Book Description

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is Robert Sabuda's most amazing creation ever, featuring stunning pop-ups illustrated in John Tenniel's classic style. The text is faithful to Lewis Carroll's original story, and special effects like a Victorian peep show, multifaceted foil, and tactile elements make this a pop-up to read and admire again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

fabulous addition to your Sabuda collection
Once you have one of his pop-up books, you will be drawn willy-nilly to buy all of the rest. This is not his most sublime effort on two fronts. The art work is in the exact style of the original, so while it is stunning and beautiful, I think it is not as lovely as his absolutely original imaginings. A few of the pop-up effects such as the little baby changing to a pig face(found in one of the mini books within a book) don't work very well, since only the pig is visible unless you go thro contortions to peek inside before ever opening that page. The same with the scene of painting the roses red.

While a great deal of the original text has been abridged, only a couple of the nonsense rhymes that made the original unabridged alice one of my childhoods read aloud favorites has been included.

Overall, the pop up engineering is still stunning, to see Alice's face inside the White Rabbits home with her arms sticking out windows, and her feet out the chimney and front door, the mad hatters tea party, and of course, the very first telescopic view of her fall down the rabbit hole are not to be missed! My 3 1/2 year old sits thro 90% of the story just as long as he can enjoy the pop-ups again and again!

Another Sabuda masterpiece.
As a huge fan of Sabuda's WIZARD OF OZ, I grabbed ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND as soon as I saw it in the store, and it didn't disappoint at all.

The book is similar in design to WIZARD OF OZ, has several eye-popping pages that literally jump out at you and contains a faithful abridgement of Lewis Carroll's classic text.

The first page, featuring the forest where Alice first encounters the White Rabbit, is glorious, and Sabuda has imagined a remarkable way to give readers a look "down the rabbit hole."

This one's as good as THE WIZARD OF OZ, and it's going to be a great gift for all my cousins this holiday season.

This is the MOTHER of all pop-up books EVER!
I've never written a review of any book before, but am compelled to do so now. (I'm not a very good writer!)

I've been collecting pop-ups for a long time, and this is the Pop-Up to End All Pop-Ups!

This book exceeds all my expectations of any Pop-Up. Innovative, top quality, surprise after surprise, includes full story, just superb!

I cannot give this book enough stars. If 5 is the highest, I give this book a 15! You will not be dissappointed!

AMAZING!!!
There is a REASON that reviewers of Robert Sabuda's "Alice in Wonderland" are AMAZED. This is NOT just another "pop-up book." THIS is a WORK OF ART!!

Robert Sabuda's work is MAGICAL as you literally peer down the rabbit hole. Another page shows Alice in the house; Alice at the tea party; the Cheshire Cat; the deck of cards....

This book can be great to show young babies as it will spark their curiosity, but you have to just have them look at it and keep it out of reach as young toddlers would probably rip the art work. If you know a young boy or girl (ages 4 and up) or a young teenager or anyone who appreciates illustrative art - this is the book to buy.

My mother bought this book for me plus one for her good friend and we both loved it!

Robert Sabuda's "Wizard of OZ" was great....this might be even better!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: A Pop-up book
Absolutely the best pop-up book I have ever seen. A collectible for sure. Not only do you have large pop-ups on each page, but you have smaller multiple ones on the pages, too!! Beautiful color and excitment for everyone, adults included!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication of L. FrankBaum's The Wizard of Oz,master paper engineer Robert Sabuda has created a pop-up version of Dorothy'sadventures in Oz that fans will find hard to resist. Modeling his depictions ofDorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the rest after W. W. Denslow'soriginal art, Sabuda adds a third dimension that would have rockedDenslow's--and Baum's--world. A rapidly spinning cyclone actually casts a breezeover the startled reader's face. Glorious red poppies wave seductively in afield. And the Emerald City positively glitters with green, especially whenyoung readers try on the special tinted "Spectacles for You" provided in apocket on the page. The abridged text, provided in minibooklets set onto eachpage, covers enough basics for the Oz novice, but we recommend a read-aloud ofthe original, as well, for all the glory and detail of Baum's fantastic tale.Sabuda's homage to the classic is truly spectacular; even purists will gasp indelight at the sight of the humbug wizard floating away in his shiny green,gold, and blue hot-air balloon. This great introduction to the story of Ozdoubles as a fun collector's item. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (60)

