I also do the same. After the rough drafts are written they are to do a final draft and attach it to a white piece of paper, where they add an illustration. All the pages are laminated and bound into a book. Students reread this book throughout the year. It easily becomes a favorite.
Students also enjoy reading the book from the previous years classes.
In order for my students to get to know their classmates, I create a word search with the names of my students. Upon completion, we stage a puppet show. The children hide their faces with the puppets and tell their classmates all about their families, hobbies, pets, etc. On the first day of school, I like to make a name puzzle with my students. I take a large piece of poster board, and mark out lines that can be cut into pieces.