How to make tiny, doll-sized books

This week, I wanted to show you this fun, super fast way to fold paper into doll-sized books -- no sewing required here!

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway! The winner is #17, Pam, who said "My favorite book growing up was Black Beauty." Good choice, Pam! We'll be in touch with you via email soon. :)

All you need is some plain white paper, some fun scrapbooking paper, and colored tape. Electric tape seems to hold really well. 

I started by cutting my standard, American-sized 8.5" x 11" paper in halves and quarters. Either will make a nice size doll book! 

You'll make three folds with your paper. First, fold it in half down the middle; then, fold again the same direction so you get a long, skinny strip.

Then, open out the second fold, and fold your paper the other way. 

Now, open out this fold, and cut carefully from the folded edge to the center of the paper. (The loose ends are at the top of the picture; the folded side is at the bottom.)

Open the whole booklet up, and refold it along the third fold.

Gently push one end into the other -- you should have three pages form on one side, and a fourth page left on the other side.

Fold the remaining page to one side of the booklet. 

Then, cut pieces of fun colored paper and glue them on to make 'covers'. If you want your finished book to be made of more than one booklet, make sure you glue your 'front' and 'back covers to separate booklets. 

Line up your booklets, and run a strip of colored tape down the spine. Fold it over both edges, and press it down firmly to make sure it sticks!

Give your book a title, and you're all done -- congratulations!

These are really fun to make up in a variety of sizes.

Thanks to everyone who entered! Our giveaway is now closed, and the books will be on their way to the winner soon!

NOW: WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN THESE LITTLE BOOKS, INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM? SUPER! 

TO ENTER, JUST LEAVE A COMMENT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION: "MY FAVORITE BOOK GROWING UP WAS..."

(Yes, I know this is a very hard question. So you can just pick one of your favorites. Personally, I still love "The Saturdays" by Elizabeth Enright.)

WE'LL RUN THE GIVEAWAY THROUGH MONDAY, MAY 19TH, PICK A WINNER RANDOMLY, AND CONTACT THEM VIA EMAIL.

 

Thanks for following along, and happy reading!

For Pixie Faire,
Melinda


83 Comments

denise 6 stpierre
denise 6 stpierre

October 04, 2020

Mon livre préféré lorsque j’étais petite, était ¨ Les milles et une nuits¨ car je crois que lorsque nous sommes petits on aime les histoires féériques. Merci! Pour toutes ces belles choses que vous faites, vous êtes inspirantes.

Brenda
Brenda

August 28, 2020

Actually I hated to read LOL. I’ll go with the first book I ever read from cover to cover “Gone With The Wind”. Funny growing up I hated to read and now start a book and can’t seem to put it down. Wish the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich would have been around when I was a teen might have been different … books that really make you laugh out loud.

Lolo
Lolo

August 27, 2020

What a delight to be reminded of so many great childhood books (as I read through others’ comments) – I loved so many of those mentioned. However, I didn’t see the book that “hooked me” as a life-long reader: “The Boxcar Children.” It celebrated resourcefulness, creativity, and family. It even depicted recycling (before that was an acknowledged concept).

My grand-daughter (the only girl among our nine grandchilden!) would love the little books – she’s a home-school-er in a family of avid readers. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us all.

Cindy
Cindy

August 26, 2020

It’s hard to say which was my favorite as I have always loved to read (still do). But my top favorites were Nancy Drew mysteries and Anne of Green Gables.

Glenda
Glenda

August 26, 2020

My favorite books were Amelia Bedelia!

JoLee
JoLee

August 25, 2020

I have always loved The Little Engine That Could. I bought for my children when they were younger; and now I have bought one for each of my five grandchildren AND now for my to great-grandchildren. I will always love this book and the message of don’t give up

Patricia A. Stegall
Patricia A. Stegall

August 25, 2020

As a child I read everything! I still do. I read Hamlet ans Winnie the Poo in the same week. I loved to read Greek and Roman mythology. When I went to college, I aced an English class on the subject just from memory.

Cyndi
Cyndi

August 25, 2020

My favorite books when I was little was the Little House 🏠O n The Prarie series. I want to make these little books for my granddaughter who is an avid reader. Thank you for the tutorial.

Sharon
Sharon

August 25, 2020

My favourite books were Nancy Drew mysteries

Tanya
Tanya

August 25, 2020

My favorite book growing up was the “Little House on the Prairie” series!!! I still sit down and read it even now.

