(I made the title My Busy Book partly because it was less letters to cut out and sew)
The handles are ribbon. I "quilted" the book with receiving blankets sewn between the pages that add a little stability to the pages, and also make the book soft and thick.
I added two felt pockets in the inside cover, one for a pencil or crayons, and the other for a small notebook perhaps?
The back cover has a pocket also, one that closes with a snap.