Hand papermaking is a versatile art form in that it can be adapted to many ability and knowledge levels. These range from academic, college-level art courses to the simplest beginner methods for creating paper. In the past five years or so, interest in simple "kitchen" methods of papermaking has grown rapidly. Adults have signed up for one-session introductory papermaking workshops, eager to create paper art. Children have made paper in school art classes, in groups such as scouts, and in community education and craft programs. Simple papermaking appeals; it can be done quickly and with easily obtained, inexpensive equipment. In addition, papermaking can be psychologically satisfying because materials can be recycled which would otherwise be added to ever-growing landfills. Arnold Grummer, author of Paper by Kids (1980), has recently published this new book, Tin Can Papermaking. This work addresses the simplest ideas of what paper is and how handmade paper can inspire creativity. It is a guide for new papermakers and for those who teach children. The book is subtitled Recycle for Earth and Art. Grummer touches on these two focal points and addresses papermaking concisely in his spare, clear, and easily understood text. The work begins with two questions: "Can you really recycle waste paper into beautiful new art and decorative paper? Can you really make good paper with two tin cans?" Grummer answers both questions with an enthusiastic "Yes!" and proceeds to tell the reader how to go about it, in simple terms. The first chapter outlines the basic equipment needed: tin cans, hardware cloth wire mesh, a plastic screen, a window screen, a sponge, paper towels, a wooden pressing board, and a blender. A kit is available for purchase along with the book, containing the screens, sponge, reusable couching linters, and board. This kit, according to Grummer, will soon be offered as a premium on millions of products. Chapter Two shows the method of tin can papermaking. The directions are precise and the many photographs found here and throughout the book are very helpful. Following chapters tell how to experiment with textures, colored pulps and fibers, embedding techniques, and pulp layering, and how to make pulp "guns" from recycled plastic squeeze bottles. Additional information tells what to do with the round paper made with this tin can mold/poured method. These ideas include letters written in the round, invitations, greeting cards, coasters, and collage. Directions are also given for making envelopes for the round paper out of scrap paper. The balance of the book is devoted to simple discussions of the ideas behind the recycling movement, what paper is, and why paper can be recycled. A final interesting chapter tells about other paper additives and how these can be used by the recycling hand papermaker. "The hundreds of specialized additives for bulk, color, brightness, water resistance, etc., and all other specialized ingredients are free to the recycling papermaker, as are...thousands of pulps containing thousands of combinations of additives, each of which will provide a different kind of new paper....For the hand papermaker, recycling opens a whole world of investigations, discovery, experimentation, and adventure." Grummer's enthusiastic tone is prevalent throughout this very up-beat publication. It is a book celebrating the beauty of discovering papermaking at its most basic level. There is no talk here of pH, archival concerns, art aesthetics, or advanced paper chemistry; this book is truly about the magic of creating a sheet of paper from the "throw-away" fiber materials which are all around us. Tin Can Papermaking celebrates this magic and makes its discovery accessible. Norma Hanlon  

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