Simple Book Forms

Presented by Rahila Weed

X Book

The X Book is one of the easiest book forms, created out of one rectangular sheet of paper. You will need:

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• One sheet of copy paper
• One bone folder or craft stick
• Scissors

Earthwords by Alisa Golden, 1995. Letterpress, sun prints, photoengravings, 4" x 5". Edition of 58.

Link to Instructions

Snake Book

The Snake Book is also made out of one sheet of paper, and can be designed in many ways. You will need:

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• One sheet of copy paper
• One bone folder or craft stick
• Scissors

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Painted Snake Book Model by Alisa Golden, 2001. Acrylic ink, gesso, rubber stamps, 3" x 3".

Betsy’s Almanac by Alisa Golden, Val Simonetti and Beth Herrick, 1999. Letterpress on handmade paper, photo-engravings, ribbon, 2.5" x 2.5". Edition of 20.

Alphabetical Afflictions by Katherine Ng, 2000. Letterpress, 2.75" x 2.75". Edition.

Web Links:

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Wishi Washi Studio

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Autodesk Instructables

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Flower Fold Book

The Flower Fold or Petal Book uses one square sheet of paper for each page, and can be assemblied in many ways. You will need:

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• Four sheets of origami paper
• One bone folder or craft stick
• Glue stick
• Boards for covers

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One Word by Alisa Golden, 2003. Typewritten text, handwriting, sun prints, 4.25" x 4.25".

Easy Accordion

The accordion is a basic book form that can be altered in many ways. You will need:

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• One piece of sentence strip paper
• One bone folder or craft stick
• Boards for covers

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Add a Cover

Web Links:

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Autodesk Instructables

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Integration Ideas

These easy book forms can be used for sketching, journaling, zines, comics, notes, poems, etc. Here are some integration ideas:

• Use for science lab notes and observations.
• Create an acrostic poem using a color word. What color do you feel like today and why? (Example by Lewis Carroll)
• Write a poem listing and connecting mundane objects around you. Consider how you interact with them, and how they interact with each other.
• List of writing prompts

Thank you very much!

Rahila Weed

weed@ucmo.edu

Summer Opportunities at UCM

Art Camp: June 8-14

Art Camp: A week-long summer camp for students in grades 6-12 interested in exploring Studio Art, Design, and Illustration. Click on the link above for more information and registration.

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Prof. Dev. June 15-28

Professional Development Opportunities for Adults: Choose from 6 different studio courses and earn professional development credit or graduate credit. Options include book arts, ceramics, illustration, graphic design, painting, and printmaking. Click on the link above for more information and registration.