There's no place like a Robert Sabuda pop-up!
I just have to disagree with the folks who say this is not a book for children...this is THE book for children! If you are looking for a book to give this holiday season that rates 100% on the "oooh-ahhhh!" meter, this is the one. Any child, in particular a reluctant reader, will be dazzled and fascinated by the Emerald City jumping to life in the middle of the book, the whirling balloon and spinning tornado. The artwork warrants accolades even without the magnificent engineering, and there is enough text to make this pop-up perfect for older kids as well. This book does great honor to the Wonderful Wizard, and will be as treasured in your home as a pair of ruby slippers. Whether or not this book actually survives the twister of children's handling, you'd be a real wicked witch not to share it with your favorite munchkin.

"Magical experience"
I collect children's books that are "special" and added this book to my collection as one of my favorites! The experience of looking through the pop-ups can only be described as a "magical experience". The illustrations are done in a nostalgic format with vivid colors. The first page really grabbed me...when you open it up a tornato rises up in a whirling motion and goes completely off of the page. There is fine detail (look under the house in "Munchkinland" and you will actually see the wicked witches feet underneath). Emerald City pops up and actually glitters before your eyes (you would swear it was really made of emeralds)! Oz's hot air balloon rises out of one page and spins in suspension. This is more of a collector book and I would not recommend putting it in the hands of a young child to do with as he/she pleases! It is just too beautiful! But, you would definately have fun viewing/reading the book to a young child...and a child of seven or eight would probably be old enough to care for it! There are also several small pop-ups within the sections you open up and read that are quite charming! There is quite alot of story to read within small sections of the pages, or within flaps that open up. But; if you are a collector of "Oz" memorabilia, or love creative pop-up books... this book would be a great addition to your family!

Spectacular Pop-Ups Illustrate A Timeless Classic!
Robert Sabuda is one of my favorite illustrators and certainly the most renowned pop-up book artist and paper engineer working today. Combine Sabuda's entrancing three dimensional illustrations with Frank Baum's glorious story about Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Toto and their amazing adventures in the Land of Oz and you have pure magic!

The pop-up illustrations are quite intricate, with artwork that's faithful to W. W. Denslow's original illustrations. Sabuda works in a fresh, new style here using prints made from cut linoleum blocks. He brings the drawings to life in a way that will enchant children and adults alike. Each page contains a large pop-up and a small booklet which tells part of the story. And each mini-book contains small pop-ups too. There's a cyclone that really twists, a wizard's balloon that sails into the sky, holographic foil creates a true, sparkling Emerald City made even greener with the included green glasses for the reader

The text is slightly abridged so I would suggest that true "Wizard of Oz" fans include an unabridged copy in their library. I recently bought a copy for my cousin's little girl. She calls it her "magic book" and can't seem to put it down. This very special edition, published to commemorate the book's 100th Anniversary, is well worth the price and will surely find a place of honor on your bookshelf. It is spectacular!
JANA

WOW!
This is impressive! Something really great for Wizard of Oz enthusiasts to keep for years. Don't buy it intending it for small children to handle independently, though. The amazing detail is somewhat fragile. But don't be afraid to get it and hang onto it until they're old enough to be careful with it. It's really incredible!

