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

Esther K. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 18, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Esther K. Smith:

“Esther K. Smith is the Betty Crocker of bookmaking—and it’s a calorie-free hobby! Yay!”
—Simon Doonan, Creative Director, Barneys New York

“This ingenious, beautifully-designed book brings the miracle of paper structures to readers of all ages. Esther Smith brings her expertise as a book maker and paper folder extraordinaire to this delightful volume that is packed with projects and ideas.”
—Ellen Lupton, author of D.I.Y.: Design It Yourself and D.I.Y. Kids

“Making paper spectacles is one of the great tactile joys, and this stunning book brings that pleasure spectacularly to life.”
—Steven Heller, co-chair of the Designer As Author MFA Program, School of Visual Arts

About the Author

ESTHER K. SMITH, author of How to Make Books, collaborates with typographer Dikko Faust and other artists and writers at Purgatory Pie Press in New York City. Their handmade books have been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. Their artist books are housed in many rare book collections including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, and the National Gallery of Art. Smith teaches throughout the United States, Canada, and England, and every term at Cooper Union in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; Original edition (November 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307407098
• ISBN-13: 978-0307407092
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 7.4 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Esther K Smith stitches artist books and makes collaborative limited editions at Purgatory Pie Press with hand-typographer Dikko Faust and other artists and writers. Solo exhibits include Metropolitan Museum of Art and London's Victoria & Albert Museum. International collections include Museum of Modern Art, The National Gallery of Art, London's Tate, the Walker, and the Whitney Museum. Esther Smith teaches Artist Books at Cooper Union. She has been a visiting artist at Museum of Arts & Design and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. Her upcoming class is Artist Books: A Structural Approach April 30- May 4, 2012 at the Art Students League, New York City.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars instant bookmaking fun! December 28, 2008

By Silligirl

Format:Paperback

Once I brought this book home, I immediately started folding and cutting various pieces of paper and had a blast. I have many other bookbinding books, but this one brings a sense of joy and whimsy not found in the others. This is a useful book for kids and book artists alike!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Making Magic for Paper! December 27, 2011

By lar_student

Format:Paperback

I stumbled across this book and thoroughly enjoyed following along with the instructions in this book. The easy to follow instructions helped me to transform a regular sheet of paper into something truly magical. It was a delight to read through and then to make my own creations. The author encourages experimentation and exploration of the paper throughout the entire process.Of course, some parts were frustrating to make simply because I was unaccustomed to these designs. But that's to be expected, especially when trying to learn completely new things.

For those bored or for those who are serious about finding new ideas for greeting cards or personal projects, this book is highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of great projects December 25, 2012

By Eve Muller

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

You can't go wrong with Esther Smith and Purgatory Pie Press. My kids and I have spent hours pouring over her projects, and then hours more creating our own.