Book making is one of my absolute favorite literacy activities for kids in every stage of literacy development. It’s super simple, and sends a powerful message to young writers. By inviting them to put their ideas in a book and add it to the family collection to read and re-read just like the other books that came from a bookstore or a library, we teach kids that they are real writers.
All you need is something to write with, some paper and and an idea. Every once in a while, I head over to Bare Books and order a box full of blank books in all shapes and sizes. Totally not necessary, but writing in “real” blank books can be especially enticing to young writers.
Once we’re set up with the basic supplies, I just try to step out of the way and let them run with whatever they have in mind. In addition to lots and lots of kid-driven writing, we also occasionally create themed books as a fun way to help kids remember a special event, season or topic.
Here are a few of our favorite book making projects…