How This Book Was Made

Sometimes it’s just fun to pull out a book and explore how something is created. In this case, students will go on a fascinating and humorous journey with the author to learn how a book is really made. It doesn’t seem this really fits any Pathways theme but is definitely important in understanding how writing and publishing is done. A notation on the flyleaf does assert that perhaps the author and illustrator of this book are heroes—since they ‘had to brave dangerous animals, an angry mob, unreasonable editorial demands, high-seas adventure traffic and a tense game of chance where everything was on the line.” While presented in a lighthearted manner (with the insertion of a tiger, astronauts, and pirates), the book is based on a true story that begins with an idea and ends with a book. Students will explore what happens between the idea and the publication—the writing process. And the surprise ending—well, you and your students will have to read the book all the way to the end to know what really makes a book. Teaching ideas: Living like a writer minilessons, writing process, negotiation, imagination.

About the Author

This author was made in CA. His parents had to work to save his life as a newborn (dad was a doctor and mom was a nurse). He wasn’t an author then but he is now. He is the author of many books (have students look at his website and decide which books they want from the library). Mac is the one who writes the books but he has collaborated with many illustrators. I can imagine there is a lot of joking and fun when they work together. His books are so popular they have been translated into 30 languages and have won numerous awards. There are several interviews on his website that might be interesting for teachers to read and share tidbits. I thought the one for Sam and Dave Diga Hole was fun.

The illustrator is one of many who have worked with this author. At a young age Adam Rex was praised for his drawing ability so he practiced for 10,000 hours before he went to graduate school. Then he practiced another 10,000 hours. Kids need to know how hard the illustrators work and how much they practice.

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