Caroline Lena Books

I have been making books since early childhood. I must have been influenced by my first grade teacher, who took our handwritten stories and typed them up using a typewriter, leaving space for our illustrations. She hand-stitched the bindings and created cloth covers for at least five books for each student! Now, with over 15 years of teaching experience myself, I deeply appreciate her generosity with her craft, and cherish the books she helped us make.

Around the same age, I remember lying down on the floor in my home while stapling folded index cards to create a small book. I remember cutting one card in half, folding it, then gluing it over the spine to cover the staples. I titled the book, Some Stories. It was likely inspired by my favorite miniature collection of Beatrix Potter’s books that fit snuggly into their box. I still love tiny books.