Since when did BOOK COVERS become a requirement???

[Deb in IA]

OK, now, granted, I went to high school in the Dark Ages (also known as the '70's). But I don't remember having to have book covers for our textbooks.

DD started her freshman year yesterday. She comes home and says that her teachers are requiring book covers. And her English teacher says that it has to be a paper cover, and it can't be taped to the book.


So, at 8:30 last night, we were scouring the town, looking for book covers. Of course, all we could find are Barbie, Spiderman, and Fantastic Four patterns, all of which are very un-cool for a high schooler. ARRRGGGHHH!!!


Does any other schools require this? Is this a new thing? Where can you get them? And how do you make a paper cover??

HELP!!

 

[Cantw8]

Deb'
I always buy the stretchy kind. It just slips right on to the book, no hassles. They are a bit pricey. I got them in Barnes and Noble for $4.99 each, buy two get one free.

 

[DoeWDW]

Our schools have always required them.

We really like the stretchy Book Sox covers.

However if you've got a creative kid, just head to the grocery store and ask for some brown paper grocery bags. Make sure the plain inside of the bag ends up on the outside of the book, so they can personalize it with crayons, colored pencils, stickers, etc.

 

[LindaR]

My daughter is a junior......she's had to cover her books since she started school! Anyway, she covered her history book using a bag from American Eagle. One of her friends used an Abercrombie & Fitch bag. That paper used to make those bags is very thick and tough (and have "hot" photos, I'm told).

 

[diznygirl]

Oh, I was an expert at paper book covers - my schools always required them for all the books. There is a way to fold them so that the edges just slide right onto the cover. We always used brown paper bags or white butcher paper - that way we could write all over them! I still have one someplace...... ah, the good ol' days!

 

[aprincessmom]

DD's school requires them too and she's only in elementary. We found the stretchy ones for about 1.99 (small) and 2.99 (large) at Brooks Drug and AC Moore (the craft store). Lots of cool colors and geographic patterns and they wear great. DD will be using the ones from last year this year and all I had to do was wash them and they look like new.

If you want to do a paper cover, get shopping bags or a roll of brown parcel paper. If using bags, cut the bottom out and make a cut up the side so the paper lays flat. Lay the book, spine side down and open on the paper so you can see how much of it you need. Trim down accordingly but leave at least 1.5 inches around the entire book. Then, using scissors, make cuts in the corners so you can bring the paper up smoothly to fold and tape over (kind of like wrapping a gift).

 

[dcgrumpy]

I know they were required when I was in elementary school, not sure about HS.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I used to make book covers for my school books all the time when I was a kid. Let's see if I can remember how without having to google.

Take a paper grocery store bag, cut it down the seam and flatten it out. Lay the book on it, opened up cover down. Cut the bag to be about two inches wider on all sides.

Fold the long ends (that will be the top and the bottom of the book) so that the paper width will correspond with the top and bottom edges. Then fold the short ends to do the same with the edges of the front and back cover. This should form two flaps that you can put the front and back covers in so that the book cover will hold on to the book without using tape or glue.

I hope I described this right. If not, let me know and I'll try to clarify.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

My kids have always had to do this. We use brown paper grocery bags. I just covered a bunch last night!
Then they decorate them themselves, using markers, stickers, whatever.

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks, all!!!


But when you fold the top and bottom edges over, you have to cut out the area over the spine of the book, right? That's the part I couldn't get last night.

 

[Serena]

This might seem like a dumb question, but why do they need book covers? I never had to, and neither did/do my kids, so I'm wondering why they need them.

 

[stinkerbelle]

This might seem like a dumb question, but why do they need book covers? I never had to, and neither did/do my kids, so I'm wondering why they need them.

i had to cover my books all through middle/high school.
we didn't buy our books...they were given to us each year...and if they came back in worse condition then when we were given them - we'd have to buy them.

I HATED covering my books - I suck at wrapping gifts AND covering books. My mom charged me a $1 a book. hehehe. we just got the paperbags from the grocery store and used those.

 

[Deb in IA]

This might seem like a dumb question, but why do they need book covers? I never had to, and neither did/do my kids, so I'm wondering why they need them.

Well, I wondered that too, Serena, but since I was told by DD that she HAD to have them, I didn't question it too much.

Must not be a big thing in Indiana -- neither me nor my DH (who also went to school in Indiana) has ever heard of doing this before . . .

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Thanks, all!!!


But when you fold the top and bottom edges over, you have to cut out the area over the spine of the book, right? That's the part I couldn't get last night.

The only cutting I ever recall doing is to cut the bag down to the size I needed. Then it was four folds. It would be just like a dust jacket that would cover the front and back covers and the spine. I guess you could cut it to expose the spine if you wanted to. If the purpose of the paper book cover is to protect the book's actual cover, then I would think you would want to protect the spine as well.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I use a bit different method.

I take the oblong shaped paper, figure out how 'tall' the spine is, then I make two lengthwise folds (one on top, one on bottom, folding in flaps, so that now the paper is the same height as the book. Then I sit the book on the paper, center it, and fold up the sides, flap over the front and back pieces, make a nice fold, then the front and back cover will slip into the 'pocket' that you've made. You may need to cut some off if it is too long, and I also usually tape the flaps from inside to outside.

Hope that makes sense, and that its not totally confusing. Wish I could draw it here, or show you pictures.

PM me if you need any more help.

 

[saucymb]

Thanks, all!!!


But when you fold the top and bottom edges over, you have to cut out the area over the spine of the book, right? That's the part I couldn't get last night.

Not necessarily. Imagine the dust cover on a library book. The top portions are folded to the exact size of the book, then the ends are "hooked" onto the book covers. Use some tape to secure the inside of the cover to the outside of the cover (not the book, just the cover). Does that make sense?

Office Max had stretchable covers for $1.99 each. We always used grocery bags on our books, and at back-to-school time the grocery stores, etc. had paper bags with the markings for book covers already on them!

Even if book covers are not required, it's a good idea to use them, as it prolongs the life and look of the book, especially if it will be used by other students in years to come.

 

[MickeysMommy]

i had to cover my books all through middle/high school.
we didn't buy our books...they were given to us each year.... we just got the paperbags from the grocery store and used those.

Same here.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

And, our kids don't buy the books, they belong to the school, and the purpose is to try to keep them in as good condition as possible, so they can be used longer, hence saving money etc.

 

[clutter]

Deb, I was in high school in the seventies, and I made them the way SunFlorida describes.

 

[nemo1987]

I had to cover all of my books in junior high but not high school. They considered us to be "adults" and trusted us enough to take care of the books without covers. I always covered mine with brown grocery bags because the other kinds of pre-made covers were not allowed because they might damage the books too. I can understand junior high kids having to cover the books, but not sure why high schoolers do...
-Sarah