Pop-up Books

The first pop-up books were designed for adults. No that is not what I mean. They were more educational. The earliest was a manuscript by Ramon Llull in 1306. Ramon made an astrological book and used a moving disc to help discuss his theories. The rotating disc is called a volvelle and was used a lot to teach anatomy, tell fortunes and to make predictions. Around 1546 paper flaps became popular. Medical books started using flaps to show the body. While landscaping books by Capability Brown made use of flaps to show before and after pictures of landscape designs.

It wasn't until many years later in the 18th century when similar techniques started being used for children's books. Some of the best early pop-up books were by Raphael Tuck and a little later by Ernest Nister.

Lothar Meggendorfer was know to have made the most complex pop-up books. Being the most complex, they also were the most fragile. Pulling the tabs in his books would make the pictures practically come to life. The pictures would dance and move in complex ways. Today his original books are very valuable. Every year the best pop-up book gets an award named after Meggendorfer.

Today's pop-up books have come a long way from simple rotating discs and pull tabs. Now they are actually designed by paper engineers. The current artists designing pop-up books are truly talented. I'm simply amazed at the detail in my kids pop-up books. They are built with stronger paper, but you still need to be somewhat gentle. The amount of folding is much more similar to origami now. Before a two dimensional little man might pop out. But, today they are paper sculptures that form with each turn of the page.
I am particularly impressed with the books by Robert Sabuda and Mathew Reinhart. The dinosaurs in their Encyclopedia Prehistorica practically come to life. The book also includes lots of great information about the dinosaurs. Their books completely keep my sons attention from beginning to end. We have quite a few books by this great pair and whenever friends come by they are amazed at the books as well.