Product Review

Ingeniously crafted artists' books are not merely a set format of pages held together by a binding; they are individual expressions, unique creative statements that may take many visual forms. The unique creations in The Art and Craft of Handmade Books, by Shereen LaPlantz, generally begin with some traditional bookmaking approaches (sewn bindings, accordion-fold variations, Coptic stitch methods) but take these formal techniques to new heights with personalized themes and unusual touches, like exploding pages or the vignettes of a tunnel book.

Step-by-step instructions, discussions of design considerations, and suggestions for what the books might contain all provide wonderful guidance for anyone looking to expand their aesthetic horizons through the medium of handmade books. In addition, many gallery pages highlight other artists' extraordinary book creations. --Amy Handy