Mark my words

Take it further

Create a character for your monster bookmark – what are they like? What’s their favourite food? What do they do during the day? Do they have any superpowers? You could create a comic strip featuring your monster bookmark.

This activity fits nicely with ones about taking care of books. People learned that folding over the corners to keep your place isn’t a good way to look after a book – now they have an alternative.

You’ll need

A4 card
Coloured pens or pencils
Glue sticks
Scissors
Hole punch
Googly eyes
Pipe cleaners

Before you begin

Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found on our safety pages.
Cut a strip of card for each person. The strips should be about 15cm tall and 6cm wide.
Cut two slits down the middle of each strip of card. The slits should each be about 8cm long and 2cm apart.

Make a bookmark

The person leading the activity should give everyone a piece of card with slits cut in it. Everyone should think about the monster bookmark they’d like to create.
Everyone should cut across the bottom of the two slits to make a monster nose. It’s up to them what shape the end of the monster’s nose is – it could be rounded, pointy, or even spiky!
Everyone should stick googly eyes above the nose on their bookmark. They’re making a monster, so people can add as many eyes as they like (or just stick to one).
Everyone should punch one or two holes in the top of their bookmark to attach antennae.
Everyone should thread pipe cleaners through the holes they punched, and twist them until they’re secure. It’s up to them what shape they make their antennae – they could bend them so they wiggle, zig-zag, or stand up straight.
Everyone should finish their monster bookmark by adding some extra decoration. They could draw on a pattern, add stickers, or write on a name.
Once it’s dry, everyone should test their bookmark by slotting its nose onto a page. It’s googly eyes and antennae should peep out over the top, while its nose marks the page.

Reflection

This activity was a chance to get creative, but it also reminded everyone how to look after books. Why is it good to use a bookmark? It helps people remember where they’ve got to without damaging the book. What other materials could bookmarks be made from? People often use leather, ribbon, wood, or plastic. It often takes a little bit more time and effort to take care of things properly, but it’s worth it in the long run. Making a bookmark means people are prepared – they’ll be able to quickly find their way back to the page they were on, and their books will last longer.

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Scissors: Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.
Glue and solvents: Always supervise young people appropriately when they’re using glue and solvent products. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Be aware of any medical conditions that could be affected by glue or solvent use and make adjustments as needed.