A title, a cover, and pages with "substance" bound together--this is what the author's eighth-grade students decided were the essential elements of a book. There could be more, but no less. In art, one does judge a book by its cover. In this article, the author describes how her students created their books. (Contains 1 online resource.)

Article describes how fifth- and sixth-graders first wrote Japanese Haiku poetry, then made books with batik covers. Materials needed and technique to follow are outlined, with photographs showing some details. (PD)