Summer 2018, Vol. 4
Zine Mania in the ISB Library! The ISB Library’s Zine Mania was a smash hit! This six-part series of workshops was offered after school to students in 4th-8th Grade to introduce them to the world of zines and zine making. Each workshop was led by a different guest artist, with a line up that included authors, illustrators, photographers, educators, and bookmakers, all of whom brought their unique perspectives on the form. Zine Mania kicked off in April with “An Introduction to Zines” led by Brooklyn Public Library Outreach Librarian and Artist Leigh Hurwitz. Students discussed the definition, history, and circulation of zines and then created their own.
Students brainstormed how to define zines for themselves. “A very tiny book!” one student suggested. “A homemade magazine!” suggested another. Leigh Hurwitz offered a more socially-minded, abstract definition of a zine as, “an instantaneous paper rebellion.” Midway through April, we were visited by the charming and talented Sara Varon, author and illustrator of the popular Odd Duck, Robot Dreams, and the Chicken and Cat and Sweater Weather series. Sara taught attendees how to make zines filled with characters who have pop-up beaks! “The ISB students were great! I loved how enthusiastic they were, and I was excited that they were game for making mini pop-up books. They all made really fun projects.” - Sara Varon