What is Bookmaking?
Bookmaking stretches the concept of book to include many types of “books” and defines a book as a work of art in and of itself. For instance, second graders each made a “career book.” They used a colored file folder to hold their handmade “resumes,” in which they articulated their adult career ambitions. The students envisioned themselves in many different careers including Humane Society worker, dental assistant, basketball player, swim teacher, veterinarian, bull rider, tap dancer, college student in Mexico, and soldier. The second graders then created a “business card” in which they drew a picture of themselves in their chosen career. The business card was housed in a plastic pouch inside the front leaf of their personalized career portfolio. Zablocki Arts @ Large coordinator Pam Kacala said bookmaking builds self-confidence. She said that the process of bookmaking encourages students to realize how competent they are, improves writing and organizational skills, and enhances cogniti
