We spent one morning this week making pop-ups, after my eldest son found Paul Jackson’s The Pop-Up Book in my office. He was drawn to the more elaborate projects in the book, featuring illustrations that pop out from the background; his younger brother liked the simple, abstract cuttings that just allow the paper to fold out in different ways. Both boys were very excited to show their mother their work when she returned home.

Jackson’s book introduces the craft in a straightforward, linear manner, progressing from basic techniques using a single cut and a single sheet of paper, to more advanced methods and larger projects. It is designed for an adult enthusiast, but the basic techniques can easily be taught to children, and with practice more elaborate designs may be realized. I have read complaints that some of the most appealing designs in the book do not have instructions, but I don’t think that that is the point: Having learned the basics, you should use the book as a springboard for your own creativity, and look to such illustrations for inspiration rather than instruction.

My sons each had a particular design that they wanted to try, and so we plunged right in: I have already read the book and done my own pop-ups, and I knew how to show them the techniques that were required. If they continue to show an interest in this craft, however, I will return to the beginning and ensure that they know the fundamentals, with Jackson’s book as my guide. Who knows what they may learn to produce, or to what uses they may put the art? I can imagine birthday cards and school reading projects, but they were happy just to keep their pop-ups as decorations in their room.

There seem to be many resources on the web for would-be paper engineers, and one that may prove most appealing is the website of Robert Sabuda, who has helped spark new interest in the craft with his Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 19th, 2005 at 10:09 am and is filed under Books, Games & Activities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.