Oct. 23, 2009 - Home-made Christmas Gifts!

Yes, it's that time of year already! If you like to make home-made Christmas gifts, it's time to get very busy!! We've been busy knitting, the kids weave a variety of things on their loom, a quilt is in the making, etc, etc. But one idea that we're quite excited about is our home made books! This is, in my opinion, homeschooling at its best! I'm taking pictures of the process and hope to revisit this again once we've completed some, but here's the general gist!

1. I gave the kids a writing assignment! The assignment is to write a short story on one sheet of notebook paper with the intent of giving it as a gift to our young cousins. We sat down and brainstormed to come up with a good story line, and I turned them loose! It doesn't take them too long to fill a sheet of notebook paper when they're set with a story that excites them! I should add that I've informed them of my role as publisher, educating them on what a publisher does, etc. That will include requesting revisions where needed, etc. I will ultimately type this out for them as my kids are still young to have to type it all out. The idea is to have their words and keep it fun! Not to get too caught up in expecting perfectionism here (This is a note to self!)!
   
2. Next, I'll have them break up the story into pages appropriate for a picture book. So just a few sentences per page. 
3. Next, once they understand what's going to be said on each page, have them illustrate the pages. For us that means using watercolor paper, sketching it lightly in pencil, and then letting them use the media of choice to color it, although I'll probably just encourage this to be done with watercolor. They need to understand that one piece of paper will be folded in half and will eventually be two pages, so they'll need to decide whether to do a picture per half page, or one big picture to include what's being said on both sides, if that makes sense. They will also need to be sure to leave some white or lightly colored space to put the words. Younger kids will probably need some direction to think all of that through.
   
4. Now, we have a scanner, so at this point, I'll scan in the images and use photoshop to put the words on the pages. Doing this will allow us to keep the original art work, and make multiple copies for all of our cousins. If you don't have the ability to do this, you could take it to a local store to make copies, but you would need to figure out how to get the words on the picture. Also, be sure to get the next page printed on the back of the right sheet of paper so they'll be in the correct order when completed! You will have to think this well through, dividing some of the pictures in half to get them on the backs of half a sheet where necessary. Again, I hope to revisit this with pictures once our process is complete! We will buy some higher quality paper to print them on so the pages will be thicker and more durable and also the pictures won't show through the back as much.
5. Now you're ready to bind your book! This is the fun part! If your kids are old enough to do this, have them help! You will need to fold each page in half, assuming you've printed it correctly and the back half pages will match with the next front half, etc. There are some great youtube videos on how to bind a book, so I would highly suggest you view a good one! We fold each page in half, then carefully clip the ends by the folded edges side to be bound. Then smear glue along the folds, making sure it seeps into all the folds a bit and completely covers the entire edge. Then put it on a sheet of scrap paper and under a heavy box. They may slightly glue to the paper and box, but ours pulled off quite easily. Let it dry for a couple of hours. Then I went back and actually sewed each page like an actual book to make sure it lasts. We haven't completed our books, but I bound some plain white paper to get the idea before I do it on their actual books.. If you look at some of your hardback books, you will see the stitching, or even your Bible.
6. Let them design a cover on the paper of their choosing, and cover it however you like! For us, that means using heavy cardboard, letting them design and draw a cover of their choosing and then copy and print it on sticker paper to just stick right onto the cardboard to cover.

What better way for them to do several things: Have a great writing project that they will get excited about, Learn about the entire process of writing, illustrating, and publishing a book, put their hearts into doing something for someone else, which they will truly take great joy in! And this is one of those projects that will give them a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, along with confidence in their ability to write! The fact that you would see their writing as something worthy of putting the time and effort into making special and giving as a gift will do wonders for their writing! And what gift could they give that said "Love" more? I also have hopes that we can make a special one for grandparents as well, perhaps listing and illustrating fondest memories. I hope you enjoy making a "real" (as my kids like to call it) book as much as we are!

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