Altered Books on a Saturday Afternoon…

Saturday afternoons can find you immersed in an altered book project if you aren’t careful… At the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Children’s Department the monthly program, Informal Handmade Books has become more of an impromptu altered book gathering.  Last Saturday my daughters came to the library with me for the day and brought their altered books and supplies.  While working at the table another regular friend of Informal Handmade Books joined them and began to create.  Soon they were joined by five more young artists – for the entire afternoon!  I think we’re going to meet again this Saturday. 

More Arthropods in Your Backyard…

 

Photo David Cappaert, Michigan State University, United States

Right now I’m planning my programs for this year’s Summer Reading Club, Catch the Reading Bug. . I’d like to share some of my ideas and projects with you, so today I’ll give you an overview of what I’m planning.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll post the instructions with photos of the activities.  You can always refer to the list of resources that will be updated as new and interesting materials come to light. 

Nature Detectives

Nature Detectives will focus on the “sense of wonder” that can happen when a child examines insects up close.  Large photos on wall-sized scrolls invite children and adults to appreciate the beauty and detail of these under-appreciated creatures.  Observation, investigation, and inquiry will lend insight into

• Why do we study insects?
• What roles do insects have in the balance of nature?
•  How important are insects in the ecological web?
• Why is insect conservation important?
• How does metamorphosis happen?

To add interest and to draw children into the topic I like to create large visuals as a backdrop.  Oversized insect scrolls and panels can be made by searching for copyright free images on the web at Insect Images.  I taped 19” x 24” Strathmore Bristol Board panels together to form a large accordion-fold structure.  Then I painted/sponged the accordion scroll in various colors of nature to blend with the color printouts of the insects.  If you prefer, black foam core is also a very dramatic presentation background.This nature scroll concept works well for a variety of Nature Detective topics.  It can be used to illustrate complete and incomplete metamorphosis.  I have a number of these folded accordions on topics like birds of prey, wetlands, and nests.  They store and travel very nicely so they can be used from year to year as well as for workhops and presentations.

Other visual/display materials used for discussion and activities are

• Nature Journals
• Specimens
• Tools for investigation/observation (binoculars, magnifying glasses)
• Books and field guides

Handmade Books

This summer Handmade Books will embrace and reflect the SRC theme when children create books that contain information and stories about insects and bugs through design, words, drawings and visuals.  Activities represented will include 

• Books from one piece of paper
• Accordion fold book and ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)
• Nature Journals
• Altered books

Informal Handmade Books on Saturday afternoons will offer altered books.  Visits to the William R. Oliver Special Collections Room at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will give children and adults the opportunity to view rare and unique materials that feature illustrations of insects, bugs, and arachnids created long before cameras could capture close-up shots emphasizing the importance of observation, investigation, and art. It’s all about children being exposed to the book arts, telling their strories through the book format, making the literacy connection, and having fun. 

 

Arthropods in Your Backyard!

Photo, Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org

Arthropods in Your Backyard

Last Tuesday I traveled from Pittsburgh, PA across the state to the Montgomery County-Norristown Library to present a workshop on Handmade Books to a wonderful group of librarians who are preparing programs and activities for their summer reading club.  Since the theme for the summer reading club is Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library the afternoon was all about books that can be created with insects as the focus.  (I brought large folded insect scrolls for display on the walls – just to get everyone in the mood.)  We began by creating books from one piece of paper and proceeded to altered books.  An altered book actually celebrates the format of the book by saving an unwanted book from a trip to the land fill and transforming it into a work of art.  We talked about selecting the book, supplies, techniques, and adding textures and embellishments.  So, for those of you who have Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library for your theme, or for those of you who just love arthropods, here are some helpful resources and links.

