Teaching Kids How to Make a Book Jacket

You may allow children to work in groups or individually.

Whether you’re teaching students or helping your kids, making a book jacket is a way to teach them about the publishing business. For example, you teach them about how books are created or may inspire them to become an illustrator, copy editor or publisher. Also, making a book jacket allows kids to show their creativity. Kids can make a book jacket, which consists of a paper cover with promotional material printed on it, using a published book. You also have the option of allowing them to write a story before teaching them how to make a book jacket.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Large construction paper or drawing paper
• Lined paper
• Pencils
• Markers/crayons
• Scissors
• Glue

Instructions

1. Study different book jacket designs. Have the children look at a variety of books. Let the children discuss how they think the artist decided on the style and image. You also want the children to pick out aspects of the book jacket like the summary, pictures, fonts and styles used.

2. Write the book summary for the interior flap of the jacket. If kids authored the book, brainstorm about making a summary that attracts readers’ attention, but stay true to the book. If you’re using a published book, discuss the book’s storyline and how to write a good description. Stress to the kids that they must write a short, concise but informative summary. This may take several drafts.

3. Create the summary pages. Cut two strips of lined paper for the summary. You want the two strips approximately four inches wide and the same length as the book jacket. Write the final draft of the summary on the front flap strip. If the kids run out of room, have them finish on the second strip or the back flap.

4. Place a large sheet of construction or drawing paper on a flat surface. Put the book — with the spine down — on top of the paper. Have the kids fold each end around the covers leaving about four inches on each side of the book. Glue the front flap strip down, then the back flap.

5. Construct the jacket cover. When designing the book jacket, kids can use colored pencils or makers, or make a collage. Allow them to use different fonts or draw pictures to make their designs. Place the title of the book along with the author’s name or names on the book jacket.

Tips & Warnings

• If part of the project doesn’t require the kids to author their own books, allow them to choose their favorite books. You can also give them the option of picking a book with a jacket cover they don’t like and changing it.

• You may want kids to make a couple of drafts of their book jacket design before placing it on the cover. The kids can pick the design they like the best.

References

• Education.com: Make a Book Jacket; Alicia Danyali