Johnson, Paul (2000)
Making Books: Over 30 Practical Book-Making Projects for Children.
Markham, ON: Pembroke Publishers. Published in the United States by Stenhouse.
This is more an arts and crafts book than it is a language arts book. As the subtitle indicates there are over 30 hands-on book-making projects for children, most of them variations on a few designs. These are mostly pop-up, lift-the-flap and accordion-style books. Written directions and illustrations are relatively clear and easy to follow considering the amount of folding and cutting involved in some of the projects. Projects are broken down by age levels: 5-6; 6-7; 7-8; 8-9; 9-10, and 10-11.
Although the book does not discuss the writing process at all, it will be helpful to teachers [and children] who are bored with the more traditional ways to physically create a book. Some of the projects are very clever. This would be a good companion to Susan Gaylord's Multicultural Books to Make and Share, which includes different book designs from around the world. Making Books would serve well in a school library media center and/or a public library.
Pages: 64
Price: $14.95
ISBN: 1-55138-127-3
Reviewed by Judy Walker, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
