Appropriate grades or age groups:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Estimated time to complete project or implement technique:
Variable; can be done over time.

Materials needed (if applicable):
inexpensive plastic photo album that holds 4"x6" cards (I find them at the grocery store, near the film drop box, and they are generally less than a dollar)

4"x6" cards, unlined or lined, depending upon usage

magazine pictures for collage, or crayons, pencils, and markers for kid art

Project instructions or description of technique:
This can begin with an alphabet book. You could focus on one or two letters per book, or do a comprehensive alphabet book. If the child can write, so much the better. Older kids can enjoy making a book for a younger child. The index cards can also be printed with little story lines. Just enjoy writing, cutting, pasting, coloring, and reading your book together...and don't be insulted if there comes a day when the child wants to work alone for a bit.

Other suggestions or comments:
The covers of these are usually decorated. Let the child choose.

I s'pose a family could get really wild and crazy and take photographs of "A" things, "B" things, etc., and fill the whole book that way. Whoa...what a concept! That could fill up a whole rainy day.