This is a creative workbook designed for teachers or other adults to stimulate an interest in writing for elementary-aged children. The workbook provides instructions on how to make over 25 interesting types of books (pop­-up, shape books, zig-­zag books, origami books, etc.). Students will combine words, images, and paper to create their own books, which can be a wonderful way to encourage otherwise reluctant writers to have a good reason to write. Teachers can use the themed books to focus on a relevant topic (e.g.the pyramid book to teach about Ancient Egypt). There is a wonderful section with recommendations for adults on how to make different books for different types of writing (e.g. books for stories, putting events in chronological order, lists, etc.) and themes. There is a wide range of difficulty for making the books, so children can start by making simple projects and more skilled children can create more complicated books although adult help may be needed. Even if an adult makes the book for the child, this writing activity still requires children to organize thoughts, follow directions, and plan their projects. Overall, the book projects can be an effective technique to motivate children of varying interests to write.

• Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
• Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
• Presents educational concepts accurately
• Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
• Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
• Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
• Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)

• Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
• Subject matter and problems are relevant, interesting and authentic to students
• Includes reward stickers
• Visually stimulating and appealing (uses student-centered pictures, colors, and themes)
• Graphics and overall feel of the workbook is appropriate for the target age range
• Relative to most workbooks, fun to use from a child's perspective
• Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
• Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option

• Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
• Student should be able to use independently after first use
• Specific topics/lessons are easy to find
• Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
• Overall - Easy to use

• Fine Motor Skills
• Provides insufficient space or lines for answers
• Organization
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Spatial Perception
• Provides insufficient space or lines for answers
• Visual Discrimination
• Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
• Visual Motor Speed
• Provides insufficient space or lines for answers

Many of the best children's books today are true masterpieces of design, with imaginative texts, pop-ups, pullouts and removable items to stimulate young, enquiring minds. But with such sophisticated models, how can parents and teachers bridge the gap between what children read and what they write themselves? In this all new follow-up to Making Books, Paul Johnson sets out to achieve this aim by showing how children even as young as five can combine words, images and paper engineering to make books as enchanting as those they delight in.