Earlier this evening, Mariam and I were talking about books and good ideas for stories. At some point in the conversation I said something like "Maybe we should organize a book swap where each kid can make their own book and then send it to another kid." Mariam said "That is a very good idea, Mama. I kind of wish I had thought of it."
Let's pretend she did.
The Bird and Little Bird Handmade Book Swap goes something like this:
If you are interested in participating, email me at [email protected] by next Monday, January 25th. Send the following information:
child's name
child's age
mailing address
Once all the sign-ups are in, I will go ahead and match each kiddo with an exchange partner in the same age range and the two can get busy writing books for one another. Each child will create a handmade book of their own to share (with as much adult help as is needed/appropriate for their age and ability). It can be as simple or as involved as is comfortable for the creator. It can employ storytelling through words, it can be a collection of pictures, it could even just be a pocket book meant to hold something interesting. It's all good.
Books should be mailed out to their recipients by February 22nd.
I've update the categories here on the blog so that there is now a separate category for the bookmaking tutorials that I've posted in the past. Feel free to use one of these to get inspired for bookmaking with the small people at your house. Also feel free to go rogue and make whatever kind of book you and your child feel drawn to. The idea here is to help kids understand that writing, drawing and storytelling are all about sharing something with someone else- no glossy, hardback cover required.
