Books are awfully decorative

tiny book ornaments, simplified + some of our favorite kids' books to give

Yesterday Bea and I made book ornaments with her second grade class. We had only about an hour and fifteen minutes, plus these are second graders, so we knew we needed to simplify things from the first version.

Here’s how we did it:

1. Before going into class, I used my handy paper cutter to make small books, folding just one stack of 4-5 pages per book.

2. Then instead of sewing I stapled the books, twice, across the spine. I made enough for everyone to have two books (this took less than an hour).

3. In class, I gave each kid two books and a piece of watercolor paper. We talked about making a small version of a book they really love, or a book someone in their family loves (for a gift). I explained that the book could be an ornament, or just a decoration to keep on a shelf or desk.

4. Most kids chose to make ornaments. They cut paper slightly larger than the size of the book, folded flat. They folded this paper. Then they cut decorative string, and taped it along the book’s outer spine to make a loop for hanging. They glued the outer pages to the inside front and back covers (a single, folded piece of watercolor paper).

5. Finally, they decorated the covers using watercolors and markers. I thought that they’d need me to show them an image of the books they wanted to model their ornaments after (if they didn’t have the books with them), but most kids either recalled the books from memory or chose to make up their own cover designs. I loved this, and the books turned out great!

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We have also been doing a lot of Christmas shopping at our local bookstore. We put together a little gift guide for our fellow last-minute shoppers (although, does it really count as last-minute unless it’s Christmas Eve?).

For a cousin you hope will share your interest in mythology…

D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths!

Here’s what Bea says (in her commercial voice): “A fabulous book—fun for the whole family. Ages six and up can read and learn all about ancient Greece. How were the seasons created? What’s it like to be married to Zeus? Find out in D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths!”

For a cousin who already shares your taste…

“Rick Riordan’s Daughter of the Deep is a great choice for anyone who loves the ocean, and especially people who like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (the book it’s based on). Here’s the thing about Rick Riordan: he writes a lot of books. When you finish one series, there’s always another.”

For a reader who loves to read books in a series…

Realistic fiction: Merci Suárez Changes Gears (follow this up with Merci Suárez Can’t Dance) by Meg Medina is a favorite. Bea says: “I love Merci Suarez because she’s funny and a good friend. Sometimes she might not make the right choice, but she always makes up for it. These books are also realistic about being a big sister and a member of a family.” The third book comes out next year!

Historical fiction: The Birchbark House Series by Louise Erdrich! We have read and listened to these beautiful, important books many times.

Fantasy: Bea just started Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi. Here’s why she can’t put it down: “It’s very funny, and all of the characters are great. It has two female main characters. Like the Rick Riordan books, it has more than three books in the series. This keeps you occupied!”

For a sports or adventure enthusiast, or someone who just loves well-told true stories…

All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat. Fascinating and thorough, with edge-of-your seat suspense, this book is a great family read (and is another one we picked out for some cousins). Here’s what Bea says: “It’s a cliffhanger and if I hadn’t been reading it with my mom, I would have stayed up all night reading it.”

For someone who loves nature and beautiful photography…

The DK Readers Wonders of Nature Book is such a beautiful book! (And really well-priced for the quality.) It’s where Bea learned about desert rose crystals. (Pair with World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil for a great kid-parent gift combo!).

For a preschooler who loves to see the same characters in multiple stories…

The Mog Treasury or The Lilly and Friends Treasury are two of Harriet’s favorites.

For a preschooler who loves Frog and Toad or Corduroy…

Choose a lesser-known book by the same author/illustrator. We love Lobel’s Fables, Uncle Elephant, Grasshopper on the Road, and of course Mouse Tales and Mouse Soup. Don Freeman’s Dandelion is also really charming.

If you want to give a classic book…

Why not Anne of Green Gables, Harriet the Spy, My Side of the Mountain, or Pippi Longstocking (Michelle Obama’s childhood favorite)? Or what about the Ramona Quimby series?

For a younger kid, why not one of the Frances books, like Bread and Jam for Frances or Best Friends for Frances? Or an Eloise book you don’t have, like Eloise in Moscow?

For a slightly older kid (middle school or early high school), my top recommendation is The Count of Monte Cristo—everybody loves this book.

Hope you’re getting some time to relax and maybe enjoy this unseasonable-but-beautiful weather. We’re going to post next week about a few papercraft ideas, including homemade wrapping paper, gift tags, and fun things to take in the car on a trip.

P.S. If you have flour, salt, and water, you can make salt dough ornaments!

P.P.S. If you have a jar and some water, you can make a moon bath—the cold moon is tomorrow night!