Most pop-up books are ostensibly written for children, but no matter what your age it's hard to resist pulling those tabs and opening all the little doors. The books below are not only irresistible, but the stories and art fully engage you no matter what your age.
by Marion Bataille
This book is a beautiful work of art. The letters don't just pop-up, they transform, they move. This book is an interactive delight.
illustrated by David A. Carter
Find the one red dot that is hidden on each page. The colors, the flaps, the graphics — this book is a feast for the eyes. Children and adults will both find something to love about this book.
by Kyle Olmon, illustrated by Tracy Sabin
If you are a castle lover you must have this book... I don't care how old you are, this book is great. This book is a Sabuda book, yes the king of pop-up books. I love the stained glass windows in one of the displays.
by Kees Moerbeek
GOOD EVENING!!! Seven of Alfred Hitchcock's famous films are each given a spread in the book. Each spread contains brief plot summary and a side flap that features Hitchcock's trademark cameo appearance in each film. Must-have for the Hitchcock fan.
illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Recipient of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award, this gem of a book is an engineering marvel. Full of flaps and tabs that bring the nursery rhyme to life.
by Robyn Johnson
Oh, this book is a doll lover's delight. There's pop-up period dollhouse, secret letters and hidden pictures. Meet Kristen, Hattie and Albert and Lucinda who all inhabit a magical series of homes. This book is also loaded with doll lore and historical details. A treat for young and older doll lovers.
by Arthur Yorinks, Maurice Sendak, Matthew Reinhart
Christy Yee from Honolulu, HI says:
Unwavering in his attempts to find Mommy in the face of monsters, ghoulies and beasts, the central character ("Baby!") is a true Sendak hero. Anyone who loves Sendak's Nutshell Kids, Rosie, or Max will find Baby's quest hilarious.
illustrated by Matthew Reinhart, Lewis Carroll
Christy Yee from Honolulu, HI says:
My fifth-graders LOVE this book. But it only gets put on the shelf midway through the year, because they need to earn my trust before they can explore this intricate, well-crafted pop-up masterpiece. It includes beautiful cut-out pop-ups (which fold back in neatly, a definite plus for elementary hands), as well as mini pull-put booklets that provide little bonus pockets of information and trivia. A definite favorite of mine — and theirs. :)
by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Robert Sabuda
Peter from Flashlight Worthy says:
Be careful! When you open this book you'll feel like you fell down the rabbit hole — the images are that vibrant and the cleverness of the pop-ups that ingenious. Truly a pop-up that must be seen to be believed.
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. more...
About Leah Smith
Leah lives near Washington D.C. and is an obsessive list maker. She loves lists so much that she creates topical bibliographies -- for fun. She also collects volvelles, nutcrackers, unusual names and map hankies. She talks about books and many other things on her blog, Fig Newtons and Scotch.
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