Sabuda and Reinhart Pop-up Books
Ranked #742 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #32,698 overall
Meet the creative forces behind the most popular pop-up books in the market today.
Together as a team and individually, Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart are the creative forces behind the world's most amazing pop-up books. Armed with their scissors, glue, X-acto blades, and boundless creativity, they have raised the bar for pop-up artists and paper engineers everywhere and have elevated the status of the pop-up book from a children's novelty item to a work of art worthy of being exhibited in a museum.
Stay with me 'til the end of the page to see Sabuda Reinhart books and learn more about the pop-up dream team and their astounding, ground-breaking work.
Photo from Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up courtesy of Amazon
An interview with Robert & Matthew
Pop Up book revolutionaries.
Master paper craftsmen Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
are responsible for revolutionizing the pop-up book industry, repositioning the pop-up book as a children's novelty item into a grown-up collector's obsession via their intricately-crafted masterpieces.
So how did the partnership start? Matthew joined Robert's studio initially as an intern while in graduate school at Pratt Institute. After a stint as a model maker for Nickelodeon, Matthew signed on full-time in 1999, first assisting on Robert's projects, then collaborating with him. He now creates his own titles on his own as well. Learn more about them by watching this interview.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-up

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, master paper engineer Robert Sabuda has created a pop-up version of Dorothy's adventures in Oz that fans will find irresistible. He modelled his depictions of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the rest of the gang after W. W. Denslow's original art and added a third dimension that would have rocked Denslow's -- and Baum's -- world.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: A Pop-Up Adaptation
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is Robert Sabuda's most amazing creation ever, featuring stunning pop-ups illustrated in John Tenniel's classic style. The abridged text, cleverly tucked into minibooks on each spread is faithful to Lewis Carroll's original story, and special effects like a Victorian peep show, multifaceted foil, and tactile elements make this a pop-up to read and admire again and again. (source: Amazon)
Peter Pan: A Classic Collectible Pop-up

Readers will delight in this retelling of the classic story of Neverland, pirates, and flying. Robert Sabuda's elegant text and paper engineering give new life to favorite charcters like Tinkerbell, Wendy, Michael, and John, and, of course, Peter Pan. Sabuda's beautiful pop-ups are further complemented by full color illustrations that pull readers even deeper into the magical world that is Neverland. Not to be missed. (source: Amazon)
Who is Robert Sabuda?
Robert James Sabuda (born 8 March 1965) was born in the small rural town of Pinckney in southeastern Michigan. Every night his mom would read a story to him, his brother and sister. Reading was very important in their household and was promoted at every opportunity.
He discovered he was an artist from the first time he held a crayon and was often found in his room drawing, painting, cutting, and gluing. His father was a mason and a carpenter so he learned (or perhaps inherited) the ability to create with his hands. His mom also had a local dancing school where he would while time away tap dancing. This was also where he would first experience the art of visual storytelling. The school staged a recital every year and Robert was always in charge of creating the scenery and backdrops for the shows.
He further developed his artistic skills throughout high school and left Michigan after graduating to attend Pratt Institute in New York City to study art. His interest in children's book illustration began when he interned with Dial Books for Young Readers as a junior at Pratt. After graduating, he initially worked as a package designer until he started writing and drawing his own children's books. With his background in crafting, he taught himself how to make pop-up books and the rest is history. Now he is a critically acclaimed pop-up book creator, having been awarded the Meggendorfer Prize three times, for The Christmas Alphabet in 1996, Cookie Count in 2002 and The Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-up Book, also in 2002.
Sabuda presently works from his studio in New York City with his partner Matthew Reinhart and is involved in a wide variety of projects that involve movable paper.
Read more about Robert Sabuda on his website:
- Robert Sabuda's Official Website
- If you want to learn more about Robert and his amazing books you've come to the right place! Enter the world of pop-ups and enjoy your visit.
Complete your Robert Sabuda library
Star Wars: A Pop-up Guide to the Galaxy

