From the Forest to the Shelf: How Books, Paper & Pencils Are Made
Overview
Here are a few resources for learning how books as well as paper and pencils get made. Note: This “unit” is just a list of resources - it doesn’t include any type of assessment. You could certainly make your own if you need it!! However, at the end I have a PDF download link that you are welcome to use if it would help you!!
Resources and Links
Watch “How Wood Turns Into Paper” on YouTube. It contains video footage from real factories, but it requires the viewer (or another strong reader) to read the words on the screen. There are no spoken words to explain it. This video was deleted.
Watch “How We Make Pencils” by Faber-Castell on YouTube. This video shows colored pencils being made. It also requires a strong reader to read the words off the screen, as they don’t stay on there long.
Read “How a Book is Made,” written and illustrated by Aliki (Reading Rainbow, 1986). Some of this information is probably outdated, but if you get ahold of it there is enough information that still holds true to be helpful.
Watch How is a Book Made? on YouTube. It reinforced some of the info from Aliki’s book. Since I have no experience with the making of a book, I didn’t know what information was still applicable in 2022. But, apparently the Reading Rainbow book by Aliki isn’t completely out of date - there are still 4 color inks that the paper is sent through separately - who knew!? - and it still is printed on large paper and cut down to size, etc.
Watch Mass Production Process of Books. Printing Factory in Korea. This YouTube video is about 8 minutes long, there is music in the background - no speaking. This video shows the process from printing to binding and cutting the books. It is a view inside a real factory. Definitely watch the previous video before viewing this one - to help understand the process. However, my four- and six-year-olds sat mesmerized by this video (just like I had when I watched it before).
Read From Pictures to Words: A Book About Making a Book by Janet Stevens (Holiday House, 1995). (I have provided a link to Amazon, but check it out at your library or try to find it on some of the used book sites from my resource list.)
Write your own story! Have your kid(s) write their own story about whatever topic you or they prefer.
Use this PDF checklist to confirm that they have included all of the items listed on the final page of “From Pictures to Words” (see picture below)
Other Related Resources:
Speaking of Janet Stevens…one of my favorite children’s books of all time is The Great Fuzz Frenzy by her. It never fails to entertain the children I have taught (from classrooms to my own children). If you don’t own it, check it out, find it used, or buy it new. It is fantastic! Her choice of words is a delightful experience in alliteration, onomatopoeia (yes, I had to spell-check that word!), and other literary devices.
Also, if you are interested in continuing the book study of books - see if your local library has “Check It Out: The Book About Libraries” by Gail Gibbons. (She is another author whose work is worth looking at. She has a variety of fascinating nonfiction titles for children.)
