How
Clamshell books are a great way to make reading not only informative, but also fun. Children are not interested in looking at letters in books, but bright and voluminous pictures will attract their attention and leave what they read in their memory.
Many of these books can be found in stores. But we suggest you make a clamshell book yourself. You can connect your child to this process, it will be really exciting for him, and you can choose the topic of the book that you want.
What is a clamshell book
The clamshell book itself is a book with three-dimensional pictures. Books of this format can be on any topic. These can be educational materials or children's stories.
The volumetric figures that the child will find among the pages attract attention. Reading becomes more fun and interesting.
How to do it yourself
Making a clamshell book with your own hands is a simple task. There are several materials from which you can make such a souvenir. The most suitable will be cardboard. It is convenient and easy to work with, while it is a fairly strong material, and will not tear immediately, as soon as it falls into the hands of a child.
To make a book you will need materials such as:
- cardboard or thick paper;
- blank drawings or finished pictures;
- paints;
- glue for cardboard;
- scissors;
- Scotch.
This set is enough to create a simple clamshell book. If you wish, you can add decorative elements, for example, ribbons, stones and other bright and beautiful elements.
Preparation for work
First, decide on the model of the book.
The main ones are:
- bilateral;
- semicircular;
- standard;
How to make the last option is described above. The other two will be a little more difficult. In order to start creating a book, you need to prepare all the details. Making a clamshell book is similar to the applique process.
Standard model
It is necessary to cut out various shapes from sheets of cardboard: squares, circles, triangles, rhombuses, etc. Apply drawings to them using glue. On the pages, you can also apply drawings with paints, and then fasten them with tape.
So we get an ordinary standard book, in which colored and bright applications or drawings will be pasted in.
Double sided model
Making a double-sided model is also not difficult. To do this, you will need all the same materials, only the set needs to be supplemented with colored paper. Decide on the subject of the book.
If it is a fairy tale, then prepare figurines of fairy tale characters, flowers, the sun and others. Drawings can be made with 3D effect.
For this, fairytale characters, flowers and any other elements are glued to the page not completely, but partially in the center.The edges are left free. Then they are bent, which results in a three-dimensional picture.
Semicircular model
The semicircular version is also an interesting clamshell book model. To create it you will need:
- colored and decorative paper for jewelry;
- pencil;
- compass;
- Scotch;
- glue;
- satin ribbon.
With a compass, you need to draw two circles. Their diameter should be approximately 100 mm. Then they are cut out and traced in such a way that 4 triangles come out.
Then the circles are folded in half, the upper part is fixed with an angle, and the lower one is folded inward. As a result, you will get an original figure, inside which pictures are pasted, and the free space of the pages is decorated with decorative paper.
Fabric model
You can also make a soft, fabric model. Such a book becomes a fascinating toy in the hands of children. Any of the aforementioned models can be made fabric using soft filling and pieces of fabric.
They can be used to make mini-toys that fit into a book or just sheathe the pages.
Folder-clamshell do it yourself
In the same way, you can make a clamshell folder with your own hands. For kids, fairy tales with pictures can be placed on such folders, it will be interesting for them to consider the characters.
For older children, the folder can be placed at the table where they do their homework, the school schedule, rules for some school subjects, etc. can be placed there.
To create a folder, you will definitely need cardboard, transparent or colored film, and decorative items for decoration.
Advantages and disadvantages of the toy
The clamshell book certainly has its advantages. First of all, strength. Since such toys are made of thick cardboard, the child will not be able to tear it. The second is the brightness of the design. This version of the book is much more interesting and attractive than paper ones. Bright and voluminous pictures attract children's attention.
If we talk about the shortcomings, then they are practically nonexistent. Unless, it is your child who will not appreciate such a toy, because he is more interested in cars or dolls.
Making such a book with your own hands with your child is a great pastime. Try to give your kid such a gift, believe me, he will be happy to receive it.
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