Magic Books & Paper Toys: Flip Books, E-Z Pop-Ups & Other Paper Playthings to Amaze & Delight

by Esther K. Smith

Everyone loves a good book, but what’s better than one you’ve made by hand? And not just any straightforward book, but simple pop-up books, flip books, magic pamphlets, pop-up maps, and accordions! Esther K. Smith, author of How to Make Books , unlocks the secrets of making tricky book forms even if you’ve never worked with paper before.

While some of these 25 projects can be made by kids with a little help from mom or dad, all are designed with the adult in mind—the adult who’s a kid at heart! With step-by-step directions and charming illustrations, a few carefully placed cuts and an array of folds and twists almost magically become a colorful, multidimensional book.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2008

About the author

Esther K Smith wrote How to Make Books published November '07 by Potter Craft, an imprint of Random House. At Purgatory Pie Press in New York City, she makes limited editions and artist books with letterpress printer Dikko Faust and other artists and writers. They designed much of How to Make Books, hand-setting antique wood type.

Purgatory Pie Press has had solo exhibitions at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harvard University and Smith College. Purgatory Pie Press editions are also in the rare book collections of Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, The National Gallery of Art, the Corcoran, the Tate, San Francisco MoMA, and the Walker Museum.

Esther K Smith has curated artist book exhibitions and has taught Artist Books at Cooper Union since 1992. She and Faust also present lectures and workshops as visiting artists, train interns at Purgatory Pie Press in New York City, and design, letterpress print and hand-bind commissions for clients. Purgatory Pie Press has won design awards from The American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Esther K Smith is working on a new book for Random House, Magic Books & Paper Toys.

Reviews

[Marcie Lovett]

Two-sided book, 1/2 paper toys, 1/2 "books" except there are no books, just folded paper and a zine. The hand-drawn illustrations accompanying the instructions were hard to follow and the whole concept felt forced. Another book that uses too many exclamation points in describing how much fun you'll have with the projects. Can't recommend.

[Debra]

Never got to use this books with my kiddos. I need to get a bone file so that we can make those sharp creases. Will put this on back burner until I can get together with them and discuss what interests them.

[Krista Park]

A really fun book with clear, illustrated instructions and ideas on how to elaborate or create new things.

[Kim]

This is a nicely done intro to various types of paper construction. I am using the book to develop a better understanding of popup and 3D page effects, but there are other types of paper projects in here to feed your creative mind. All the projects are well illustrated with easy to follow directions, too.

[Vi]

The people from Purgatory Pie Press have put out a book on simple paper structures that makes books that flip and toys that flop. The projects are relatively easy and work for school aged kids. However, most of the projects are not that unconventional, so, people with interests in magical paper structures will know most of the projects listed here.

[Gina]

I am a total beginner at paper toys (meaning I print out stuff from the Toymaker and attempt to figure out how to fold and glue it together), but they sure are fun! I'd love to someday be able to do the things in this book and perhaps I will revisit it in the future!

[Mandy]

This book is super cool. Especially the hexaflexagon instructions. There's no way to really tell what you're going to get until you make one, luckily they're easy to make.

[Jeanne]

This is a book to "read" again and again. So many ideas and so workable at many levels.

[RF]

another delightful book by my fave bookbinding author...

[Tammy]

Excellent project ideas including spinners, weaving paper, accordion type structures.

[Mandy]

Minus one star for flipping the pages upside down halfway through. I was expecting more books and less paper toys, but that's ok ;)

[Katie]

Another cool and clever book from Esther K Smith (even her name is cool). Nearly as awesome as How to Make Books, which is still extremely awesome.

[Nancy]

Fun and well done. Thank you for the Exquisite Corpse Flap Book idea/instructions! Looking forward to revealing this to young writers.

[Carolyn]

Another fun one by Esther K. Smith...