How to Make Books with Children

• Step 1

  Tell the child to come up with a short story of about 50 words. If the child is old enough, have him write the story on a piece of notebook paper. If not, ask him to tell it to you so that you can write it down.

• Step 2

  Divide the story into six sections and decide with the child what type of picture can go with each section. Again, remember to keep it simple. If the child wants to draw just a flower or even a circle, that is totally fine for the purpose of the book.

• Step 3

  Start making the book. Take your sheet of construction paper and place it on the table lengthwise (the long edge facing you). Fold it in half toward you so you have a long, skinny rectangle. Then fold it in half widthwise twice. Unfold the paper completely. It is now divided into eight sections by the crease lines.

• Step 4

  Place the sheet lengthwise again, but this time fold it in half widthwise only once. Take the scissors and place the blade on the crease line bisecting the folded edge. Cut the paper until you reach the midpoint, where all four crease lines intersect. Unfold the paper completely again.

• Step 5

  Lay the paper lengthwise in front of you one final time. Then stand it up on the long edge. You will see what looks like a diamond shaped hole in the center of the paper. Hold one end of the paper in each hand and push the ends toward the center. The hole will get bigger and eventually flatten out. Now you have your book with six pages, a front cover and a back cover. You don't need tape or staples.

• Step 6

  Ask the child to copy his or her story to the book, or write it yourself if she can't write yet. Then have the child illustrate the pages with markers, crayons or colored pencils. Finally, decide together on a title and have the child decorate the book's cover. Don't forget to put the author's name on it.

• 2
• 18-by-24-inch sheet of construction paper Pencil Sheet of notebook paper Scissors Markers, colored pencils or crayons
• 18-by-24-inch sheet of construction paper
• Pencil
• Sheet of notebook paper
• Scissors
• Markers, colored pencils or crayons
• Older children can fold the books themselves with a little supervision on the scissor use. You can use bigger paper to make longer books. The basic concept will be the same.
• Older children can fold the books themselves with a little supervision on the scissor use.
• You can use bigger paper to make longer books. The basic concept will be the same.

References & Resources

• More about making books