Do you remember the thrill of creating your very first book? Maybe it was a stapled collection of crayon drawings or a carefully typed short story bound with yarn. There’s something magical about holding a book you made with your own hands. On May 8, 2025, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to recapture that feeling as we celebrate Make a Book Day across the USA. This special day is for everyone, young and old. It asks them to use their creativity and try being authors , illustrators, or even bookbinders, just for that one day.
What is Make a Book Day?
Make a Book Day, celebrated annually on May 8, is a day dedicated to encouraging people of all ages to create their own books. Make a Book Day is not as well known as World Book Day (which is on April 23). But Make a Book Day focuses only on the creative steps of making books, not just on reading them.
This day started with local groups who wanted people to do more with books than just read them. By encouraging people to make their own books, Make a Book Day helps turn people from just readers into creators. This helps them feel a deeper connection to reading and writing.
The National Literacy Trust says that doing things like making books greatly improves people’s ability to read and write. It also helps both children and adults feel more confident.” Make a Book Day serves as a perfect complement to World Book Day, which primarily celebrates reading and established authors.
World Book Day is on April 23, and it celebrates reading books that are already written. It’s also linked to the birthday of the famous writer Shakespeare. But Make a Book Day, on May 8, is about encouraging people to create their own new books and stories. Both celebrations work hand-in-hand to promote literacy from different angles.
DIY Book Making Ideas
Simple Bookbinding Techniques for Beginners
You don’t need expensive equipment or years of training to create a beautiful book. Here are some approachable methods anyone can try:
- Stapled Binding: The simplest approach—fold papers in half and secure with staples along the fold.
- Saddle Stitch: Similar to stapling but using needle and thread to create a more durable and professional-looking spine.
- Accordion Books: Create a continuous zigzag fold that can be read by turning pages or stretched out as one long display.
- Japanese Stab Binding: A beautiful technique using decorative stitching patterns along the edge of stacked pages.
- Perfect Binding: Use special glue along the spine to attach pages to a cover (similar to paperback books).
Digital Book Creation Options
Not all books need to be physical. Digital options offer flexibility and ease of sharing:
- Use book creation apps and websites to design professional-looking e-books
- Create interactive stories with animation and sound
- Develop PDF books that can be printed on demand
- Design photo books through online services that print and bind them for you
Types of Books to Make
The possibilities are endless, but here are some popular options:
- Memory Books: Document special events or periods in your life
- Recipe Collections: Preserve family culinary traditions
- Children’s Stories: Bring your imagination to life with illustrations
- Poetry Chapbooks: Compile your verses in a beautiful format
- Nature Journals: Document observations of the natural world
- Gratitude Journals: Create specialized notebooks for daily reflection
- Comic Books: Tell stories through sequential art
- Alphabet Books: Perfect for young children learning their letters
Materials and Supplies Needed
Basic supplies for book making include:
- Paper (text weight for pages, card stock for covers)
- Scissors or paper cutter
- Ruler
- Bone folder (or substitute with a butter knife)
- Needle and thread
- Glue or paste
- Decorative elements (washi tape, stickers, stamps)
- Markers, colored pencils, or paints
Celebrating Make a Book Day in Communities
Make a Book Day thrives when communities come together to share resources, skills, and inspiration.
School Activities
Schools across America celebrate with special programs:
- Book-making workshops led by art teachers or visiting artists
- Author visits to discuss the writing and publishing process
- Student book fairs where kids can display and “sell” their creations
- Cross-grade partnering where older students help younger ones create books
Library Events
Public libraries often host:
- Free bookbinding workshops
- Storytelling sessions followed by book creation
- Digital book making using library computers
- Material exchange tables where community members can share supplies
Bookstore Celebrations
Independent bookstores embrace the day with:
- Meet-and-greets with local self-published authors
- Demonstrations of various binding techniques
- Special displays featuring books about book making
- Book making kits for purchase
Online Communities and Virtual Events
The digital world offers ways to participate from anywhere:
- Virtual workshops through library websites or educational platforms
- Social media challenges with specific book-making themes
- Online galleries where creators can share their finished books
- Digital story circles where people collaborate on books remotely
According to Google’s blog on World Book Day, programs that teach people how to use digital tools for reading and writing are using book creation tools more and more. This is to get readers of all ages involved. These online tools make it easy for people to start, especially for those who might find the older ways of putting books together by hand a bit scary.
Ending Note
Make a Book Day offers a beautiful opportunity to step away from consuming content and instead become a creator. In today’s world, we get information all the time, almost too much. Taking time to make something meaningful with your hands is a refreshing change from this busy pace. It also gives you a good feeling of having finished something.
Whether you are a parent looking for a fun activity with your children, a teacher who wants to inspire students or an adult who wants to be creative, making books is something good for you. The books you make could become special things that your family will keep for a long time. They might even help you in your work or just be fun ways to show what you imagine.
This May 8, 2025, I encourage you to gather your materials, set aside some time, and experience the satisfaction of making a book. Share your creations with friends, family, or your online community using #MakeABookDay. Who knows? Your handmade book might be the start of a lifelong creative journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are there 2 dates for World Book Day?
A: World Book Day is often April 23rd internationally but the first Thursday in March in the UK/Ireland for the school calendar. Make a Book Day (May 8th) is a separate celebration focused on creating books.
Q: What is the theme for World Book Day 2025?
A: As of October 2024, the official theme had not yet been announced. Themes are usually revealed closer to the event.
Q: Is World Book Day always on a Thursday?
A: Not always. Internationally, it’s celebrated on April 23rd, which changes yearly. However, in the UK and Ireland, it’s consistently observed on the first Thursday in March for school participation.
Q: Can I use the World Book Day logo?
A: No, the logo is trademarked. You need permission from the World Book Day organization before using it publicly.
Q: Who pays for World Book Day?
A: Funding comes from publishers, corporate sponsors, arts grants (in some countries), and donations.
Q: Can World Book Day feature any book?
A: Yes, any book can be featured as long as it fits the audience and setting. Sometimes specific themes are suggested, but they’re not mandatory.
Q: What is the point of World Book Day?
A: The goal is to encourage reading for pleasure, especially among children, and to celebrate books, authors, and stories.