Mini Folding Book
How to Make a Mini Folding Book
OUR HISTORY: Celebrate Youth Art Month! Create a mini folding book that illustrates your autobiography.
An autobiography is a non-fiction story written about the author. Take some time to slow down
and write your story and learn the steps to make a tiny folding book.
Supplies Needed:
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One Standard Size Sheet of Drawing or Copy Paper
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Crayons, Markers or Colored Pencils
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Pencil
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Scissors
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Stapler
Step-by-Step Instructions
We have two different methods for making mini books. Choose which ever works for you!
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Make your Mini-Book: Method 1
Step 1:
Fold a piece of paper into eighths. Spend some time folding, as the
quality of your folds will determine the quality of your book.
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Be sure your folds are even and you crease each one well. Consider sliding your fingernail or something hard such as the edge of a pencil over the crease.
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Start by folding the paper so that it is long and skinny (long edge folded to long edge).
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Then fold the paper in half short edge to short edge.
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Fold the paper in half again, short edge to short edge.
Step 2:
Unfold the paper. You will see eight separate panels. These will become the pages of your book.
Step 3:
Fold the paper short edge to short edge. You should fold the paper in half the opposite way from your first fold.
Step 4:
Cut the paper. Place the paper so that the folded edge is facing you. Then cut along the vertical fold seam in the middle of the paper until it intersects the horizontal fold seam. Be sure you stop cutting at the horizontal seam. You are just cutting a slit in the paper, you are not cutting it all the way across.
Step 5:
Unfold the paper to reveal the cut in the center. Fold the paper in half, long edge to long edge. Repeat your very first fold. The cut part of the paper should fall along the middle of the folded edge.
Step 6:
Fold the paper into a book shape. Turn your paper so that the cut edge is up in the air. Then push the two ends toward each other. Separate the two middle seams from each other. Push the two ends towards each other until you have 4 “wings” moving outward from the center, like a cross or an X. (You will need to reverse the direction of the fold on one of the seams)
Step 7:
Secure your pages with a stapler. At this point you can also cut apart any pages that are attached to reveal more pages. If you plan to have a short story, you may not need to do this step.
Make your Mini-Book: Method 2
Step 1:
Fold a piece of paper into eighths. Spend some time folding, as the
quality of your folds will determine the quality of your book.
-
Be sure your folds are even and you crease each one well. Consider sliding your fingernail or something hard such as the edge of a pencil over the crease.
-
Start by folding the paper so that it is long and skinny (long edge folded to long edge).
-
Then fold the paper in half short edge to short edge.
-
Fold the paper in half again, short edge to short edge.
Step 2:
Unfold the paper. You will see eight separate panels. These will become the pages of your book.
Step 3:
Cut your paper into 4 equal parts by cutting both the horizontal and vertical center lines.
Step 4:
Stack the 4 pieces on top of one another so that all the folds line up vertically.
Step 5:
Staple the center fold.
Step 6:
Close your book and press the folded edge so it keeps its shape.
Write your Story Book
Step 1:
With your book made, you can start planning your book. Using a separate piece of paper you may want to create your title and write out your story. This will help you determine which text will be on which page. You want to be sure you have enough text to fill the book but not too much that it won’t fit.
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Step 2:
Create and color your cover.
Step 3:
Add text to all you pages, leaving room for illustrations.
Step 4:
Draw and color your illustrations. We like to avoid using markers to color because the can bleed through the paper.
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Step 5:
Share your story with your friends and family.
