The sharkness of books
Douglas Adams (of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fame) once told his friend and fellow author Neil Gaiman that Books are sharks … There were sharks before there were dinosaurs, and the reason sharks are still in the ocean is that nothing is better at being a shark than a shark.”
In other words, nothing is better at being a book than a book. You can read more about the talk this comes from in this ARTICLE.
Douglas Adams was talking before ebooks were widely available, but as a great fan of tech (he owned one of the first Apple Mackintosh computers in the country) it's interesting to speculate what his view of ebooks would have become. In lockdown many people have come to appreciate the convenience and availability of ebooks. The print vs digital debate continues about which provides a ‘better’ reading experience, but in practice many people seem happy to incorporate both in their reading habits.
However, this World Book Day why not take a moment to consider the ‘sharkness’ of print books? What is it about them that makes them so good at delivering a story or information that stays in your memory? On the other hand, what do ebooks do better?
One way to experience how very creative print books can be is to try out our miniature books project. You can play with design, words, and the very practical challenge of getting your pages the same size and in the right order. Here are a few examples of miniature books made by members of the College and below are details of how to take part in the project along with links to information on the British Library's collection of miniature books.
Epsom College Library Miniature Books Project
Here’s an opportunity to be creative and give the world the lockdown book you think it needs.
The library is inviting members of the College community to make a miniature book and submit photos for an online gallery, to be followed by an exhibition of the actual books once we are back in school.
There are instructions on how to make a miniature book in the YouTube video from the British Library HERE. The subject and content can be whatever you choose: a story you’ve written, a collection of pictures you’ve drawn, your own ABC or poetry book - or maybe the ultimate Favourite Recipes of Lockdown.
You don’t have to follow the video instructions precisely, but your page size should be approx 75 x 52mm and your book a minimum of 8 pages plus cover. (Tip - if you don't have the right size elastic band for binding use a piece of thread and knot it tightly.) Make sure you have a title page with the title and your name as author, and if you use quotes or pictures by someone else, make sure you say where they come from.
Email a photo of the cover and your two favourite inside spreads to librarydesk@epsomcollege.org.uk by 22 March for our online gallery. Then keep hold of your book as we'll be inviting you to send it in for an exhibition later in the year (but will ensure it is returned to you). The invitation is open to all ages, pupils, staff and families, and multi-author works are welcome (ie you could submit a book made with someone else or a team effort).
To find out about the history of miniature books in the British Library’s collection (and get some tips on mini book making from children's authors and illustrators) see HERE - but remember our's is an invitation for books for all ages - your miniature book doesn't have to be made for toys or children!