Customer Reviews

Paper Wonderland: 32 Terribly Cute Toys Ready to Cut, Fold & Build

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This book has 32 very cute (kawaii) paper toys that you can make which are perfect for a small cube shelf which needs some fun. Paper toys are literally toys you make out of paper, and they differ from origami in using scissors, tape or glue.

Each toy template is laid out on a heavily designed page, with a different and complementary design on the back side of the page. This is terrific because every facet of the toy has a design that leads to its cuteness, and it makes you feel like you're getting more for the money. (Unlike other paper toy books where you're flipping through and there's white on the back side of every page). Some of the photos were so-so, however, the toys ended up super cute every time. What's great about this title is that when you're done making the toys in the book (or if you don't want to destroy this tremendously cute book), the publisher includes an url to download the templates for free.

Paper Wonderland is divided into chapters which are themed out:
* Neighborhood: House, Kids, Umbrellas, Toaster (love it!), Camera
* Forest: Trees & Mushrooms, Gnome, Apple mobile, Bear, Owl, Bunny, Mustaches (a bit of a random insert)
* Ocean: Pirate Ghost, Whale, Octopus (karate-style!), Turtle, Treasure Box, Hermit Crab, Parachute Note
* Jungle: Leafy Fan, Elephant, Monkey, Alligator, Tiger, Giraffe, Airplane
* City: Burger, Skyline (very easy), Car, Bed with a Sleepy Sloth

The author (illustrator?) did a terrific job with this book -- I flipped through it for several days just looking at the designs before making any toys.

This book is perfect if you like little toys that are quick to make, or to give as a gift to a graphic designer.

The first thing you're going to think when you open Paper Wonderland is "I would really hate to cut up these pages." The book is presented more like an art book than a papercraft book - even the backs of the template pages have neat wallpaper-like patterns. The good news is you can download the templates and print your own copies, allowing you to make the toys while keeping your book intact - win/win!

Cover to cover, Paper Wonderland is ridiculously cute. The toys are skillfully and cleverly designed and each one has thorough instructions that make building fun and easy. In each chapter of the book takes you on an adventure through a different part of "Paper Wonderland," making the book feel like much more than just a collection of activities. In each chapter you'll meet new characters and make new friends, and the more toys you build, the more you'll feel like you're bringing a little paper world to life. Be careful, though, the toys definitely have a "just one more" quality and before you know it you'll be burning the midnight oil and running out of shelf space.

What really stands out about Paper Wonderland is the fantastic design. The designer/author, Michelle Romo, seems influenced by cute, Kawaii style Japanese art without seeming derivative. Her designs are creative and fresh and she has an amazing eye for color. Her attention to detail is also impeccable, and it all adds up to a very complete-feeling, beautifully presented book.

But most of all, the book is just really, really of fun. The toys themselves range in complexity, making it good source for family projects, even if the kids are different ages. The toys are all so neat you'll want to give them names and make up little stories about their lives. They become your little imaginary paper friends, and what's better than that??

All in all, Paper Wonderland is a superb papercraft book that I would recommend to anyone. I'm pretty sure this is Michelle Romo's first book, but I hope we'll be seeing a lot more from her in the future.

My kids just love it! The figures are amazing and easy to make. We can spend hours playing and making stories with this paper toys

This book is absolutely the most adorable thing ever. You need it! Make these little paper toys to stick all over your desk at work or make them with some children. The best thing ever.