What is a book? I’ve been making books since the early 1970’s, and most of the books I’ve made were bound in one way or another. Starting with hard-cover bound books that ‘looked like books,’ I used these to work with classroom teachers who wanted to help their students become more literate by making their own books and telling their own stories. We made all kinds of simple sewn bindings full of drawings, poems, stories, lists, and more. Over the 40+ years I worked with teachers, students, teens, elders, other artists, and friends making books, and this process has given me immeasurable joy! Even better, I witnessed that joy spreading to others as they realized they could design and make their own books and journals, expressing their full range of creativity and further enriching their lives. During that time, my own journals took on a life of their own, taking me in another whole direction to teach journaling. Now, in 2025, the idea of a book has expanded so much that it’s almost hard to decide what form to use for any new idea that I have. Since ancient scrolls and medieval manuscripts, books have evolved to become an amazing assortment of forms and content. These include feats of pop-up engineering as well as luxurious sculptures made of textiles and handmade paper. There are paper bag books, tea bag books, fan books, carousel books, altered books, and so many more. As a result, there are books for every creative project, each as unique as its maker in form and content. So, from my perch at age 80, looking back through all the large and small books in my personal collection, what surprises me most is how the world of handmade books has evolved moving like a spiral seeding so many new ideas and book forms into the world. I am overjoyed that in my young life, I randomly stumbled into this corner of art and craft that has so deepened my own life experiences. And, beyond my joy in making books, this work has created a magnificent community in my life that keeps me young and full of new ideas and adventures. I may in future posts feature the work of some of my favorite book artists. That would be fun! Meanwhile, I’ll post a remnant of one of mine that I like!