Mary
Mary

August 25, 2020

National Velvet was my favorite book growing up.

Linda Badurek
Linda Badurek

August 25, 2020

My favorite book growing up was Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Thank you!

Sherry
Sherry

August 25, 2020

My favorite book was The Secret Garden.

Judy
Judy

August 25, 2020

Peter Rabbit was my favorite book

Marie
Marie

May 22, 2020

I know this is done but my favorite book was “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” And Nancy Drew. I love the Book making but there was a part I didn’t get but when I do the book I will most likely figure it out!! Thank You!!

Jackie
Jackie

May 22, 2020

My favorite books were My Side of the Mountain and David and the Phoenix (and the entire Black Stallion & Island Stallion series by Walter Farley). My daughter did not like to read because she found books boring. I read her My Side of the Mountain, and she was hooked, but still wouldn’t read on her own. I started to read David and the Phoenix to her and made her read the rest on her own, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Kathy
Kathy

August 09, 2018

My favorite books growing up was anything I could get my hands on. I love all of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. I still read anything, but am more into historical romances now.

Kathy
Kathy

August 09, 2018

My favorite books growing up was anything I could get my hands on. I love all of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. I still read anything, but am more into historical romances now.

Roz
Roz

June 06, 2017

Awww…so cute!

My favourite book as a child would have to be Anne of Green Gables. What a sweet story. I loved Anne’s character and the relationship she had with Matthew. In some ways it reminded my of my relationship with my Dad…secretly doing great things without Mum knowing.

Thank you again for always being so generous and having such amazing giveaways!

Vivienne
Vivienne

April 20, 2017

Even though I’m still very young, as in little girl young, I had a different favorite book then know. My favorite growing up book were the books about Biscuit the dog. Look it up if you don’t know.

Elaine
Elaine

February 24, 2017

My favorite book growing up was " My Friend Flicka". I use to belong to Camp Fire Girls in the 1960’s and every Thursday we went to Bethpage on Long Island and had English Riding lessons. I was about 9 when I started. I had to stop doing it when it was time to Jump because my mother was worried that I might get injured falling off. I still have my black velvet riding helmet and brown and tan leather gloves and leather crop. I was so proud of that sport. It broke my little heart to end it.

laura montalbano
laura montalbano

February 06, 2017

I was a very poor reader as a child but my mom got me a Mary Poppins Walt Disney album and i would sing all the song on it. and remember the movie~

Barbara
Barbara

June 06, 2016

I loved the Nancy Drew series

Kate
Kate

May 14, 2016

My favorite books growing up were Redwall, Anne of Green Gables series, Boxcar Children, Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew, The Scarlet Pimpernel (best book ever) Tuck Everlasting and all-time favorite Mandy (by Julie Andrews Edwards)… I read one copy of Mandy so often that the binding split in two.
Thank you for this tutorial!

Nora
Nora

March 12, 2015

My favorite books growing up were Nancy Drew

Ryan
Ryan

February 25, 2015

I don’t want a book but u love the wipers checks series

Diana
Diana

June 06, 2014

The Nancy Drew series. I am 59 years young and still own all of this series of books.

I still read them again and again. Some of them are originals and getting a bit worn.
My grandson has read and used them for book reports in school.

Maura
Maura

May 27, 2014

My favorite book was Peter Pan because it’s really interesting how Peter could fly!

Melissa
Melissa

May 20, 2014

My favorite book was Where the Sidewalk Ends

LaDonna Wilcox
LaDonna Wilcox

May 20, 2014

my favorite book was Heidi

Louise Marie
Louise Marie

May 19, 2014

Andrea’s story was so beautiful and so sad at the same time. Love you, Andrea. My favorite was Heidi like a lot of others in the comments. i also liked Black Beauty.

Carol Weaver
Carol Weaver

May 18, 2014

My favorite book growing up was My side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. I tried to memorize the information so that, if I was lost in the woods, I could survive! I’ve read it to my kids and will someday share it with my grandchildren so that they all love it too!

Shari
Shari

May 18, 2014

These are fantastic directions! Thank you for making them available to us. My favorite books as a small child were Heidi and Susan’s Surprise Doll and the Nancy Drew books as I got a little older.

Gloria
Gloria

May 18, 2014

My favorite book was Treasure Island.

