Basic Book Design is a textbook suitable for high school students (and adults) all about basic book design. The book is provided by Wikibooks, in the creative commons under a GNU open document license.
As a project for English, art or computer studies, creating a book should be a compulsory activity in schools. This book will help students learn more about the ins and outs of book creation.
For computer studies, students may wish to pick an existing public domain book and reformat the text. Picture books are the best for this since they bring different elements of formatting into play, and different formatting programs may be experimented with.
For English or art class, creating your own text is fun, along with formatting it.
Basic Book Design discusses important topics such as font choices, margin rules, common grammar and text formatting rules, most of which has been condensed and referenced from what is considered the industries’ master reference book, The Chicago Manual of Style.
More About What is in Basic book design for high school
Basic Book Design isn’t another book about grammar rules, freeing your inner writer, or finding a publisher. It’s about making your books, documents, and newsletters look professional.
The book includes features such as:
• Which fonts will make readers devour your book—and which fonts will make them put your book aside.
• Common mistakes that make your newsletter look amateur.
• Designers’ tricks to save printing costs and make documents look better.
• The free software that works better than Adobe Pagemaker, Quark X-Press, or Microsoft Publisher.
• Workarounds to avoid bugs in Microsoft Word.
• When you need permissions from both the photographer and the person depicted in the photo—and when you need neither.
• The government agency that will give you completely free photos by famous photographers such as Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange.
Note: some software items, mostly those on Microsoft Word, are out of date, written in 2003, there have been significant updates since then (my recommendation, use Open Office 🙂
While some of the contents might be rather advanced for high school, it makes a great reference book and learning exercise, and many concepts can even be taught to younger audiences in upper elementary or middle grades.
Suggested projects for Basic Book Design
- Format a public domain book;
- Create your own short picture book using your own words, and either illustrate yourself, or public domain images;
- Create a non-fiction book with images;
- Send your book to FKB 🙂 – note, we don’t guarantee acceptance, but if it’s not suitable I’ll let you know why;
- Publish your book online (Createspace, kindle, lulu).
Suggested Reading
Find many more books like this one, suitable for high school study or reference in our Wikibooks section.
10 Must-Have ESL Books for Teaching Children - When it comes to engaging children, standard textbooks alone are often not enough. Experienced teachers know that adding extra materials makes lessons more personal, lively and fun. That’s why experts from Grade University have put together a selection of books that help teachers design lessons blending language with play, stories, songs and real-life contexts. Family ...
How Do You Teach Math Words to ESL Kids - Math can be really intimidating, but for a kid who is also learning English, it can be a double task requiring decoding both words and numbers. Understanding mathematical ideas starts with vocabulary. That is, words like equals, sum, greater than, or variable have meanings that link interpretation very closely to logical problem-solving. Success in math ...
ADHD Care Strategies That Help Children Thrive In School Settings - Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often face unique challenges in school, ranging from difficulties with focus and organization to struggles with impulse control and peer relationships. These challenges can sometimes create barriers to academic success and self-confidence if not addressed properly. With the right care strategies in place, children with ADHD can manage their symptoms ...
Why Knowledge Is Your Defense Against Cyber Threats - Knowledge forms the backbone of any effective defense against cybercrime. Without a clear understanding of risks and the methods used by attackers, even the best tools can fall short. Security begins with people, not just systems or software. Equipping every user with the right knowledge turns them into the first line of protection. Understanding the ...
A Very Green Day - Greeny doesn't want to nap she wants to be a tree. A cute story full of imagination. 
What Are the Benefits of Drones in Precision Agriculture? - Agriculture has always relied on innovation to meet growing food demands. From traditional tools to modern machinery, technology has reshaped farming practices. One of the most impactful advancements today is the use of drones in precision agriculture, offering farmers efficiency and smarter decision-making. These flying tools are not just gadgets; they are valuable assets for ...
Making Money Work – Careers & the New Economy: The Gen Z Guide to Financial Intelligence - The second book in the Eyes-Wide-Open series, full of life hacks for Gen Z’ers by James Minter, helps establish good money habits with this easy-to-follow and insightful guide. Inside, you’ll learn how to: • Understand the psychology of money and rewrite limiting beliefs • Budget with purpose and align spending with your values • Save ...
Launch a Career in Early Childhood Through a Franchise Model - Working with young children can be both rewarding and meaningful, and many professionals are seeking structured ways to enter this growing field. While traditional pathways include education degrees or independent centers, the franchise model offers a unique route for those with entrepreneurial drive. It combines a passion for child development with the structure and support ...
