2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
creative, sparkling little book, September 30, 2008
This review is from: The Book Book: A Journey into Bookmaking (Hardcover)
It's really rare to come across a book so creative in it's presentation of the process of making a story and book. In our world there is an excess of instruction and a lack of free flowing creativity which this book encourages. The beautiful illustrations and fun, unique layouts prompt ideas instead of prescribing them, and it is a joy to read. This book inspires.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creative, Charming and Inspiring, April 29, 2011
This review is from: The Book Book: A Journey into Bookmaking (Hardcover)
I'm a bookmaker and have a large collection of books on how to make books. There are so many volumes out now that just rehash the same blank structures. This book is so pleasingly different. Even though it's geared for children, I find it inspirational. It's quirky in a way that fills me with delight every time I pick it up. Its focus is on how to imaginatively come up with content, but it does cover some structures as well, using materials that are obviously meant for children, but interesting enough for adults to adapt for their own purposes (types of accordion books, shaped books, flip books, and a double scroll in a box that she calls a "TV Book," among others).
But the strength of this book lies in how it presents making content to fill those handmade books. In my view, this is something desperately needed for bookmakers of all ages. She compares the opening of a book cover to the opening of a door on a house, inviting people inside to see the whole other world that is in there. She makes bookmaking feel like a great adventure--she encourages putting together a "storehouse of treasures and secrets" that can be arranged into a story, and tells you how to do it. "Sometimes little things become important, like words that have a nice sound," she advises. "You need to let yourself float along with your story. Fall in love with words." Good advice for writers of any age. This book is filled with little gems like that.
She suggests ways to explore paper and mediums (all things that can likely be found around the house) and one's environment to find inspiration. She provides little writing prompts designed to tap into the imagination, and to show children how they can use what is familiar to them to create a narrative. It's illustrated throughout with fun textural mixed media collages composed from found items. I can imagine children thinking "I could do that!" Yet this book is not dumbed down. It's obvious the author respects the children she writes for, and that she also remembers what it's like to be excited by creating and imagining. Heck, she makes *me*--a middle-aged artist--want to playfully explore and write more.
In addition, it's a well-designed and interesting book in its own right, with its rounded corners and lovely, quirky and fun illustrations. It's sweet and charming, in a way that isn't hokey.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not enough instruction-not what I thought it would be, July 2, 2008
This review is from: The Book Book: A Journey into Bookmaking (Hardcover)
This book is cute on the cover and the book has rounded edges like a small journal..However, it lacks content. It would be good for grade schoolers that would like to explore writing a book. As far as making books, it has a very small section in back with vague instruction on actually making books. I wouldn't purchase this again and actually would send it back if I could.
I wanted a book that explained the actual binding methods or fun book binding projects for children/young adults..this isn't it.
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