Carole
Carole

May 17, 2014

I went to a one room school with a very small library and teachers who read to us every day after lunch. I loved the Betsy-Tacy books, Caddie Woodlawn, The Little House books and Dandelion Cottage. Then my aunt started giving me the Anne of Green Gables books for my birthday and those became my favorite. I taught second grade for 12 years and then became the librarian and made so many new favorites. I’ve met very few children’s books I haven’t liked.

Rebecca
Rebecca

May 17, 2014

My favorite book was always “The Island of the Blue Dolphins”

normajf1@juno.com
normajf1@juno.com

May 17, 2014

My favorite book was Little Brown Koko. I loved that little boy so much.

Josephine
Josephine

May 17, 2014

Athena The Wise in the series of goddesses girls.

Dellory Matthews
Dellory Matthews

May 17, 2014

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. And so many others! I still have the huge volume of Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales that my Uncle Buddy gave me in the 1950s.

Dorothy Van Pelt
Dorothy Van Pelt

May 16, 2014

My favorite books were the Betsy series I would read all of them several times. I loved it when the bookmobile would come.

Pam
Pam

May 16, 2014

I enjoyed the Nancy Drew Series.

Diane
Diane

May 16, 2014

I loved The Flame and the Flower. It was the first romance novel I read.

Jeanne
Jeanne

May 16, 2014

I loved “Little Women.”
Thanks for sharing this fun tutorial!

Bobbie
Bobbie

May 16, 2014

My favorite was one of the Nancy Drew Series.

Kit
Kit

May 16, 2014

I love this but you can also print small doll size book and magazine covers by copying the cover you want for example the American girl books printing it out and glue it to the cover with glue stick

Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit

May 16, 2014

The Bobsy Twins.Please consider putting all of these how to’s in pdf form so I can save them and load them to my I books for future use.

Pam vanOteghem
Pam vanOteghem

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up was Black Beauty.

Marianne
Marianne

May 16, 2014

I really loved the Madeline books by Ludwig Bemelmans. I think is was because of all the rhyming!

Lucy
Lucy

May 16, 2014

I really didn’t like reading as a child but I loved when my dad would read to my brother and I. He would read all the classics from a set of Children’s readers from Colliers. When I was in jr high I had to do an oral book report. I chose Hawaii by James Mitchner. Well I was hooked on reading ever since. They couldn’t shut me up. I got an A+. Now I read everything and anything.

Loretta
Loretta

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up was “Loretta Mason Potts” by Mary Chase.

Sylvia
Sylvia

May 16, 2014

Being a Canadian now but born in England, I would have to say Enid Blyton was my favourite author, but “What Katy Did” by American author Susan Coolidge ablsoutely fascinated me. I never did read the rest of the series…maybe I should get them all and share with my granddaughter. Who at 6, is an an avid reader already. I gave her a Golden “Little Little Book” for her doll, but she would just love these!

June
June

May 16, 2014

My favorite book while growing up was Heidi and later Heidi Grow Up…my Mother would read it to me at night time….great memories.

Lucy
Lucy

May 16, 2014

Can I have more that one favorite book? My favorite book growing up was the Tom Swift series.

jan
jan

May 16, 2014

my favorite book was TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Kaitlyn L
Kaitlyn L

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up was Where the Red Fern Grows. It was a touching story that really changed me.

Shari
Shari

May 16, 2014

Boxcar Kids,Nancy Drew,

Grandma Sue
Grandma Sue

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up was the Secret Garden. I first read it in junior high, and returned to it many times for a fun fantasy trip to a secret garden of my own.

Jen
Jen

May 16, 2014

My favorite book was Anne of Green Gables. I could have read that book 100 times. Actually I think I did.

Cindi
Cindi

May 16, 2014

My favorite was “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean George. I always thought it would neat to live off in the woods all by my self.

Nannette
Nannette

May 16, 2014

Nancy Drew

Rebecca George
Rebecca George

May 16, 2014

My favorite was Heidie. It was a Christmas present in third grade from my sister’s mother-in-law! The nest year Little Women and then Little Men. Great books I read many many times!

Mary H.
Mary H.

May 16, 2014

My favorite book when I was growing up was Little Women. I read an abridged version when I was in 6th grade and discovered the full length version about a year later. Thanks for this tutorial.