The Best Pop up book ever!
Hey buy this one for your young friends and read it with them and share the 3-D glasses! Its wonderful you gotta see it to belive it! I am one happy reader!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every Robert Sabuda pop-up is a marvel, but America the Beautiful is singularly remarkable for its inspired interpretation of the classic American anthem. Each page presents a magnificent pop-up featuring a line from the first (and best known) verse of "America the Beautiful." Sabuda has included the song in its entirety, featuring mini pop-ups, in a small booklet on the final page. Beginning with the Golden Gate Bridge, and ending with a spectacularly regal Statue of Liberty, Sabuda's America the Beautiful is a lovely keepsake that also serves as a patriotic primer for teaching young ones about America. --Daphne Durham

Amazon.com's The Significant Seven
Master paper engineer Robert Sabuda answers the seven questions we ask every author.

Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?

A: Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. I specifically remember feeling as if I'd become a grown-up reader because many of the pages did not have pictures.

Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?

A: The Stand by Stephen King
Madonna's Greatest Hits
Strangers with Candy: Season One

Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?

A: That I'd be finishing a book project on time.

Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.

A: I live in New York City, so anyplace that's quiet.

Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

A: "Robert Sabuda--Bookmaker."

Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?

A: Benjamin Franklin

Q: If you could have one superpower what would it be?

A: Invisibility

... Read more

Amazon.com

This elaborate pop-up book adds a spectacular twist to Mother Goose's well-loved rhymes. Paper artist Robert Sabuda, preeminent patriarch of modern pop-up engineering, brings yet another explosion of motion and color to his latest masterpiece. Attributing animal personalities to nursery-rhyme characters, he surprises young readers time and again. In "Jack Be Nimble," for example, the fellow leaping lithely over a candlestick is none other than a grasshopper. And the Man in the Moon is seen from a startling perspective: he has decidedly alien features! Sabuda's quirky take on traditional rhymes, combined with his fantastic folding, moving, spinning paper sculptures, will have pop-up fanciers and Mother Goose devotees clamoring for more. Sturdier than most pop-ups, these three-dimensional constructions are nonetheless vulnerable to tiny grabbing hands. At his best, Sabuda creates breathtaking displays of pop-up craftsmanship, as in the "four and twenty blackbirds" bursting rowdily out of a pie, mirrored sunglasses on every one. At his worst, he creates slightly bewildering beings, such as the star-shaped Jill in "Jack and Jill" tumbling down a mysterious edifice. He may occasionally (and understandably--what a fun job!) get carried away with his engineering feats. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A bit disappointing
While I loved the conceptual design of the book, I found the quality of the paper and printing to be poor. The first time I -an adult- tried to open the 4 and 20 blackbirds page (very gingerly), I managed to rip it in one place. This just should not happen for a children's book!! Perhaps the type of paper used is too rigid for the movement. Colors were not as vibrant on the inside of the book, either.

Poppingly good
This is the first Sabuda book I got. It boggled my little mind. Each display is incredibly clever. I have tried to create my own pop-ups and some of the ideas Sabuda has come up with and the 'paper engineering' behind them are incredibly creative.

I'd recommend this book to kids over 5 and their parents.

glorious, sometimes busy, pop-up classic
I was thrilled to find that genius paper engineer Sabuda was tackling these classic rhymes, and the book lives up to expectations. The artist's work is, as always, creative and fun.

There are six two-page spreads, each with a large central figure (one of Bo-peep's sheep, Miss Muffet's spider, a peacock, the hickory dickory clock, Mr. and Mrs. Sprat, and a pie bursting with blackbirds) and several smaller rhyme fold-outs. This set-up makes the book a little "busy" in my opinion, but our two-year old adores it, so what's my aesthetic sensibility matter? The material is heavy paper, and it's held up well to our toddler's exploration. Some of the mechanisms are a little confusing and/or delicate, but nothing especially difficult. Nice, bright colors are employed for the animal characters used to illustrate these tales, usually to comic effect.

This is a lovely book for children, and would likely make a good first pop-up.

The best baby gift
This book was a gift to my daughter when she was born. We have read it to her ever since then and she adores it! If she is cranky, she will get quiet when she sees us reach for the book. The illustrations are captivating, to say the least.

