How to Make a Paper Book Cover

This book cover is created from a brown paper grocery bag and can be made to fit most book sizes. It may not be the prettiest cover in the world, but it will do the job of protecting your book. If you want a fancier cover you can use any other paper material you want, such as posters or gift wrapping paper for example.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flat Work Surfaces
• Rubber Stamps
• Comics From Old Newspapers
• Clear Tapes
• Crayons
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Brown Or White Kraft Papers
• Paper Grocery Bags
• Pencils
• Stickers
• Pencils
• Rubber stamps
• Crayons

1. Cut along the side seam of a brown paper grocery bag and cut out the bottom of the bag. You will be left with a rectangular sheet of paper that measures approximately 17 by 36 inches.

2. Place the paper horizontally on a flat work surface - logo side up.

3. Set your book on top of the paper. Center the book and use a pencil to mark the paper along the top and bottom edges of the book.

4. Remove the book from the paper and fold the top and bottom edges toward the center of the paper from the marked lines. Your book cover will now be the same height as your book.

5. Set the book, open, back on the paper, aligning it with the folds. Center the book and fold the left and right edges of the paper over the front and back covers of the book.

6. Check that the left edge of the paper reaches halfway across the inside front cover and that the right edge covers the same distance on the back cover when the book is closed. Trim the right and left edges of the paper if necessary.

7. Keep the left and right edges of the paper folded in on the front and back covers of the book.

8. Tape each fold in place at the top and bottom of the paper to form pockets for the front and back covers of the book. Use transparent cellophane tape and be sure not to tape the book itself.

9. Decorate the book cover with crayons, stickers or rubber stamps.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use comics from the newspaper instead of a brown paper bag.
• Use brown or white craft paper instead of a grocery bag if you want a tidier look.

[nlw33052]

on 8/21/2008 As a 4th grade teacher, these grocery bag book covers make the best cover - even better than the cloth stretch ones. But .....DO NOT TAPE THE COVER TO THE BOOK. - if you follow step 8 correctly there are pockets form to slide the book cover into. These are very durable and kids can write on them or decorate them, too.

[GmaNelson]

on 6/29/2007 CAUTION: Ink from the comic pages or ANY newsprint may rub off on books or clothing.

on 9/9/2006 Some school's don't want you to leave tape marks or rips in their books, so you might want to ask them first!