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Make Your Own Book Printable

  • Books & Language Arts
  • Grades 1-3

Discover the art of storytelling with your very own printable — and draw inspiration from two of America’s greatest writers, Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison! Whether it’s fictional or autobiographical, write and illustrate a story about overcoming a challenge and finding hope along the way.

printDownload Template

Materials


Foam Stickers
Friendship Thread (Optional)

Book Template Printable

Construction Paper

Pen/Pencil

Crayons/Colored Pencils

Tape/Glue

Scissors

Stapler

Magazines (Optional)

Personal Pictures (Optional)

Hole Punch (Optional)

Instructions


Step  1.

Print out the book template and start brainstorming your story ideas! 

Step  1.

Print out the book template and start brainstorming your story ideas! 

Step  2.

Write out your story’s beginning, middle, and end on the lines of each page. Use a pencil to start — once you have everything written trace back over the words in pen.

Step  2.

Write out your story’s beginning, middle, and end on the lines of each page. Use a pencil to start — once you have everything written trace back over the words in pen.

Step  3.

Create a collage to illustrate your story! Tape or glue pictures from home, cut outs from magazines, and craft materials like foam stickers, construction paper, and glitter onto each page. If you decide to use glue, make sure it’s completely dry moving to the next step.  

Step  3.

Create a collage to illustrate your story! Tape or glue pictures from home, cut outs from magazines, and craft materials like foam stickers, construction paper, and glitter onto each page. If you decide to use glue, make sure it’s completely dry moving to the next step.  

Step  4.

Fold you pages and stack them in order with the cover as the top page. Then, use a stapler — or a hole punch and friendship thread to bind your story together!      

Step  4.

Fold you pages and stack them in order with the cover as the top page. Then, use a stapler — or a hole punch and friendship thread to bind your story together!      

Teacher's Corner

While crafting your own story, explore the amazing works of two influential African-American authors: Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison!

Lesson Objectives

  • Way with Words: Dr. Angelou shared her stories growing up as a black girl overcoming racism — her memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, made her the first African-American bestselling author! Her gift with words allowed her to share her story, hardships, and optimism with readers everywhere. Ask your students: How do words inspire you? What words will you write in your own stories?
  • Play with Words: As the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, Toni Morrison paved the way for many novelists and playwrights. Her works often reflect on the history of racism and African-American life — drawing from her own experiences. How will culture and heritage impact your students’ stories? What about their lives?      

Follow-up Discussion

The art of words is as relevant as ever! Hearing stories about overcoming hardship and holding onto hope inspired us. Like Dr. Angelou, Amanda Gorman inspired many with her poem, ‘The Hill We Climb,’ at the Presidential Inauguration. As a class, listen to her spoken words and discuss how your students feel afterward.