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Pop-Up: Everything You Need to Create Your Own Pop-Up Book    by Ruth Wickings & Frances Castle Amazon.com order for
Pop-Up
by Ruth Wickings
Order:  USA  Can
Candlewick, 2010 (2010)
Hardcover
* *   Reviewed by Bob Walch

Novelty books, especially pop-ups, are not only very popular with children but they have acquired a large following of adult collectors as well. With more sophisticated paper engineering, these books
have reached new levels of complexity that make one wonder, 'How did they do this?'

Ruth Wickings lets the cat out of the bag when it comes to creating ingenious pop-up books in this hands-on guide and kit to creating your own pop-up book. Dubbing it 'Everything You Need to Know to Create Your Own Pop-Up Book', the author includes instructions and components for piecing together one really cool book.

The components will enable you to create a dragon, castle jungle scenario or Frankenstein scene. You won't need glue or scissors because all the parts are pre-scored so they press-out easily and they have peel-off sticky-backs. How easy is that? But a word to the wise. Once you press a piece down, it may not pull up very easily so make sure to place it where you want it BEFORE applying pressure!

For those who want to create something a little more complex, you'll find a handy guide to basic folds and techniques plus a sample pop-up robot showing how these techniques may be used. Once you get the hang of angle and parallel folding and creating spiral effects, you'll be able to let your imagination be your guide for future pop-up projects.

Because of the small pieces this book does pose a choking hazard for use with younger children. Quite frankly, only older youngsters (7 years of age and up) should be using this book. Actually, even that age group will probably need a little adult help since this book is a little more complex than the average pop-up.

Also, don't miss the lift the flap on the book's cover. I have to admit I did until someone pointed it out to me. I also have to admit that it's really cool, so you don't want to miss it!

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