Review on Art Alternatives Sketches in the Making Very Big Hardcover Sketchbook: Giant Black Sketchbook with 600 Pages (300 Sheets) by Heather Shaw

I've bought three or four of these books over the years, mostly as gifts for my friends' kids who love to draw, so they ( and their parents) can have a huge collection of their art as they grow. I recently bought one. . . and the quality actually seems to be deteriorating. These books have been produced by different manufacturers over the years and have different titles, but they are all the same. They used to be phenomenal. Thick, sturdy covers and a binding so strong you knew it could last. The paper was of good quality, smooth and thick enough to handle many types of media. Unfortunately the book I received recently is not what it used to be. First, there was no shrink wrap, and the pseudo-vacuum/label was almost completely torn off, leading me to think the book might have been a comeback. The covers and spine were already peeling off - I glued them to the page block of the book itself and while it's not perfect, it's better to keep your fingers crossed than going through a return/replacement. However - here's the kicker: the paper appears to have been bound *backwards*. The paper used in this version of the album is different from that used previously; it has a textured side and a smooth side. In the case of the book I received, the textured page is on the *back* of each leaf (so if you want the textured page to be what you're working with, this is actually the "front" of the album back, including manufacturer's logo). I work with markers so this "lucky accident" is actually good for me, but if I were an artist working with dry media I would get a little angry I think. . This book is still $25, don't get me wrong, and I think with a little care, this sketchbook can still keep up. But I would be careful not to give it away straight out of the box - check carefully to make sure it's in perfect condition. I can only hope that the quality will be the same as before. Update: After very little use the book fell apart completely. The lids were so thin that I could easily bend them back. This thing used to be a solid beast sold for exactly the same price, but now? skip it Just skip it completely.