4 Creative Play Ideas to Spark Imagination and Sensory Growth - Creative play is important for children. It promotes imagination, cognitive development, and sensory growth. Engaging in imaginative activities allows kids to express themselves, work through emotions, and develop problem-solving skills. Through playful exploration, children discover their surroundings, interact with peers, and learn effective communication. Nature-Inspired Art Projects Encouraging children to create art using natural materials ...
Convert a photo to Paint-by-Numbers: A Friendly Guide for Parents and Teachers - Imagine a quiet afternoon with your child immersed in a creative project that sharpens their focus without a screen in sight. Paint-by-number activities have long been a staple in homes and classrooms, providing a gentle introduction to artistic expression and skill building. For young learners, these structured yet imaginative tasks develop fine motor skills through ...Review our Young Adults section for books in a similar age range.
10 Must-Have ESL Books for Teaching Children - When it comes to engaging children, standard textbooks alone are often not enough. Experienced teachers know that adding extra materials makes lessons more personal, lively and fun. That’s why experts from Grade University have put together a selection of books that help teachers design lessons blending language with play, stories, songs and real-life contexts. Family ... How Do You Teach Math Words to ESL Kids - Math can be really intimidating, but for a kid who is also learning English, it can be a double task requiring decoding both words and numbers. Understanding mathematical ideas starts with vocabulary. That is, words like equals, sum, greater than, or variable have meanings that link interpretation very closely to logical problem-solving. Success in math ... ADHD Care Strategies That Help Children Thrive In School Settings - Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often face unique challenges in school, ranging from difficulties with focus and organization to struggles with impulse control and peer relationships. These challenges can sometimes create barriers to academic success and self-confidence if not addressed properly. With the right care strategies in place, children with ADHD can manage their symptoms ... Why Knowledge Is Your Defense Against Cyber Threats - Knowledge forms the backbone of any effective defense against cybercrime. Without a clear understanding of risks and the methods used by attackers, even the best tools can fall short. Security begins with people, not just systems or software. Equipping every user with the right knowledge turns them into the first line of protection. Understanding the ... A Very Green Day - Greeny doesn't want to nap she wants to be a tree. A cute story full of imagination. What Are the Benefits of Drones in Precision Agriculture? - Agriculture has always relied on innovation to meet growing food demands. From traditional tools to modern machinery, technology has reshaped farming practices. One of the most impactful advancements today is the use of drones in precision agriculture, offering farmers efficiency and smarter decision-making. These flying tools are not just gadgets; they are valuable assets for ... Making Money Work – Careers & the New Economy: The Gen Z Guide to Financial Intelligence - The second book in the Eyes-Wide-Open series, full of life hacks for Gen Z’ers by James Minter, helps establish good money habits with this easy-to-follow and insightful guide. Inside, you’ll learn how to: • Understand the psychology of money and rewrite limiting beliefs • Budget with purpose and align spending with your values • Save ... Launch a Career in Early Childhood Through a Franchise Model - Working with young children can be both rewarding and meaningful, and many professionals are seeking structured ways to enter this growing field. While traditional pathways include education degrees or independent centers, the franchise model offers a unique route for those with entrepreneurial drive. It combines a passion for child development with the structure and support ... 4 Creative Play Ideas to Spark Imagination and Sensory Growth - Creative play is important for children. It promotes imagination, cognitive development, and sensory growth. Engaging in imaginative activities allows kids to express themselves, work through emotions, and develop problem-solving skills. Through playful exploration, children discover their surroundings, interact with peers, and learn effective communication. Nature-Inspired Art Projects Encouraging children to create art using natural materials ... Convert a photo to Paint-by-Numbers: A Friendly Guide for Parents and Teachers - Imagine a quiet afternoon with your child immersed in a creative project that sharpens their focus without a screen in sight. Paint-by-number activities have long been a staple in homes and classrooms, providing a gentle introduction to artistic expression and skill building. For young learners, these structured yet imaginative tasks develop fine motor skills through ...Sponsored Links:
Note – if you sign up through these links, it doesn’t cost you any extra, but FKB receives a small donation, which helps us move towards our aim of
FREE Hardcopies!
All our posts are checked by Grammarly, the FREE online grammar checker (We still receive a donation even if you only sign up for the free account :-):
This site is hosted by Bluehost:
Leave a comment (it won’t be public) if you want help getting your own website cost-effectively.
