Creating handmade books is another activity in which art and writing intersect. Since both are an important means of communication, books are an important way to combine art and writing and to display children's work. 

Here are a few ideas to explore:

ALBUM BOOKS

Magnetic photo albums are another fast way to make a durable classroom book. Children's art and writing can be slipped into the pages easily and removed for take home at the end of the year or unit. The mini photo albums found in dollar stores are excellent for children's personal books.

A BOOK OF DREAMS

What do you dream about? This can be an ongoing book of dreams that's stored in the writing area. Whenever a child remembers a dream, he can come to the center and add drawings and writing to tell the story of the dream. For inspiration, read Ezra Jack Keats's wonderful book Dreams. Here's another activity plan that helps children explore book illustration. 

MY BOOK OF FEELINGS

You can use paper plates as the cover and pages for this book. Children draw different facial expressions on each page using the shape of the plate for the shape of the head. Punch two holes about two inches apart on the left side of each page, front and back covers. String together with chubby yarn to bind. Use a disposable or digital camera to take a photo of each child to glue on the cover. 

MAKE A WISH SCROLL

Children write and draw a wish on a thin strip of paper, roll it up, and tie it on a "wish tree" outside, sending their special wishes up to the sky.