything that they wish. Just as you have for your children, and they will be precious memory keepers for years to come.

Thank you again for all the creative, "feel goodishness" you supply on your blog every day and for being an awesome mama to your three wee ones.

Larissa

[Beth]

Man, the woodburner idea! Calvin could totally rock a woodburner! We have been using one lately at my girl guide unit, making nametags, a plaque for camp, and they LOVE it (they're 9-10), some are asking for one for Xmas.

It's the classics kids love best. Who needs plastic bells and whistles when you can burn wood!

We just did a pioneer camp in guides and I couldn't believe how into the simplest old fashioned activities they were! Peeling apples and canning applesauce, hammering nails, weaving, making biscuits, cats cradle(for hours), basic firebuilding....that they had never done these things before made me so sad! And they couldn't get enough of it.

Plus, I think that letting kids use 'grown-up' tools with supervision is an awesome way to help them grow into confident adults. Kids are so coddled and protected now. To trust them to use something carefully with your help is a wonderful thing.

[Heather]

just today i was thinking of my idea to give both of my girls bookmaking kits for christmas! i was thinking that i need to look for some bookmaking books! oh my goodness this is just what i need!!! thank you! thank you!!

[asti grafham]

Those books are fab.....I've been trying to think of a way to collate all the bits of paper, the half finished stories, poems and songs that seem to lie around. My oldest would really LOVE this idea - her own book! Thanks once again....

[ann-marie]

I really love the homemade books! When I saw your post yesterday I went straight to my scrapbooking supplies and made both of my kids a little book. Both of them have started theirs and love the concept. They both found a title really fast and had plenty of ideas. I thank you and your family for inspiring me, on so many levels.

[Becca]

I love the idea of a book organizer...our oldest is writing a book a day right now. She covers everything from pet care to sibling relationships...I find it funny a seven year old writes self help books, but a station to help her organize her writtng has Christmas written all over it!

[Becca]

I love the idea of a book organizer...our oldest is writing a book a day right now. She covers everything from pet care to sibling relationships...I find it funny a seven year old writes self help books, but a station to help her organize her writtng has Christmas written all over it!

[Jeana]

I feel like this is a stupid question, but it looks like the side of the book is longer than my stapler. How do you staple the spine without bending the pages?

[Victoria]

Thanks for inspiring me today. I have been lovingly keeping my daughter's little drawings for the last 4 years and had never thought of doing this for one so young. Today we made our first book called "Ella's Toyshop Adventure" including toys clipped out of a catalogue delivered to our door this very day. I hope to make many more - thanks for bring an extra smile to our day!

[Molly]

You've inspired me to buy some books and take some classes! MN Center for the Book Arts, here I come...

[melissa deakin]

thanks for sharing these treasures.
i look forward to getting these books for my family!

[Hope]

I LOVE your ideas! I know the kids would love to have those homemade blank books at the ready. I think I've got an idea for Christmas presents. Thanks!

[tammy]

the 'stories' themselves are just wonderful (love your sister's story about her lazy sister (would that be you?), ohmigosh, funny. wonder if it c/b be publishable). It's great that you have them in a book-form - am sure it makes the experience of taking the stories out and re-reading them just that little bit nicer.

[Adria]

Those are so cool. My girls make their own books almost daily, but I really like what you've done & it must be so nice to have them handy.

[Deirdre]

Uh, now that I'm here it looks like the last thing you need is yet another comment...

but this is such a simple but brilliant idea, I wanted to say thanks. My son is always asking me to help him "make a book" usually while I'm making dinner...and having a few prepared books would so delight him! Thank you (and now going to go order The Book Book for Xmas!)