A Beautiful, Wonderful Book
I recently purchased this book for my grandchildren after seeing a friend's copy. They absolutely love it and have to "read" the "book" at least twice a day. It is wonderfully done and my 2 year old grandson's eyes grow big as he watches they pages pop up. I plan to purchase another and hope Mr. Sabuda continues his art. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Yum! This delicious counting book offers much more than the numbers one to ten. Each page is a feast of sweet, sugary treats--coconut kisses, peanut-butter cookies, Linzer hearts, and more are carefully concocted and counted by mouse chefs. The tempting desserts are made all the more delectable by Robert Sabuda's brilliant pop-up constructions that leap from the pages, practically into your salivating mouth. Aesthetes will swoon at the magical beauty of this exquisite book, and the engineers in the crowd will wonder, "How did he do that?" Sabuda's astounding creations may be too delicate for excessive youthful probing, but the sing-song rhyme, counting exercises, and joyous paper explosions of confectionery delights make this a wondrous read-aloud for the sweet-toothed of all ages. (Ages 3 and up) ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Wow!
This is an amazing pop-up! It isn't for little fingers though. Lots of tantalizing papers to pull! However, seated on your lap, your child will adore the book. Mr. Sabuda has fabulous books, they are fantastic to look at. I have his butterly book also, and it is just as engaging.
You will love to count cookies with your little one!

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
This is a wonderful book for children of all ages. The pop-ups are fun and fanciful and will make you ooh and aah. I dare any adult to look at it and not be thrilled. The paper engineering is remarkable and you will stay awake at nights wondering how the artist could make such wonders. This is in full color as opposed to Sabuda's other works mainly done in white. I would make sure small hands are not allowed to get too friendly with this book so as to keep it functional.

disappointed
This book is a let down. The pop-ups are not pretty at all. Everything seems to be the same color.

Excellent Pop Up Book
Toddler's love pop-up books so you cannot really go wrong with this book. Sometimes, however, the theatrics detract from a book's goal -- in this case to teach little guys and gals to count. Two other excellent books that I'd also like to recommend are "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss and "One, Two, Three: This Book's for Me" by Stuart Samuel.

Amazing pop-up
We got this book as a Christmas gift last year. This pop-up book is like no other that I have seen. The children learn to count as they watch the paper come alive. The rhymes are easy to learn and my 3 year old daughter loves to say them as she turns the pages. Note: She is a very careful child, many children would tear the book as it is kind of delicate. She also counts the cookies and the hiding mice on each page. The colors are explosive and even I like reading this book over and over. I cannot even imagine how he gets paper to do the things that they do... cookies rotate, pinwheels rise out of the page and twirl, and a life sized gingerbread house magically climbs out of the book. I would highly recommend this book as long as they will not handle the book roughly. Better yet, read it with them and teach them to be gentle. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the gorgeous, interactive ABC Disney: An Alphabet Pop-Up,Ais for Ariel,B is for Bambi, and C isfor Cinderella. And whobetter than Robert Sabuda to pull off this ambitious tribute to Disney animation? A veritable king in the world of pop-up books, he has never missed a new Disney animated feature film release. "Walt Disney films were magic to me and my siblings when we were kids," says Sabuda. "The films had stories, real stories that were completely believable. To the young artist growing inside of me they were visually lyrical and achingly beautiful." Creator of the holiday pop-up favorites A Christmas Alphabet, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Cookie Count, Sabuda infuses life and motion into each beloved character with his ever elegant, truly astounding paper tricks. A sequence of colorful, lift-up squares, each marked with a letter from A to Z, cleverly conceals the spring-loaded Disney crew: Hercules flexes mightily when you lift the H square, Iago flaps his wings, Jiminy Cricket tips his hat cheerily, and Kaa the python slithers beneath the K. Disney fans young and old will revel in this magnificent tribute to the characters loved the world round and Sabuda fans will welcome another classic from the pop-up master.(Click tosee Ariel in action! Copyright 1998 Disney Enterprises, Inc.) (All ages) --Karin Snelson

... Read more

Reviews (5)

This book is extraordinary for both children and adults
Adults will love this book both because it will remind them of the many characters with whom they grew up, and for the incredible science of Robert Sabuda's "paper engineering".Children will delight in the wonder of the "pop up". Not only do they love the recent and classic Disney characters, but thrill to know that they can identify the first letters of those characters' names!

