The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Travel Guide Book Cover (DON'T PANIC)

I am Arthur Dent for Halloween this year, and I had my costume, but! No Hitchhiker's Guide. So, I looked at pictures from the movie of what the Guide looks like and decided to make my own.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. Perhaps the most remarkable, certainly the most successful book ever to come out of the great publishing corporations of Ursa Minor. -the Guide

Step 1: Gather Materials

Materials:

1) any small-ish hardback book

2) two black pieces of paper

3) one piece of white paper

4) red pencil and yellow/orange pencil

5) glue stick

6) ruler

7) scotch tape

8) scissors

9) an iPad (so you can trace the letters DON'T PANIC from the screen)

Step 2: Line Up Book on Black Paper and Trim to Size

Depending on how large/small your book is, you'll have to trim it down to size or, tape another piece of paper to the one you already have and then trim it to size. Mine was a little smaller than the width, so I had to trim about half an inch from the bottom.

I had to use another piece of black paper and trimmed it to size also, so it can completely cover the book. One piece wasn't enough.

Step 3: Tape the Paper to the Inside of the Book

You know how the dust covers are taped to the inside of a library book? This will help it not to slip out. If you want, you can tape in other places, but I didn't find this necessary for me.

One piece of paper couldn't stretch across the back of the whole book, so the other piece of paper I trimmed, I taped to the other side of the book. See next step for attaching papers.

Step 4: Tape the Two Pieces of Paper Together in the Back

Your second piece of paper may too long, so I had to mark where I needed it cut, and then cut it. Then I taped the two pieces together down the back of the book.

Finished!!!

Step 5: Trace (or Sketch Your Own) DON'T PANIC Letters

These words are the main point! I tried sketching my own DON'T PANIC, but it didn't turn out, so I decided to sketch it from the words on the iPad. This should be relatively easy (I used a ruler to get those sides straight).

Step 6: Color in the Letters and Cut Them Out

I colored them (yellow on the edges and red for the main insides) but when I cut out the letters, I realized my book was too small, so (as you can see in the last picture), I had to cut each individual letter separately and then kind of squish them together. It looks fine though. Depending on the size of your book, you may not have to do this.

Step 7: Color in the Extra White Dots, Such As in the D, O, P, and A.

Step 8: Clean Up

You'll definitely need to clean up. This project may seem simple, but boy, I made a mess. That means you will too, most likely.

Step 9: You're Done!

Admire your work. Then grab a towel, your Guide, and stick your thumb out to the stars. You have some serious galactical hitchhiking to do, my friend. Good interstellar travel to you and thank you for reading! I hope this has helped you make your own Guide well.