Bestselling pop-up artist and engineer Matthew Reinhart designed a 30th Anniversary Commemorative Edition that comes packed with a variety of exciting features -- intricate pop-ups and fold-outs that explode right out of the page at you, light sabers that really light up, and a well-thought-out interactive look at the popular movie franchise.
Mommy?
They're all here! Everybody's favorite monsters are just going about their business when a plucky little boy wanders into their cuckoo house. And what does he want? He wants Mommy! No matter how scary these monsters are, there's no besting a little boy who's looking for his mommy. In one hilarious pop-up extravaganza after another, this kid shows them a thing or two.
Mommy? combines the talents of renowned children's book writer/artist Maurice Sendak
and writer Arthur Yorinks with popular paper engineer Matthew Reinhart in this pop-up tour de force that abounds with humor, vibrant artwork, and visual fireworks. (source: Amazon)
The Jungle Book: A Pop-up Adventure

In this stunning retelling of a phenomenal classic, honor is tested, battles of good over evil are waged, and the importance of family reigns supreme. True to Rudyard Kipling's original story, tree branches literally draw the reader in to this tale of Mowgli the Man Cub exploring the ruins of the Lost City, riding atop thundering elephants, and facing a fierce tiger attack! A must-have for every family's library, this epic pop-up adventure features paper engineering as intricate and magical as the very laws of the jungle. (Source: Amazon)
Who is Matthew Reinhart?
Matthew Christian Reinhart was born September 21, 1971 to jet fighter-turned oral surgeon Gary and Judith Reinhart in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Arts and crafts had always been an integral part in Matthew's childhood. He would draw anywhere and any time he got the chance and like any young artistically-inclined boy, these drawings would always consist of doodles of spaceships, dinosaurs, monsters, and action heroes.
Even though he was skilled in the arts, he thought of following his dad's footsteps and went off to study biology in Clemson College to prepare for medical school. In between his required courses he took up a few art classes. This rekindled his passion for the arts so even if he excelled in his course and eventually graduated Cum Laude, he always felt that there was something missing.
After graduating, he took a year off before going on to medical school and moved to New York where he met Robert Sabuda. They began doing volunteer work together. Robert's book Christmas Alphabet had just been released to rave reviews so he persuaded Matthew to follow his artistic calling by attending Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. With his parents' blessing and support, Matthew enrolled as an industrial design student the following year. Pratt was a fantastic, eye opening experience for Matthew.
Armed with his newfound skills, he began to make pop-up books with Robert. Matthew's first big break on his own was through The Pop-Up Book Of Phobias. Other books followed, including collaborations with Robert and renowned illustrator Maurice Sendak for the New York Times best-selling Mommy. He continues to work and live in New York City with his partner Robert Sabuda.
Read more about Matthew Reinhart on his website:
- Welcome to Matthew Reinhart.com
- Learn more about the talented paper craftsman and his awesome books!
Complete your Matthew Reinhart Library
Take a look inside their books
A video library of Sabuda and Reinhart's stunning paper-engineering.
They're even better together
Robert & Matthew may be great on their own but can you imagine what two geniuses can come up with when they bring their acts together? Magic! Check out their collaborations below.
The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-up: Based on the Books by C. S. Lewis

In The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-up, C.S. Lewis's classic Narnia books spring to life in the hands of award-winning paper engineer Robert Sabuda. Working with illustrators Matthew Reinhart and Matthew Armstrong, each of the seven books in the series has its own pop-up spread rendered in spectacular detail with stunning special effects. Experience a different adventure from Narnia on every spread in this beautiful addition to the Narnia library.
Encyclopedia Prehistorica: The Complete Collection
For the first time, the mastery of Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda is presented in a deluxe boxed set along with three exclusive "stand-ups." Included are the books DINOSAURS, SHARKS AND OTHER SEA MONSTERS, and MEGA-BEASTS, as well as a pull-out drawer containing a trio of creatures specially created for this collection.

