Bookmaking With Kids

Thank you, Linda Block, for introducing us to your easy approach to paper-marbling. A 5th grade teacher who also teaches bookmaking to teachers, Linda presented her technique at the Summer Bookmaking Institute for Teachers this past July.

Linda’s secret ingredient is Prang Freart Chalk. She has her students use plastic knives to scrape little shavings from different colored sticks of chalk into pans of water. Working in pairs, students briefly place a piece of paper onto the surface of the water, fish it out and place it on paper towels to dry.

The process is quick enough and neat enough for all the students to marble several sheets of paper in one class period! Best to give it until the next day to dry. Then use the marbled paper to add an eye-catching, original touch to your bookmaking projects.

Prang Freart Chalk is widely available; do a Google search to find current best prices.