Paper Birds That Fly [Paperback]

Norman Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

"With the help of this book . . . it is possible to create realistic-looking birds that . . . actually fly . . . will be snapped up by paper-airplane builders, since these models resemble them closely in purpose and technique, but add a new and colorful dimension to the genre. . . . directions for folding, cutting, gluing, and coloring are accompanied by line drawings . . . they are fairly easy to follow."--School Library Journal. 96 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up--With the help of this book, and using nothing more glamorous or exotic than plain white paper, pencil, scissors or craft knife, markers, glue stick, ruler, and a few circular patterns, it is possible to create realistic-looking birds that, when built to exact specifications, actually fly. (The author gives hints for those truly interested in flying the models and warns that it takes experimentation and patience.) This book will be snapped up by paper-airplane builders, since these models resemble them closely in purpose and technique, but add a new and colorful dimension to the genre. The directions for folding, cutting, gluing, and coloring are accompanied by line drawings, which can sometimes be slightly confusing because they aren't to scale, but by and large, they are fairly easy to follow. However, in a few instances one or the other is omitted and a little extrapolation is necessary to complete a step. Because the introduction consists of a relatively understandable explanation of the physics of bird flight, this book could also be used for ideas for an attractive and inexpensive science project. This colorful title is sure to find an audience.

Carrie Schadle, New York Public Library

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The projects in each of these books use the techniques of origami for making paper figures although they break the rules of origami with their use of glue in construction. Schmidt has turned his attention from airplanes (Super Paper Airplanes, LJ 11/1/95) to birds that fly, using the paper airplane flight principle. The birds are realistic representations of primarily North American birds and can be flown or made into mobiles. British artist David Swinton's paper sculptures are more complex, artistic figures such as flowers, human figures, and a fiery dragon's head. Projects in both books have well-illustrated instructions and lists of materials
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (June 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1895569117
• ISBN-13: 978-1895569117
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,375,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent craft projects for air-minded or bird-loving kids, May 11, 2009

By 

James D. Pollard "polymath wannabe" (Hanahan, SC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paper Birds That Fly (Paperback)

I've made a couple of the designs from this book. They really do fly, if built carefully!

The models are built up from folded modules made out of cut up pieces of 8.5" by 11" paper. Some fairly precise measurements and cuts are called for, so I'm guessing the target age would be 9 or later.

I had the best results with a glue stick as the adhesive.

If you take the time to color the models with, say felt-tip markers, as recommended, they really come alive. My robin flies clear across the room!