On the Craft of Making Books
Words: Jeni Smith
DIEHN, G (2006) THE DECORATED JOURNAL. NEW YORK NY: LARK BOOKS.
This beautiful book gives clear instructions on how to make simple bound books. Even primary school children quickly learn the techniques. Most of the book is about creating beautiful journals and so provides inspiration for how to fill your lovely volumes.
GOLDEN, A. (2010) MAKING HANDMADE BOOKS 100+ BINDINGS, STRUCTURES AND FORMS. LONDON: LARK CRAFTS.
This, as its title implies, is a generous book filled with inspiration. Each form is well illustrated with both colour photographs and diagrams. Some are not so easy to follow, but the truth is that the best way to learn this craft is by demonstration. It offers a comprehensive range of forms including envelopes, folders and covers as well as the more usual books and cards.
HAZELL, R. (2018) BOUND 15 BEAUTIFUL BOOKBINDING PROJECTS. LONDON: KYLE BOOKS.
This is an indulgence –it is worth it. Rachel Hazell gives clear instructions for fifteen different book-making projects, illustrated with step-by-step photographs. She provides good advice about tools, materials and papers; and inspiration for decorating the books you make. She has a website: www.thetravellingbookbinder.com and runs courses both on and off line.
JOHNSON, PAUL ((1990) A BOOK OF ONE’S OWN DEVELOPING LITERACY THROUGH MAKING BOOKS. LONDON: HODDER & STOUGHTON.
Paul Johnson is the king of book-making in schools. He introduced the now ubiquitous origami folded book and has since invented many different forms which inspire children to compose in ways that are entirely individual. He saw that the form of the book provides writers with a clear structure and creative boundaries. The simplest, for example, the origami book, has six pages. Those six pages provide the frame for the story that helps the writer to shape what they will say. Other book forms impose different rules upon the writer. Essentially, writers are free to write (and draw) whatever they wish. It is the form of the book that provides the discipline.
JOHNSON, PAUL (1994) BOOKS SEARCHING FOR AUTHORS CHILDREN COMMUNICATING THROUGH THE WRITING AND VISUAL PROCESS. LONDON: HODDER & STOUGHTON.
This was Johnson’s second book about making books in school in which he theorises more about how book making contributes to children’s development as writers. Many of the book forms in this book can be used as part of whole class writing projects. Out of print but worth searching out.
JOHNSON, PAUL (2005) GET WRITING! CREATIVE BOOK-MAKING PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN AGES 4 – 7
JOHNSON, PAUL (2008) GET WRITING! CREATIVE BOOK-MAKING PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN AGES 7 – 12. LONDON: A&C BLACK.
These two books are filled with book forms which invite inventive narrative and non-fiction. Johnson suggests ways of using the books in the curriculum and as the basis for writing projects.
JOHNSON, PAUL (1992) POP-UP PAPER ENGINEERING CROSS-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN DESIGN TECHNOLOGY, ENGLISH AND ART. LONDON: THE FALMER PRESS.
This collection of pop-up engineering contains both the very simple and the complex. The simplest single character pop-up can be used really effectively even in nursery classes. The more complex theatre forms would challenge and intrigue even older students and provide the stage [pun intended] for the writing of narratives and drama scripts. I regard the making and drawing process as an important part of planning and drafting. By the time the form is constructed, most children have the ideas for their formed well enough for the words to go down on the page quite quickly.
KYLE, H. & WARCHOL, U. (2018) THE ART OF THE FOLD HOW TO MAKE INNOVATIVE BOOKS AND PAPER STRUCTURES.LONDON: LAURENCE KING PUBLISHING LTD
If bound is an indulgence, this is a super grown up indulgence for those who are really hooked on the art. It is a put-it-on-your-wish-list book and very beautiful. It includes a tiered display/collection box that folds together to make a star and a whole chapter on new book folds from one sheet of paper.
SMITH, ESTHER K. (2007) HOW TO MAKE BOOKS. NEW YORK NY: POTTER CRAFT.
Esther K Smith has written a number of books which can extend the range of your book-making. Her instructions are clearly illustrated with step-by-step diagrams. She also offers ideas for content that are full of energy and humour. There is a nice introduction to the making of zines –folded books that can be published in multiples which children may share and which may be used as the basis for little collections of writing prompts for fellow writers.
SMITH, ESTHER K. (2008) MAGIC BOOKS & PAPER TOYS. NEW YORK NY: POTTER CRAFT.
This is a lovely book which includes instructions for the wonderful flag book and for the jogged pamphlet which encourages young children to write Hungry Caterpillar inspired texts. And when you are tired of book making you can turn the book round and make Magic Books & PAPER TOYS!