In the current rush to publish books on the subject of handmade paper, what makes a new publication unique is its writer's individual focus and need. For centuries, handmade paper has been used primarily as a painting ground or a surface for script and documentation. This remained so until the past few decades, when paper pulp became a medium used by innovative artists. Because of Marianne Saddington's own interest and focus on calligraphy and handmade paper, her book, Making Your Own Paper, An Introduction to Creative Papermaking, runs the gamut of the myriad processes in making paper and returns full circle to the writing surface. For the beginning student who finds both the chemistry and the art of papermaking a bit intimidating, this book offers a veritable smorgasbord of ideas, with seductive photographs by Juan Espi and clear illustrations by the author. Having taught for many years, I have found that amateur students need the kind of nurturing this book provides. Chapter topics merge in a systematic manner with simple projects, supported by background information in each section. This book supports personal exploration in the craft by showing numerous alternatives to the traditional methods of sheet formation, couching, mold construction, etc., without the do's and don'ts found in more technical texts on the subject. I found myself chuckling in recognition at Saddington's approach to problem solving, like her fancy "weight brick" for pressing papers and her drainage bag for pulps, made from old window curtains. Confusing problems in semantics might develop for the American reader, with terms like "serviette" and "sunlight soap." Saddington's use of the metric system might be a more serious stumbling block for those interpreting measurements in the projects listed throughout the book. Similarly, paper measurements and quantities referred to in the book follow the A system, which is the International Standards Organization's system of categorizing paper sizes. A parenthetical conversion could have solved this problem, simplifying the information for the unacquainted reader. After the preliminary description of paper and its history, the following three chapters cover beginning experiments with poured papers, regular and alternative molds, and sheet formation, with complete instructions on recycled pulp preparation, drainage, storage, pressing, and drying paper, all with effective encouragement for the student. However, in one case, recommending the kitchen sink as a vat is foolhardy, since pulp can dry like cement in the drain elbow. The next chapter covers the creation of paper from plants, with some humorous descriptions, such as: "Once boiled, the contents of the pot should resemble the green slime on a stagnant pond." One warning: the book suggests adding caustic soda to boiling water, a highly dangerous practice. Simple crafts and craft techniques with handmade paper are described with accompanying how-to illustrations, including paper mounts for photographs, laminating and embossing, potato prints and linocuts, simple marbling, and bookbinding ideas and projects. The end of this section includes an attractive photograph with detailed instructions for making an accordion book. The closing chapter on paper art could be a letdown for the advanced student, but taken in the context of this book's elementary approach, it is valid in its content. Simple approaches to paper casting, collages, and 3-D constructions are given. The last project covers papier-mache, which seems odd in a book about handmade paper. The work of better known artists could have been juxtaposed with those works illustrated as examples of fine art employing handmade paper. Probably the most outstanding feature of this book is the author's own advice on surface preparation for writing, due to her own extensive research and experimentation as a papermaking calligrapher. I was able to glean some very useful tips for different types of sizings, such as gelatin, starch, wood glue, and methyl cellulose. The section on color and texture additives, however, is again for the novice, with no mention of longevity or color fastness. All in all, Making Your Own Paper is an inspiring book for the beginning papermaker, with a solid foundation of information and encouragement in paper playfulness. Georgeann Kuhl

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