Customer Reviews

Trail: Paper Poetry Pop-Up

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With "Trail: Paper Poetry", David Pelham has definitely outdone himself. The pop-ups in this book are created entirely in white and very reminiscent of Sabuda's Winter White collection. Each page follows a silvery trail through a giant garden full of flowers and foliage, a bird sitting on its nest, insect life in and around a hollow log, and a swampy landscape with what looks like an iguana (though it's difficult to identify the reptile without colour!). The fifth and final spread reveals that the trail has been left by a small and solitary snail. Pelham has cleverly used mirrored paper to create a puddle that reflects the underside of this final pop-up which is in full colour - the reward at the end of the journey. The simple story (more of a riddle) is told through zen-like rhyming couplets printed on spinning discs which were clearly intended to take a backseat to the complex geometries of Pelham's paper engineering. I was thoroughly impressed by his creations which both popped up and folded down (often the harder of the two) smoothly with no need for manual assistance. Because the pop-up spreads are unrelieved white, it can sometimes take a few seconds to fully understand and appreciate what you are looking at. I didn't find this to be a bad thing because it forced me to slow down and really savour the artistry on each page. Of all of Pelham's pop-up books to date, this one is head and shoulders above the rest and, dare I say it, in the same league as Robert Sabuda. If you plan on buying a copy for your child, do yourself a favour and buy a second one for yourself to enjoy after grubby fingers and careless hands have "enjoyed" the first one to bits.

Intricate white pop-up constructions accented by a silvery trail and occasional mylar pieces create a unique and magical book. The poem is read by turning a wheel on each page, which seems entirely in keeping with the tone of the illustrations and the content. Be prepared to spend some time turning the book to view each page from all sides, and only that way will you eventually see everything there is to see. It is a wonderful book to savor at leisure. It will be a treasured addition to any pop-up collectors bookshelf.

I am a big fan of pop-up books, and especially enjoy the simplicy of the ones done all in white (such as Robert Sabuda's), as they allow you to appreciate the skill of the artist. I love this book! It is a marvelous job of engineering and imagination. I took it to work and everyone went bananas.

Really a neat popup book. No colors; but the basic white still made the popups very pretty. Fascinating as to how such a book could be created. Made a nice Christmas gift for my teenage granddaughter. She thought it was really cool. I really like the paper poetry that went along with the details of each page!

This book is magnificent. It is beautiful, stunning, and so much fun! Art plus poetry -- that will delight anyone of any age. I have given it for multiple gifts, and I can't quit looking at it myself. Get one for yourself, and you will want more to share.

A beautiful book, definitely for adults. My 6 year old was bored.
Not that it was all white since he loves "Winter's Tale" by Sabuda & Reinhart. My students also love their "America the Beautiful" which is all white as well. The images are more sophisticated as is the content.
Not technically designed as well as David carter or Robert Sabuda's books

I gave this book to my 13 year old grandson for Christmas and it was a great success. The book so captured his interest that he wanted to stop opening presents to read it. It is fasinating how the poetry comes to life in the pop-ups. At the same time the pop-ups don't overwhelm. I think the use of the white paper was inspirational. I will watch for further work by this author Pelham.

exquisite masterpiece of paper engineering.....each page reveals new secrets, new amazements
not a childs popup book..a gem that unfolds incredible details of delicate flowering plants and patterns...subtle and sublime
from the cover to the last page
astonishing and beautiful

TRAIL is one of the most fabulous, intriguing pop-up books I have ever seen. How in the world does David Pelham do it? I wouldn't know where to begin. But I find myself drawn to the book and in awe every time I turn the pages. This book will turn you into a pop-up collector. Sophie

Love this book, a great gift for someone who appreciates creativity and imagination. I ended up buying 3 and gave it as birthday presents to everyone.