The Charm of Small Books

I didn’t begin with the intention of making small books. I simply wanted them to last. My first bookbinding class involved creating miniature books, and from there I learned a crucial principle: paper grain matters. Folding standard printer paper in half goes against the grain, weakening the structure over time and causing pages to fall out. Cutting the sheets in half before folding solves that problem — and, as a byproduct, creates smaller books: around 4.25 by 5.5 inches.

Unexpectedly, that change in size resonated with people. Adults found the format surprisingly appealing — something about the scale made the books feel approachable and personal. Kids loved the size and insisted on carrying their new book wherever they went. What began as a structural fix became both an aesthetic and functional choice.

These books aren’t large and imposing. They’re durable and portable. They’re not flashy, but they invite touch and use. And while making them requires the extra step of cutting every page, the result is a book that feels right — sturdy, hand-sized, and meant to be read again and again.

Small wasn’t the goal. But it’s the reason people now ask for more — not just for themselves, but to gift to others.