I'd be interested in finding books about making books! I used to make a LOT of books with my 3rd and 4th graders. We wrote DAILY. We published books for the art fair every year. I'd like to think I helped some students become lifelong writers... Honestly, the best way, IMHO, for kids to become good writers is... FOR THEM TO READ! We made all kinds of books covering all subjects, so their writing was across the curriculum (so I could justify the time to my administrator!) I think the project I was most proud of was when I told my 5th graders to go home and do an oral interview with the grandparents or other living relatives, bring back those stories, and we wrote them on paper bags that they dipped into water and let dry, like a canvas. Some of the stories were FASCINATING! I always loved making different books with my students! And, honestly, if the teacher isn't into writing, his or her love of writing won't be shared with the students. One has to love writing, one has to enjoy it, one has to be enthusiastic to pass on that love of writing to others.
Kids RARELY read entire books now. They read excerpts from books. However, the granddaughter's 5th grade teacher read several great books aloud to the class: The Giver, The Diary of Anne Frank, and something else which I've now forgotten. The granddaughter USED to devour books, but now that she's in middle school, I'm noticing that she, too, only reads maybe the first couple of chapters.
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a special book and well worth reading again and again. Regarding potential resources for children about Johannes Gutenberg, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany links to a free digital library of over 100,500 titles. The museum shop also sells a variety of related items. Last summer, my husband and I enjoyed a fascinating tour of the museum where I was allowed to operate a replica of Gutenberg's press, printing a copy of John 1. The original Gutenberg bibles with their beautiful illustrations encased in protective plexiglass were beautiful treasures to see.
Ink on His Fingers by Louise A. Vernon (historical fiction about Johann Gutenberg)
How a Book is Made by Aliki
Not sure if these are what you're looking for, but I thought I'd mention these titles I found.
Ink on His Fingers looks especially promising!
The Aliki book is GREAT! It's one of my favorites.
I'd be interested in finding books about making books! I used to make a LOT of books with my 3rd and 4th graders. We wrote DAILY. We published books for the art fair every year. I'd like to think I helped some students become lifelong writers... Honestly, the best way, IMHO, for kids to become good writers is... FOR THEM TO READ! We made all kinds of books covering all subjects, so their writing was across the curriculum (so I could justify the time to my administrator!) I think the project I was most proud of was when I told my 5th graders to go home and do an oral interview with the grandparents or other living relatives, bring back those stories, and we wrote them on paper bags that they dipped into water and let dry, like a canvas. Some of the stories were FASCINATING! I always loved making different books with my students! And, honestly, if the teacher isn't into writing, his or her love of writing won't be shared with the students. One has to love writing, one has to enjoy it, one has to be enthusiastic to pass on that love of writing to others.
That is such a neat project! And I completely agree -- loving to read is the first step in learning to write.
Kids RARELY read entire books now. They read excerpts from books. However, the granddaughter's 5th grade teacher read several great books aloud to the class: The Giver, The Diary of Anne Frank, and something else which I've now forgotten. The granddaughter USED to devour books, but now that she's in middle school, I'm noticing that she, too, only reads maybe the first couple of chapters.
Oh yes, reading excerpts and calling it a book is a real problem. It sounds like that 5th grade teacher had some great read alouds, though!
We've enjoyed The Bee Tree, Marguerite Makes a Book, and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch - and I was happy to see a couple new-to-me titles on here.
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a special book and well worth reading again and again. Regarding potential resources for children about Johannes Gutenberg, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany links to a free digital library of over 100,500 titles. The museum shop also sells a variety of related items. Last summer, my husband and I enjoyed a fascinating tour of the museum where I was allowed to operate a replica of Gutenberg's press, printing a copy of John 1. The original Gutenberg bibles with their beautiful illustrations encased in protective plexiglass were beautiful treasures to see.
Thank you for the recommendation! I will look into these books.
Carry On, Mr Bowditch is a favorite of mine too. I love your writing and the way your love of books shines through.
Thank you for this list, I have only ever read the Bee Tree, (thank you Five In A Row) with my children.
The Bee Tree is wonderful! I hope you will enjoy some of the others, too.