    

 General Information and Resources 

• Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Butterflies & Moths by Jim Arnosky 

• Eyewitness Handbooks: Butterflies and Moths by David Carter 

• Eyewitness: Insect by Lawrence Mound Insectigations: 40 Hands-On Activities to Explore the Insect World by Cindy Blobaum 

• My First Pocket Guide: Insects by Daniel J. Bickel 
• National Audubon Society First Field Guide to Insects by Christina Wilsdon
• Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists: Butterflies by Jonathan P. Latimer & Karen Stray Nolting
• Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists: Caterpillars by Jonathan P. Latimer & Karen Stray Nolting
• What’s That Bug? by Nan Froman,  illustrated by Julian Mulock
• World of animals: Insects and Other Invertebrates (10 Volume set)     

Insect Information and Links

• Australian Museum Online - Insect fact sheets, basic information, and links to resources.
• Animal Diversity Web: Insects - Information, images, sounds, and specimens with a particular emphasis on classification.
• Bugs and Insects - Activities arranged by grade level and subject.
• BugGuide - Online field guide to insects, spiders, and other arthropods created and maintained by naturalists.
• Chuck’s Butterfly Page - Photograph’s of specimens and the metamorphosis of several species.
• Entomology for Kids and Teachers: University of Kentucky -Extensive kid-focused site by the Department of Entomology includes resources, lesson plans, images, and much more.
• Monarch Watch - Everything about monarchs from the University of Kansas including research, facts, tagging kits, conservation, butterfly gardening, and migration.
• Monarch Watch Blog   - Official blog of Monarch Watch. 
• Insect Identification - Field guide from the Texas A&M Department of Entomology.
• Insect Images - Image database for public use  through a joint project from University of Georgia and the USDA Forest Service.
• Inset Macro Photography  - Incredible macro photography by M. Plonsky (use with permission from photographer).
• Insect Masks - Large printable insect masks from Alien Empire site at pbs.org.
• Insectclopedia: Insect Research Portal - Volumes of information on all aspects of entomology on this growing insect portal.
• What’s That Bug? - Ask questions, read other bug lovers’ inquiries, and view lots of cool pictures on this site all about insect identification.
• Wild Times for Kids: Insects - Booklet in PDF format with lots of information and activities.
• Virtual Insects and a Spider - Really cool site with insect animation.

 Check back for updates…

Some of my favorite resources… « Into Nature, Books, and Art Weblog

Some of my favorite resources… « Into Nature, Books, and Art Weblog

Some of my favorite resources…

                    

I have my favorite resources on book arts in print and on the Web that I refer to consistently.  I’ll add titles and sites from time to time.  There are always new finds to peruse and share.  That is, of course, one of the purposes of this blog.  I’ve been waiting for months for Alisa Golden’s latest treasure, Painted Paper: Techniques & Projects for Handmade Books and Cards.  If creating your own handmade books isn’t enough, she’s taken it up a notch by sharing her techniques, suggestions, and projects for painting your own paper while relating to the message or theme of your piece.  As a lways Alisa Golden, book artist and author, gives her audience another must-have book.  Her work has appeal to the person new to book arts as well as the experienced artist. Esther K. Smith, book artist and Purgatory Pie Press founder among her credits, has written How to Make Books: Fold, Cut & Stitch Your Way to a One-of-a-Kind Book. With easy-to-follow illustrations by Lindsay Smith and photos by David Michael Zimmerman this book with its unusual format makes you want to grab it off of the bookstore shelf.  One perusal and I was hooked.  I had to take it home.  Sections on instant books, zines, accordions, and mutant books give a new attitude to the bookmaking process.  Get ready to be inspired!  With that said, here are some of my other favorites: 

1000 Artist Trading Cards: Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs by Patricia Bolton, ISBN 1592533345

Art and Craft of Handmade Books: New Ideas and Innovative Techniques  by Shereen LaPlantz, ISBN 1579904386

Art of the Scrapbook: A Guide to Handbinding, and Decorating Memory Books, Albums, and Art Journals  by Diane Mauer-Mathison, ISBN  0823010198

Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap by Bernie Berlin, ISBN 1581808488

Artists’ Journals & Sketchbooks: Exploring and Creating Personal Pages by Lynne Perrella, ISBN  1592530192

Bookworks: Books, Memory and Photo Albums, Journals, and Diaries Made by Hand  by Sue Doggett, ISBN 0823004910

Bookworks: Making Books by Hand  by Gwenyth Swain, ISBN 1575050730 

Books Unbound  by Michael Jacobs, ISBN 158180718X   

Cover to Cover: Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals & Albums by Shereen LaPlantz, ISBN 0937274879 

Crafting Personal Shrines: Using Photos, Mementos & Treasures to Create Artful Displays  by Carol Oweny Paul, ISBN 157990811X

 

 

 

