< More Mini Books
DLTK's Educational Ideas - Print and Assemble Books
Mommy Bird
This springtime Mommy Bird mini-book is quite simple with images that should appeal to
young children and simple words that children in PreK
thru Kindergarten should be able
to read themselves (in context with the pictures).
Feel free to make as many copies as you need (just don't sell them as they're meant to be free for all to use.).
Use our Mommy Bird Story Sequencing cards to complement the mini book.
Materials:
- printer,
- paper (you can use a slightly heavier paper for a longer lasting book)
- stapler
- something to color with (if using B&W template)
Directions:
We have prepared a demonstration video about assembling your mini book. Watch it here.
- Print template of choice. The B&W version is fun for young children to color in or for older children to color as gifts for younger ones. I like printing a color cover and B&W pages.
- Color the template pieces if you are doing the B&W version.
NUMBERED PAGES:
If you imagine a 'real' book for a second, you know that each page
has printing on the front and the back. We're going to fold
the pages to make it like a real book.
- Fold each page along the center dotted line so the images are on the OUTSIDE and the blank sides of the paper are on the inside (imagine you're making a greeting card).
- You can use a glue stick, if you like, to glue the pages together (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE COVER!). I don't bother with this step.
Stack the pages, so the odd numbers are on top and the folded edges are lined up. Trim with scissors or paper cutter if needed.
- The important part when trimming is that all of the pages have the same amount cut off. I cut about an inch off of each page.
- Make sure you cut the open side not the folded side!
- This step might require a bit of help from an adult.
COVER PAGE:
- Fold the cover page along the dotted line, again with the images on the outside.
- Cut the same amount off the cover as you did the pages. Make sure you cut the open side not the folded side!
- OPTIONAL: You can laminate the cover page or print it on cardstock if you want it to be more like a real book's cover.
ASSEMBLE THE BOOK:
Open the cover page (like a folder) and slip the pages inside so that when you open the cover you'll see page 1 -- the unfolded edges
of the pages will go against the folded part of the cover.- Close the cover page and tap the book so everything lines up.
- Put three or four staples along the edge to hold the book together.
- Trim again, if needed.
Flip through the book once, carefully folding the pages to make the book easier for the children to read while guarding your Mommy Bird book from the curious cat!
PRINTING the templates
- Close the template window after printing to return to this screen.
- Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).
- There'll be less trimming to do if you also turn off the headers and footers.
Text of
the Mini Book
(so you can read through it before printing)
Pg 1 It is spring!
Pg 2 Mommy bird sees a stick.
Pg 3 Mommy bird sees a tree.
Pg 4 Mommy bird builds a nest.
Pg 5 Mommy bird sits on the eggs.
Pg 6 The eggs hatch.
Pg 7 Mommy bird sees a worm.
Pg 8 Mommy bird feeds the babies.