Teaching resource Concertina comic books

Introduction

A concertina book is a long sheet of paper folded in a zig zag or accordion manner that can be viewed unraveled while also be collapsed for storage. The pages can flow into each other which can help create a personal narrative.

Exercise 1

To create the concertina book you will follow these steps:

Fold your large sheet of paper in half length ways. Put a lot of pressure to create a clear fold line. Then fold each half in half lengthways. You will have four quarters evenly spread length ways. 

Fold out the paper to be flat again. Now fold the paper in half the other way and then in quarters. Again put pressure on each fold to create clear lines. 

Now your page will be divided into sixteen sections. 

Cut the paper into four rows along the marks you have folded. 

To finish the book glue the ends of the strips on to each other to create a long strip of paper that folds down. 

You will now have sixteen evenly spread images in concertina book style.

Exercise 2

Recall a fond childhood memory. Think about what you can see, hear, taste, touch and smell. Bring the memory to life. Across the sixteen pages you will draw out that memory. 

In your preferred drawing materials start on the first page with the beinging of the memory. You can include text, like a comic book, or use only imagery. 

Fill in the following pages until you have completed your narrative.