Dinosaurs is an awe-inspiring tribute to the world's most beloved extinct animals and their 180-million-year reign on the planet. More than 35 complex and stunning pop-ups include a massive T. Rex that springs out, flashing a startling jawful of jagged teeth. Turn the page and a ravishing raptor unfurls and appears to fly off the edge of the book. The breathtaking pop-up book offers up-to-the-minute information on more than 50 dinosaur species. Six multi-layered spreads each feature one spectacular, large pop-up and several booklets of smaller pop-ups and text.

Sharks & Other Sea Monsters explore the prehistoric underwater world, where monsters like megalodon ruled the waves. Packed with exciting facts and more than 35 breathtakingly complex pop-ups, this incredible new volume will thrill everyone - from budding marine biologists and oceanographers to pop-up fans, collectors, and casual beachgoers.

Within Mega-Beasts lurk fearsome saber-toothed cats, bears taller than basketball hoops, and everyone's favorite Ice Age giant - the woolly mammoth. Prehistoric Yeti-like mammals, now-extinct birds, and giant flying lizards all come alive in a showcase featuring more than thirty-five astonishing pop-ups. A humbling close-up look at some startling mega-beasts that preceded us on planet Earth. (source: Amazon)
Encyclopedia Mythologica

First in Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart's Encyclopedia Mythologica series of books is Fairies and Magical Creatures. Through fanciful three-dimensional artwork and well-written narrative, Reinhart and Sabuda introduce the whimsical, mostly hidden world of fairies and their kin. Visiting mythical beings around the world, from household brownies to the merfolk lurking deep below the sea, this breathtaking 3-D book, brimming with facts and fancy, will hold humans of all ages in its spell.
More Sabuda Reinhart pop up books
Build a Sabuda Reinhart pop-up book collection!
Keep posted on their studio's new releases and book tour information
The Pop-up Studio NYC's blog
This is a blog run by the Sabuda-Reinhart pop-up studio in NYC. Expect to see fun pop-up, design-related updates and firsthand information on what the studios next projects are.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHow I came to know about the Kings of Pop-Up

I collect interesting children's books, a hobby my husband is only too happy to support, and first came upon Robert Sabuda's genius in the late 90s via his book The Twelve Days of Christmas : A Pop-Up Celebration. I was blown away by the complexity of his pop-ups -- never had I seen such delicate and exquisite paper sculpting! From then on I included him in my list of book-creators-to-watch so I kept tabs on all his releases. Matthew Reinhart's name and style eventually became familiar to me once he started assisting and eventually collaborating with Robert and since then, I've looked forward to all their masterpieces.
Signed Robert Sabuda books
Signed Matthew Reinhart books
The Best Contemporary Pop-up Books
And they're not just for kids!
If you're a pop-up book fan or just starting out with your collection, please check out my lens on the best not-just-for-kids pop-up books in the market today. It's chock-full of information about pop-up and movable books in general plus my take on which books are must-haves for your pop-up library.
Do you like Sabuda and Reinhart's Pop Up books?
I'd love to know what you think.
I would love to hear what you think of Robert & Matthew's work (and of this lens too).
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poutine
Dec 5, 2010 @ 4:14 pm | delete
- Very interesting artists.
Love those pop up books for kids.
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sheilamarie Nov 28, 2010 @ 7:08 pm | delete
- I love this kind of stuff! Thanks for making this lens! I've favorited it so I can come back again!
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theraggededge
Oct 28, 2010 @ 5:20 pm | delete
- Gorgeous! I loved pop-ups as a kid and I still love them now.
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nightcats
Mar 30, 2010 @ 11:40 am | delete
- Amazing, beautiful books. Thanks for sharing this wonderful talent with us.
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nightcats
Mar 30, 2010 @ 11:40 am | delete
- Amazing, beautiful books. Thanks for sharing this wonderful talent with us.
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