Another movable masterpiece from Mr. Sabuda!
The House of Mouse finally meets a master movable book artist and the results are more dazzling than the Electric Parade along Main Street -- or even more spectacular than a synchronized fireworks display in the Orlando, Florida skies. What could have been a run-of-the-mill volume if executed by someone else, Robert Sabuda's latest masterpiece celebrates over 60 years of movie magic with paper, paint and a passion for cutting and folding. Instead of simply replicating the characters and making them move, Mr. Sabuda infuses them with his unique style and sense of humor. (See Pinocchio get cross-eyed as he watches his own nose grow longer! Gepetto would have been proud.) Julie Taymor (surprisingly with the blessings of the formula-bound Disney folks) impressed the critics and the crowds with "The Lion King" on Broadway. Now, Mr. Sabuda likewise has proven to our pop-up publishing planet that creativity and commerce need not be exclusive of each other. Bravo, Robert! (But where is Sebastian? I can't wait for the sequel. A is for Aladdin, B is for Belle, C is for Chip...) Note: This review has been published in the Movable Book Society's newsletter, Movable Stationery Vol. 7 No. 1 February 1999

You would swear it is an animation!!
This book captures the personality of the Disney Characters. You feel as if you are watching a movie with the way these pop-ups come to life.

A Collector's Must Have
Once you open this book, you will fall in love with the clever paper animations, which bring the characters to life almost as well as the movies do!! Some stretches and one or two obscure characters, but this is a must-have for any Disney collector or book lover!!

Amazing!
A wonderful book for childeren to enjoy. They all know these characters so they will love learning the ABC's this way ... Read more

Amazon.com

The ingenious Robert Sabuda returns for yet another inspired pop-upbook, a follow-up to The 12 Daysof Christmas and TheChristmas Alphabet, that retells Clement Clarke Moore's classic yuletiderhyme.

Sabuda remains a master of the medium, constructing a series of varied andwell-engineered scenes: Santa pops in and out of the chimney, beds fold out, awindow shade rises and falls, and, in a clever nod to Moore'snot-a-creature-was-stirring text, it's a family of mice who are receivingSanta's nighttime visit. A pull-out tab even lets readers interact, when Santa'ssleigh glides out on the clouds and over an intricately realized village. It'shard to pick a favorite scene here, but you can bet that kids will love thebook's pop de résistance, in which Santa's lead reindeer nearly fly rightup your nose (if they don't knock you out of your chair first).

The book's first-rate production and lively pop-ups are enough to recommend it,but Sabuda goes one better by showing the thoughtful restraint to make most ofthe pop-ups almost entirely white. A few accents of color catch your eye(Santa's red suit and silver pipe), but--as befits such a dynamic book--thevisual focus stays on the action. (All ages) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Captivating Pop-Up Book!
"The Night Before Christmas," is Mr. Sabuda's pop-up version of Clement Clarke Moore's classic tale of Santa's visit on Christmas Eve. The phrasing has been altered; still the story is the same, except mice play the human roles. It is a delightful rendition that will appeal to both the young and old alike.

