Florence’s Book Stand

Florence and Nana want to copy a bird picture while they draw. The book lies flat on the table, hidden behind their drawing paper. “I keep leaning over to see it,” says Florence.

She stands the open book against a smooth box. For a moment she can see the picture clearly. Then the bottom slides forward. The book lies flat again, and Nana moves the crayons out of its way.

“The back has something to lean on,” says Florence. “But the bottom keeps moving.” Nana folds a broad piece of thick card into a low stand. Its back slopes, and its base lies flat on the table.

They rest the book on the sloping card. Florence keeps a hand nearby. The bottom begins to slide along the base. “It needs a little stop here,” she says, pointing to the front edge.

Nana folds the front edge up to make a broad lip and tapes the fold securely. Florence puts the book back. The lip catches its lower edge while the sloping back supports the open pages.

They test the stand on the clear table. Florence lets go of the book, then sits in her drawing place. It stays where she can see it. Nana checks that the stand is balanced and steady.

Florence draws the bird’s round body and pointed beak. Nana draws the tail. Neither needs to hold the book now. “The stand is doing that job,” says Florence, reaching for a brown crayon.

When they finish, they lift the book off and fold the stand flat. Florence keeps it with the drawing supplies. “Next time, we could draw a boat,” she says. Nana puts their bird drawings up for everyone to see.