Creating Handmade Books  by Alisa Golden,  ISBN 0806988258

The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks & Albums Made Simply Beautiful  by Gwen Diehn, ISBN 1579905129   The Decorated Journal: Creating Beautifully Expressive Journal Pages by Gwen Diehn, ISBN  1579909566The Essential Guide to Making Handmade Books  by Gabrielle Fox,  ISBN 1581800193

Drawing from Life: The Journal As Art  by Jennifer New, ISBN 1568984456

The Encyclopedia of Papermaking & Bookbinding: The Definitive Guide to Making, Embellishing, and Repairing Paper, Books, and Scrapbooks  by Heidi Reimer-Epp & Mary Reimer   

 

Expressive Handmade Books by Alisa Golden, ISBN 1402751818 

Handcrafted Journals, Albums, Scrapbooks & More  by Marie Browning, ISBN 0806922672

How to Make Books: Fold, Cut & Stitch Your Way to a One-of-a-Kind Book by Esther K. Smith, ISBN  0307353362

Literacy Through the Book Arts  by Paul Johnson, ISBN 0435087665  

Making Books & Journals: 20 Great Weekend Projects  by Constance E. Richards, ISBN 1579900925  

Making Books That Fly, Fold, Wrap, Hide, Pop Up, Twist and Turn: Books for Kids to Make by Gwen Diehn, ISBN 1579903266  

Making Memory Books and Journals by Hand  by Kristina Feliciano, Jason Thompson, & Barbara Mauriello, ISBN  1571456244

Mixed-Media Nature Journals: New Techniques for Exploring Nature, Life, and Memories by L.K. Ludwig, ISBN 1592533671

More Making Books by Hand: Exploring Miniature Books, Alternative Structures, and Found Objects by Peter and Donna Thomas, ISBN 1592530745 

Paper by Jeanette Bakker et al, ISBN 1740457455

Paper Making and Bookbinding  by Joanne B. Kaar, ISBN 186108286X

Unique Handmade Books  by Alisa Golden, ISBN 1402706146

Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos & Altered Books by Linda Woods & Karen Dinino, ISBN 1581807708  

So, What About Those Altered Books? 

There are several books that have a lot to offer for the altered book artist (new or seasoned).   

Altered Book Collage by Barbara Matthiessen Altered Book Scrapbook by Susan Ure 

Altered Books Workshop by  Bev Brazelton 

AlterThis! Radical Ideas for Transforming Books into Art  by Alena Hennessy 

Art of Fabric Books: Innovative Ways to Use Fabrics in Scrapbooks, Altered Books and More by Jane Bode Smiley 

Montage Memories: Creating Altered Scrapbook Pages by  Erika Ghum & Pamela Frye Hauer 

New Directions in Altered Books by Gabe Cyr  (I’m especially drawn to this book because of the artist’s approach to the subject and obvious respect for the book form.)  

 

 

   

Here are a few sites the have good information, interesting projects, and visuals on altered books. 

Altered Books

art-e-zine

Creative Art Space for Kids Foundation

Creativity Portal: Altered Books

Text, Image, and Form: The Altered Book Project

International Society of Altered Book Artists

Karen’s Whimsy

Make a Mini Altered Book

Art Centers/Organizations 

Organizations, museums, and centers for the book that promote book arts and the vital role that the arts have in the development of children, literacy, and learning.  These sources offer curriculum ideas, proactive efforts for change, and research that supports this current area of concern.  

 

Arts Education Partnership

The Book Art Project

Book Arts Web

Booklyn Artists Alliance

the imagine nation 

Minnesota Center for Book Arts 

National Museum of Women in the Artsabc: art, books, & creativity: arts learning in the classroom 

Pyramid Atlantic

San Diego Museum of Art: Education 

San Francisco Center for the Book

  

Publications that have unlimited ideas for when you have that creative block and just need some inspiration or when you just want to know what’s new in the field.

Somerset Studio Gallery - Special issue packed with 800 photos of of artwork as well as instructions on a variety of projects.

Somerset Studio: The Art of Paper and Mixed-Media  - Meant to inspire as well as inform, this is a must-read for those interested in paper arts, techniques, materials and innovations.  

Cloth Paper Scissors  

The Bonefolder: an e-journal for the bookbinder and book artist   

And Let’s Not Forget the Blogs… 

Artful Journeys

Teacher Features: Thoughts on Bookmaking with Kids  San Francisco Center for the Book’s blog.  SFCB is a wonderful kid-centered place with a great website filled with project ideas and lots of creativity. 

