Ssh...!

Want to know how to make a secret book?

My advice is don't... it's a pain to do! Oh, you really want to? OK, then, here we go...

1: Find a cheap hardback book; charity shops are often good for this. I picked up a couple of old bonkbusters for 50p each

2: Get some:
    PVA glue
    Gold paint
    Sharp craft knives
    Felt
    Wrapping or scrap-booking paper
    Sheet of plastic (or a piece of cardboard covered in cling film will do)

3: Open the book near the top and slide the plastic sheet between the pages

4: Dilute the PVA glue with an equal amount of water in a cup and paste the closed pages. Keep doing this. A lot

5: Put the book somewhere warm to dry. Weight it down with a heavy object to keep it from warping

6: Once it is dry open it up, measure out an oblong on the bottom pages

7: Using your craft knife; cut around the lines of the olbong. Continue to do this until you reach near the bottom, your entire house is covered in little shards of paper and your wrists ache. Hint - make sure you cut right to the corners as you go down otherwise you'll be left with small lumps of paper that are really hard to cut out

8: Mix up some more PVA/water solution and slap it on all over the cut edges of the pages. Put some more on the outer sides too

9: Repeat step 5   

10: Once the book is dry paint the pages gold all over

11: Dry the book in an open position otherwise the paint will glue it all together and you will get cross 

12: Cut the wrapping paper to fit the front and back  and glue in place

13: Think of an amusing title, print out, cut to size and glue to the spine

14:  Cut 2 pieces of felt to fit the cut out hole; glue one in the hole and one to the top part to create a nice box effect

15: Once this is all dry cover all the outside with PVA/water solution and leave to dry - best to do that in stages so you don't stick the book to anything

16: put some chocolate coins in the secret compartment and give to young child

17: Bask in the glory of being an amazingly cool aunt