AGES:  Prereaders, beginning readers, older readers

MATERIALS:  Sturdy paper or thin cardboard, materials for decorating (see suggestions), clear contact paper

To decorate a set of bookmarks, kids can choose their favorite medium from among these:

* Tiny pressed flowers

* Marbling (floating oil paint on water)

* Crayons or marking pens

* Picture cutouts from book clubs or book reviews

* A handwritten poem

* Rubber stamps or stickers

If you have clear contact paper, let the children laminate their bookmarks between sheets of the contact paper after they finish decorating.  Smooth out the contact on both sides, then cut out around each bookmark.  If they like, the children can insert a tassel or piece of ribbon between the contact to hang down from the bookmark.