Making Books with Children – Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord  

Storypockets

Wonderful blog from Constance Wong (children’s librarian) that contains all the news and events straight from the Children’s Department, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.  Link to it to read and see video and photos from my latest Handmade Books program focusing on altered books.  I’ll continue with more on altered books and children next time.  Thanks for reading…   

A Different Kind of Fairy Abode

This altered book begins its second life as a fairy house.  It awaits changes and embellishments on my drawing table.   It is one of several I have in progress.  Each has a different story to tell.   I’ll be sharing these altered books as they take on their new lives and evolve. 

Hello, my name is Debbie « Into Nature, Books, and Art Weblog

Hello, my name is Debbie « Into Nature, Books, and Art Weblog

The Reason for This Blog… « Into Nature, Books, and Art Weblog

The Reason for This Blog… « Into Nature, Books, and Art Weblog

The Reason for This Blog…

Recently, I’ve been doing workshops for librarians and educators where I present two programs about which I feel very strongly.  Nature Detectives and Handmade Books provide a wide variety of opportunities and experiences for children to connect to the envoronment, express themselves artistically, and grow creatively and intellectually.  It occurs to me that it would be great to keep in touch with the people I meet who are also enthusiastic about the programs I share with them.  So, why not a blog?  I can provide updates, new information, and hopefully create a dialog with others who work with children and feel the urgency to get children envolved with nature, books, and art.  

“..it is not half so important to know as it is to feel.”                                      

Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder 

 

Nature Detectives

 

As Rachel Carson emphasized the importance of a child’s curiosity, exploration and appreciation of the world around us, the program series Nature Detectives celebrates and encourages that part of a child’s world that can stop and wonder at the gifts of nature.  Through stories, open-ended questions, shared experiences, specimens and art activities observing, inquiring, questioning, and creating are encouraged.   

Through the Section of Education at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History we are able to borrow a wide variety of specimens: mounts, study skins, displays, and topic boxes that inspire lively and enthusiastic discussion filled with questions, observations, and shared experiences.  The art activity that concludes the program serves as a creative form of expression that ties it all together.  Each child can take their own interpretation of that day’s Nature Detectives home to not only remind them of their afternoon, but to encourage further thought and wonder on their own.  

In addition, there is a current realization of the need for children to have access to experience the outdoors.  Richard Louv in his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, cites the trend for children nowadays to be engaged in more sedentary indoor activities, thus becoming disconnected from nature.  Children need to have a relationship with nature not only for their own health, intellectual and social development, and creativity but for our planet’s survival as well, because they will be its caretakers. 

Richard Louv is also the Chairman of The Children & Nature Network, a nonprofit organization that promotes opportunities for children to experience nature and the outdoors.  C&NN supports the concept of “Leave No Child Inside” with extensive research and solutions to this problem.  

In the Children’s Department at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, we hope that Nature Detectives is one answer that invites children to explore the outdoors and that art can be a vehicle for the expression of that relationship.   Over the years that I’ve been doing Nature Detectives an interesting thing has happened.  I’ve become more aware of my world.  I celebrate the return of the falcons to the Cathedral of Learning, the change of seasons, the emerging monarch butterfly from its crysalis.    

“Why is it that while most learning comes through books, so little is processed through the book form?”                              

Paul Johnson, Literacy Through the Book Arts

Handmade Books

Through a variety of simple folds, a piece of paper can become a blank palette for a magical way to express and share the creativity, stories, and dreams that every child has inside him or her.   Although children do love to tell their own stories, a blank piece of lined paper can be intimidating. When I see new faces at Handmade Books I often say, “Did you know that I can make a book out of a single piece of paper?”  I’ll demonstrate a simple fold and then the magic of seeing a three-dimensional form being created catches their attention.  Place a few glue sticks, scissors, markers and colorful paper in the middle of the table and the sound of stories being told fills the air.  The children are eager to make their own books.

Over the years, two very different formats have evolved.  Handmade Books focuses on a story or presentation that introduces a selected fold or design, the instruction, and the book making process.  Informal Handmade Books, on a Saturday afternoon, offers a sense of leisurely and relaxed creating, often with variety of materials and endless possibilities.  Children, parents, grandparents, and caregivers are the participants in what has become a family activity.