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Accordion Books: Interplay Between Form and Content

This digital teaching collection focuses on accordion books, which are a specific type of artists' book.

Discussion Questions

Below are some general discussion questions that can be adapted to many instructional settings:

  1. What is an accordion book? How is it distinct from other types of artists’ books? 
  2. What are some reasons that a creator might make an accordion book as opposed to a more traditional codex book?
  3. What unique attributes of accordion books make them great vessels for sharing messages about social or cultural issues?
  4. How can accordion books challenge our ideas about identity and culture?
  5. The accordion books in this teaching collection vary greatly in size and shape, yet they all share the unique function of expanding and contracting as you read them. How might the size and shape of the accordion book affect you as a reader? 
  6. Describe a concept for an accordion book you would create if you had the time, skill, knowledge, and opportunity.

Classroom Activities

Below are a few classroom activities that can be adapted to various instructional settings:

  1. Look through all of the accordion books and choose your favorite. Write a one page paper about what unique features it has and why this book captured your attention.

  2. Critique an accordion book. Choose one from the list, review it carefully, and answer the following questions:
    1. What do I see? Describe colors, shapes, textures, size, etc.
    2. What do I read? Describe the language, the content, and how it fits into the larger story the author is telling.
    3. What do I interpret as the author’s message? (support with evidence)
    4. How is all of the previous information supposed to make me feel versus how does it actually make me feel? (intent versus effect)  

  3. Create your own accordion book: decide on a topic, map out the content, create a draft, and then create your accordion book.