Turn an old cardboard mailer box into a 3D diorama depicting a scene from a recent book you have read. This craft makes a fantastic activity for book week or for 'show and tell' to share your favourite children's story with friends.
MATERIALS:
- A cardboard mailer style box
- Card and paper
- Paints, coloured markers and pencils
- Glue
- Scissors
- Book review template
HOW TO:
Begin by trimming the tabs off the top of your mailer box so the lid opens and closes like a book. Once your have decided which book you are going to create your box about, paint the outside and inside of the box matching the colours on the book cover. We chose Berani by Michelle Kadrusman which is an environmental story set in Java, Indonesia about how two young activists campaign against palm oil and free a captive orangutan, Ginger Juice.
To create the cover of your 'book box', draw elements form your chosen book cover onto paper, colour in, cut out and collage onto the outside of your box. It doesn't have to be a perfect replica of how the book looks, just add the elements that you like and the book title.
Next, it's time to work on the inside of your box. Choose a scene from the story and replicate it by drawing elements of the story onto card, cutting them out and gluing them inside the box. We used cardboard tabs and little wooden blocks to make our character and scenery sit at different levels in the box. Get creative and use your imagination, it's up to you how you represent your story!
Finally, print out our book review template, fill it out and glue parts of the book review onto the inside cover or back of your box. You might not be able to fit all of the review template depending on the size of your box.
Happy crafting friends!