Customer Reviews

Teach Yourself Origami

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not only a carefully sorted collection of origami models, this is a book explicitly written for the aspiring paperfolder. Nice features include:

- very clear diagrams and instructions using standard notation

- can be used either as a self-study guide or as a teacher's aid

- nearly 27 simple models, 12 intermediate, 5 complex (the latter include 2 models by classic creater Fred Rohm, the "impossible" vase and waterwheel)

- each model introduces more advanced techniques and new folding maneuvers explained in detail, so just by following the book the reader learns not only _how_ each fold is done but also _why_ it is employed

Excepting a few models like the Elephant, this is not a book for fans of Montroll's "complex" work (like "Origami for the Enthusiast", "Origami Sea Life" and "Origami Sculptures"); on the other hand, it is longer and more didactic than "Easy Origami" and also has more original models. Beware: there's a classic book by R. Harbin reprinted with the same title.

Sometimes, I didn't understand the diagrams in other books.
So, It was frustrating, and I said "this is not for me".
I start with this book "Teach Yourself Origami".
And... Every project is a success. It's an excellent book. Very nice diagrams. Because Montroll teachs step by step. If you have this book you will learn origami.
You will learn something funny, and you will relax.
Start to fold!

I learned a lot from this book. Montroll follows a very logical sequence, with a very gradual increase in difficulty. Along the way, he not only explains how the folds are done, but why. My progress using this book was faster than I would have believed possible (I have succeeded in folding the elephant, and am about to attempt the bee with reasonable confidence.)
Highly recommended

I have several beginner to intermediate instructionals on origami. I haven't folded every model in any of them yet, but I have read through all of them and this one is absolutely the best of the bunch for the new-comer trying to get the basics.
This book does something I love a lot. Instead of having an introduction that teaches you all the basic folds and bases and then going into a chapter that features "easy" models that may or not use those folds/bases and throws them at you in random order, Montroll's book shows you a base, encourages you to practice that fold and even walks you through practicing it on some scrap paper and then shows you a model that you make using that base! And then you move onto the next base and repeat the process; practice walk-through and then a model made using that base.
If you read the instructions and fold every model you'll never suddenly come upon a supposedly "beginner" model that you have no clue how to fold because you've forgotten that one page from the intro.
Probably most importantly, Montroll's picks in this book are interesting to fold, even the ones I thought would be stupid and boring, like the Samurai helmet/hat and the table. I am primarily interested in animal models, so I originally planned to just skip anything in his book that wasn't an animal, but on a whim decided instead to follow his advice and fold everything in the book from page one on and I found that I had fun folding everything! The table was actually especially rewarding as it turns out since I made it from a larger sheet of paper and then was able to set the smaller Samurai helmet on top of it.
Even the simplest models, like the penguin which I had memorized after just one folding, are satisfying to fold over and over again.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a low-stress, user-friendly introduction to origami.

This book does a really great job demonstrating all the folds you will come across not only in Montroll's books but in any origami book. Then for each fold there is a project so you see how it is used in a typical figure. I never fully understood the double rabbit ear fold until I got this book.

Not only does it teach you all the folds, but there is a lot of really great projects to do. Every one I've done stands up on its own, even the birds.

John Montroll's origami books are my favorite- I prefer the more realistic looking results and love that there is never any cutting (for some reason that feels like cheating, plus it's nice to do something with only your hands, you know?).

I picked this book as my intro to origami. I can't be more pleased so far.

The book takes you through new models as it introduces you to new folds. Each new fold is used in a new model as well as new models incorporating already learned folds. Models get progressively more difficult, but the illustrations are clear and able to be followed with no struggle.

Standard origami notation for folds is used. Models are based on square paper, with differing color sides. I've been working through the models with larger size paper and found that works fine for the models so far.

Another positive is the reinforcing of some basic folds or starter folds. These folds are used in more complex origami models.

Rewarding introduction as well because the reader can immediately make something interesting with the earliest models. A handful of models in, the waterbomb base is given, and the walk through was spot on.

On a personal note, I've been able to share pictures of houses, boats, and more already. I feel confident to make several of the basic folds after just a short time.

Highly recommend this for beginners. Also, the price makes this an even better value.

I couldn't pass up a book on origami with "teach yourself" in the title. I was expecting an organized presentation of the basics, and that's just what I got. The author introduces the basic folds one at a tim, using simple models for practice, and then expects you to be able to use them by just referring to their names. That can make for some paging back and forth, but I have no problem with that. But I did wish that he included more verbal instructions for some of the steps. Studying the diagram alone just fdid do it for me, though I eventually figured out what I was supposed to do. I think this criticism could be applied to very origami book I've seen.

I'm am still at what the author calls the beginner level. The book contains 27 models at the beginner's level, 12 intermediate, and 5 advance,. Most of these are animals, with lots of birds.

The illustrations are clear and easy to understand; hand this product (and a pack of origami paper) to a bright, interested 7-year-old and watch origami sprout all over your house.

I purchased this book for my 9 year old son who has done some origami but wants to learn more. Based on other feedback, I stressed to him to start with the intro and go in the order of the steps as suggested. That has helped him a lot (though he of course just wanted to jump right into the shapes without the basic practice first).

My only wish for this book would be for it to be spiral bound. He has a hard time trying to keep the book open and have both hands on his paper as he is trying the steps.

I decided to learn a little origami for fun, and am glad I found this book. The book is divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced origami, with easy ones comprising half the book. Montroll introduces a fold or technique, and then follows up with a design or two using what was just covered. The diagrams are easy to follow, and a few tricker folds (e.g. petal fold) show intermediate steps to help visualization. About the only thing I did extra was pencil in page numbers besides the table of folds and bases for my own quick reference. This is the great thing about this book, it illustrates and names the techniques (e.g. minor miracle, blintz fold, squash fold, bird base, crimp fold, and so on) which lets me understand more complicated origami instructions (even though I might not be able to fold them just yet). After this book you too will be able to decipher more challenging projects, like ones from Lang.