Believe it or not, the first known pop-up element in a book appeared in an astrological manuscript in 1306. During the ensuing centuries, movable mechanics were used in more and more books--but only for adults. In the 1700s a British bookseller came up with the idea of illustrating well-known children's stories with movable flaps of paper. The rest, as they say, is history. Now aspiring paper mechanics (creative engineer-artists who create dimensional and movable books, otherwise known as pop-ups) can learn the how-tos and wherefores of this marvelous craft. From tip-ons to dummies to glue knock-outs, all the intricacies of pop-up production are outlined and explained.

Readers are invited to take apart the sample pop-ups (as long as they promise to put them back together!) to determine exactly how each score folds and where each glue point is. Instructions are somewhat advanced, but the dimensional samples and the step-by-step photographic essay on how a pop-up is made will ease the journey. David Carter and James Diaz have each created many, many pop-up books, and are passionate about their trade. So blow the cobwebs out of the geometry corner of your brain, and get to work! (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter


From School Library Journal
Grade 3 Up-Two eminent paper engineers offer a nearly encyclopedic gallery of moving effects, with more than 50 different working models. They are set-when appropriate-on flaps, making the inner workings visible, and include precise design and assembly notes, all sandwiched between a partial history of pop-ups and an artist's-eye view of the production stages of this popular art form. A commanding safety note warns children away from craft knives, and though most of the effects require dexterity and patience to reproduce, the authors have flagged easier projects. All of the models, even the spectacular, full-spread opener, are constructed of white, undecorated stock, but the authors urge aspiring paper engineers to expand the possibilities by experimenting with combined effects or even inventing new ones. Despite some sketchy peripherals-the opening history stops with Jonathan Miller's The Human Body (Viking, 1983)-this book is not only a work of art in itself, but also a practical manual that takes a huge step past Barbara Valenta's Pop-o-mania (Dial, 1997). A link from the authors' and publisher's Web sites leads to reproducible, flat patterns for every tab, tube, cutout, wheel, and cam.John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Here at last is the definitive book on how to make a pop-up. Every aspect of the creation of a pop-up, known as paper engineering, is clearly and thoroughly covered. All types of parallel folds, angle folds, wheels, and pull tabs are accurately detailed verbally and visually, flat and in dimension. Also included is a history of pop-ups and a step-by-step photographic essay on how a pop-up is made from start to finish. This guided tour is perfect for aspiring pop-up creators, paper engineers, students, and appreciators of this unique art form.


About the Author
David A. Carter is a paper engineer, author, and illustrator. He has created more than forty pop-up books including Bugs in a Box® Books with combined sales of over four million copies. He lives in Auburn, California, with his wife and two daughters.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Here at last is the definitive book on how to make a pop-up. Every aspect of the creation of a pop-up, known as paper engineering, is clearly and thoroughly covered. All types of parallel folds, angle folds, wheels, and pull tabs are accurately detailed verbally and visually, flat and in dimension. Also included is a history of pop-ups and a step-by-step photographic essay on how a pop-up is made from start to finish. This guided tour is perfect for aspiring pop-up creators, paper engineers, students, and appreciators of this unique art form.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Kristin Harris

This is the definitive reference book for the aspiring paper engineer. The lifeblood of pop-ups is kinetic energy, or the energy resulting from motion. When a card or book is opened, wonderful things happen as a result of that energy. This is the ultimate collection of folds put together for the purpose of learning how to create pop-ups. The only true pop-up art included with the book is on the first page. A very complex white scary monster jumps out to greet you as you read the introduction, a brief history and the glossary of terms. What follows are fourteen pages of samples of a variety of folds and the resulting effects when used in a pop-up environment and then the final two pages contain general instructions about how pop-ups are made. This is a must have for any with serious interest in this art form.

Midwest Book Review