Paper Bag Book Covers

What You Do:

1. Have your child cut the paper bag open at the seam, removing the bottom of the bag so that the paper lays flat.
2. Place the paper on the table. If the paper has logos or other designs that your child doesn't want showing on his book, face that side down.
3. Put the book on the paper. Line up the bottom of the book along the bottom edge of the paper. In pencil, mark a line on the paper where the top of the book is.
4. Remove the book and cut the paper along the marked line.
5. Now make a fold line approximately 3 inches from the left end of the paper. Crease.
6. Slip this flap over the front cover of the open book. Adjust the top or bottom fold as needed for a good fit. Close the book and mark where to crease the right side of the paper. With the book open, fit this right flap over the back cover of the book.
7. Experiment a bit with where to crease and cut the paper to size. Remember that the book cover can't fit too snugly or it won't close properly. When you and your child are satisfied with the fit, tape the paper bag flaps down.
8. Once the cover is finished, all your child needs to do is decorate his masterpiece! Remind him a stack of brown paper books are hard to tell apart. He should at least write his name and the title of the textbook on each cover. The blank paper is also a great place to record important dates like tests and when papers are due.