Ms Judith Elizabeth Culbreth
Ms Judith Elizabeth Culbreth

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up was Bobsi Twins.

Georgiane
Georgiane

May 16, 2014

The Laura Ingalls Wilder books. My first grade teacher read one chapter everyday of “Little House on the Prairie.” When she finished I was off to the library and read every book in the series. This was before we had TV in our home.Yes. I’m that old!!

Fay Engel
Fay Engel

May 16, 2014

My favorite book was all the books in the Nancy Drew Series

Linda
Linda

May 16, 2014

My favorite book series when I was growing up was Cherry Ames. They were stories about a nurse.

nancy
nancy

May 16, 2014

My favorite book when growing up was….“Alice in Wonderland”.
The characters and interesting places really set my imagination into full time!

Marketta Meyer
Marketta Meyer

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up was “The red pony”

Sue
Sue

May 16, 2014

when I grew up Dick and Jane were an important part of learning to read but my
favorite book was The Borrowers by Mary Norton. I loved the thought of tiny people living
inside the walls.

Karen
Karen

May 16, 2014

I found the book Roots by Alex Haley amazing as well as the movie.

Jennifer
Jennifer

May 16, 2014

The Secret Garden!

Margaret Carlson
Margaret Carlson

May 16, 2014

I loved the Nancy Drew series, could not wait to go to the library for the next one. I was sad when I had finished them all.

Candice
Candice

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up was The Fellowship of the Ring, which I read in 5th grade. But I was a voracious reader, so I loved ALL the classics—too many to mention!

Barb Sisson
Barb Sisson

May 16, 2014

My favorite book of all time was Helen Kellar. She inspired me growing up.

Winter Boomershine
Winter Boomershine

May 16, 2014

I read voraciously as a child, I still do! My favorite childhood books were the “Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I really wanted a little log home of my own.

Guinivere
Guinivere

May 16, 2014

My favorite book growing up (and still is for the most part) is the Anne of Green Gables series! I really loved Anne, and I could relate to her :)

Natalie
Natalie

May 15, 2014

I loved the Nancy Drew series a lot, but if I’m honest the book I remember the best is One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss. I still have it memorized 50 years later.

Andrea
Andrea

May 15, 2014

My favorite book growing up was, The Mouse Book by Helen Piers.
It is a story of a mouse looking for a house he could fit and live in. i loved this book but Raggedy Ann and Andy was a very close 2nd.

I was a very lonely child and one day a mouse wandered into my room and i would feed it at night. lol. i think i was like 3. and i would climb to get the crackers from the very top shelf and sit and share my crackers. ond day i asked my mom if i could have a pet. she said “NO” and i was like.. “oh damn”. she looked at my face, and asked me why i would ask such a question. i told her because i have a pet mousey that has been keeping me company. she thought it was an imaginary friend. i explained… , " nooooo mommy mousey is real, wanna see him?" she said, “sure Andrea, sure”. so i called my little friend out and my mother bout had a heart attack. she grabbed me and screamed like an axe murderer was chasing her. hahahahaha. i said, “dont worry mommy, this is mousey, he only comes out at night and he likes crackers, watch” then i showed her how i would climb to the top shelf to get the crackers and give him some. but my mother screamed so loud, she gave him a heart attack instead. he just sat there and would not move. she put can over him and said she was taking him outside and that he was sleeping.. i was hysterical. i begged her not too because he would be lonely and have no one to talk to. she said i could visit him in our hallway where the main building garbage shoot was. well yeah, he was dead for sure the next day. about 2 days later my mom bought me this book and read it to me every night. when i learned to read at age 4 or 5, i remember telling her…, “see mommy, the mouse is looking for a house, he looks like mousey”. and i started crying because i missed him. i told her that he was my only friend i could talk and play with and i missed him. he never bit me and to me he was cool.

Alyssa
Alyssa

May 15, 2014

So cute i made some but i have to buy scrapbooking paper

Alyssa
Alyssa

May 15, 2014

So cute i made some but i have to buy scrapbooking paper

Marcia
Marcia

May 15, 2014

My favorite book growing up was Little Women. Still love it!!!

Dawn
Dawn

May 15, 2014

My favorite book growing up was The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle

Jessica
Jessica

May 14, 2014

My favorite book growing up was The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll. I still have it and have forever loved its wonderful stories and illustrations not to mention the beautiful red leather binding trimmed with gold.

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