wet watercolor process on diffusion
paper to color their covers.
We chose to make simple accordion books. A variety of materials
were used for illustration: pencil,
pen, paint, collage, and marker. Each
book had a colorful ribbon closure.
The participants made two books,
one to share and one to keep for
friends and family.
The project culminated with
an afternoon tea party and book
exchange at Vowles Elementary. The
party was hosted by Principal Mike
Ross and the parents, who generously donated cookies and punch.
Senior citizens and elementary students shared their books and stories
were read to the entire group. The
success of the project was measured
not only by the finished books but
by the smiles, laughter, and tears of
the participants as well.
Cindy Smith is art teacher and coordinator for Mount Pleasant Public Schools
in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.cy smith@
edzone.net
Judy Kay Thurston is assistant professor
at Central Michigan University. thurs1jk@
cmich.edu
NATIONAL STANDARD
Students select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning.
WEB LINK
www.davisart.com/Portal/Com-merce/ CommerceDefault.aspx?curP
age=ProductDetails&productID=90
Materials
• paper for book covers
• marbling solution
• acrylic paint
• watercolors
• diffusion paper
• paper for book pages
• cardboard for support
for covers
• ribbon and other
embellishments
• board for cover support
Note: The board we used to
make the covers was donated by
a local frame shop. We were able
to complete 338 books at a cost
of $200.
