number of staples removed while making this Prototype: 9
Here is what I learned when I made the BlogLily Summer Reading Program Booklet Prototype.
1. I will have to call the finished reading program book a prototype because otherwise the people who’ve signed up for the Summer Reading Program will think they’re getting the above-captioned, messy-looking item.
2. The Prototype has a lot of staple holes in it but no actual staples. That is because I cannot figure out which direction things should go in until I staple them and realize that, in fact, I have stapled the entire booklet closed and no one will be able to use it. Then I have to remove the staples and start again. Note: The Actual Booklets will be made using rubber cement.
3. There is something out there that allows you to fold cardstock without making the folded arts & crafts item look like someone stepped on it. I think it is called a bone folder, which is a weird name, when you think about it.
4. I could have made ten different categories, but I have always been so relieved to realize that something I thought had ten parts actually had eight, so I went with it to increase the Summer Reading joy. Also, I miscounted.
5. I like those accordion-style books and have never actually had one, so I made one for the Program Booklet. But because I wasn’t quite sure how to make it fold out properly or where to begin the numbering there was a lot of stapling and unstapling going on (see above-captioned photograph).
6. It is better to use a fine point sharpie on flimsy paper than a thick one. This is not a package you are sending back to Amazon.
7. There are an infinite number of reading categories — I picked eight of them out of a hat. Well, not actually a hat, more out of thin air.
8. Everyone who signed up for the Summer Reading Swag Program will have to send me a mailing address. Dorothy, The Bookseller’s Daughter, has reminded me that it would be helpful to know where you should send your mailing address: to bloglily@yahoo.com
9. What is a reading program without a couple of rules, so you will feel that you have accomplished something? I will have to pick some rules out of thin air. This has been known to fall flat, but I’m doing it anyway.
The Rules:
You will need to read eight books. In eight categories. You will earn 10 points just for performing the basic activity of writing down the name of the book in your Program Booklet. There are bonus points for doing more in each category, and although they are basically the same from category to category, I’m going to write them down, so there is no confusion.
1. A summer read from ten years ago. Bonus Points if you re-read (or read it, if you never did get to it): 10. Bonus Points if you blog about it or otherwise write about it: 10. (I love bonus points. One of our family mottos is “always do the extra credit.) Bonus points if you identify in your booklet or on your blog at least one other book that is like this one. Bonus points if you check it out from the library: 10
2. A book your librarian recommends. What is a summer reading program that does not involve a trip to the library? Go ask your librarian to recommend a book. Read it (10 bonus points), blog or write about it the conventional way (10 bonus points), check it out from the library (10 bonus points), name a book that’s like it (10 bonus points).
3. Genre Fiction. Pick a book in your favorite genre. Read it (10 bonus points), blog or write about it on paper (10 bonus points), check it out from the library (10 bonus points), name a book that’s like it (10 bonus points), answer the question: is there any beautifully written genre fiction?
4. Literary Fiction. Figure out what that is and then pick one. Read it (10 bonus points), blog or write about it on paper (10 bonus points), check it out from the library (10 bonus points), name a book that’s like it (10 bonus points).
5. Genre Fiction. It is summer. Repeat Number 3, above. Read it (10 bonus points), blog or write about it on paper (10 bonus points), check it out from the library (10 bonus points), name a book that’s like it (10 bonus points).
6. Women’s Fiction. Is there such a thing? I am interested in this question. You might not be. If you aren’t, just pick any book you want to pick. But make sure it’s written by a woman, unless you want to pick one that’s written by a man, which is fine by me. Read it (10 bonus points), blog or write about it on paper (10 bonus points), check it out from the library (10 bonus points), name a book that’s like it (10 bonus points).
7. Men’s Fiction. Why are there no books identified as “men’s fiction”? Or are there? Pick one. Should it be written by a man or a woman? It’s up to you. Read it (10 bonus points), blog or write about it on paper (10 bonus points), check it out from the library (10 bonus points), name a book that’s like it (10 bonus points).
8. Whatever You Want. Read it (10 bonus points), blog or write about it on paper (10 bonus points), check it out from the library (10 bonus points), name a book that’s like it (10 bonus points). If you don’t like any of the 1-7 categories above, then just do 8.
Prizes? Of course.
Bookmarks? One will be included in your packet, which will contain a Spiffed up Version of the Prototype, and a writing instrument.
Counting Points: You will have to do that. I know you would never cheat. Because you do not know the prizes. There could be cars, there could be boomerangs, there could be books, there could be candy. Who knows? (I don’t know, is the real answer.)
xoxo L