Different from any other pop-up book I've seen, the backgrounds in Mr. Sabuda's books are generally solid in nature with white pop-up's that are often accented with color. This makes a wonderful contrast of positive and negative space that is unusual, and unexpected yet, striking. In this book, the artist has added more color to the pop-ups than in his earlier holiday works. Creatively conceived, the detailed execution of the pop-ups is what REALLY captures the viewer's attention, and carries this book. They are SO fantastic I have to continually remind myself it is only paper. For instance, when Santa calls out to the reindeer, "No, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! . . ." all eight reindeer literally fly off the page in sleigh formation with Santa trailing behind. It's brilliant! In addition, the finale is gorgeous! It is nearly an all-white scene with Santa in his sleigh, bidding adieu to a quaint little neighborhood down below. The backdrop displays a snow-capped mountain with a pull-tab that allows the viewer to draw Santa and his reindeer across the sky, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight."

"The Night Before Christmas," is a hardbound book that measures 8 ¼" x 8 ¼" x 1 ½". Highly imaginative, both conceptually and artistically this book will make a valued addition to any Christmas collection. CAREFUL, young one's will be mesmerized by the pop-up action, and will want to grab. Probably best for children four-years and up.

A treadure
A got started on collecting pop-up books when I encountered a book by Robert Sabuda called "Twelve days of Christmas". It was an astounding book, quite unusual in that it was mostly white. The engineering was amazing. That book led me to buy and collect pop books of which Robert Sabuda's books occupy a high place indeed. His work stands out due to its complexity and yet has the ability to surprise and delight. Each popup in this book is nigh near what is impossible to do out of paper and yet he has done it. The last scene with the little village spread out in a snowy wonderland is a treasure. I will have to buy an another book, just so I can put one away and have one to look at admire and play.

A beautiful book!
This book is a work of art and amazing design!! The pop-ups are like nothing I've ever seen. A great gift for any book lover or art collector.

A Christmas Classic
I thought this would be a fun way to share "The Night Before Christmas" poem with my 9-year old. The folks who were fascinated by the engineering and awed by the complexity of the pop-ups were my husband and I! This is a keeper, and a great classic Christmas present to give to adults with a sense of whimsy.

a little disappointing
We bought this book for xmas for my 6 year old. She thought it was neat the way the pictures popped out, but some of the stuff was so glued and folded that the image would get stuck and not pop like it should. We struggled trying to get Santa and the reindeers to circle the village in the last few pages. It was frustrating that not every image worked like it should. Otherwise it was a decent xmas book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You'll never look at beetles the same way again. When masterful paperengineer Robert Sabuda works his pop-up magic, you're sure to find beauty andwonder in the thorniest of creatures. About 350,000 kinds of beetles creepacross the surface of our world, but don't worry, Sabuda and cocreator MatthewReinhart only include a few here, including dung scarabs (move the pages to"roll" the dung!) and the giant horned Hercules beetle of Central and SouthAmerica. The colorful, metallic exoskeletons explode to life with everywell-designed page, causing even the most beetle-phobic to marvel at theirintricate anatomy. Funny, accessible sidebars ("Don't talk with your mandiblesfull") are sure to engage young naturalists in search of factoids about theeclectic, leggy group Coleoptera. To top it all off, each pop-up book comes witha paper frame with a plastic-encased, paper-engineered specimen ofPhalacrognathus muelleri, the Australian stag beetle. (Beetles were notharmed in the making of this book.) A wonderful gift for the young naturalist onyour list! (The YoungNaturalist's Pop-Up Handbook of Butterflies is also quite fetching.)(Ages 6 to 10) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Beautiful Illustrations and good learning too!
This is an exceptionally beautifully illustrated book. It holds the interest of my 6 yr and 3 yr sons. The pop-ups work well and with different textures the children can learn with the sense of touch as well as sight. We love this book

good GIFT Idea..."Butterflies:fluttering flowers; moths:all
in the family; Life cycle: look at how you've grown; behaviour; defense: poisons, points and pretenders; diversity: all the colors of the rainbow"!

LESS APPROPRIATE words are sometimes better. I will therefore apply the K.I.S.S. ("keep it simple, stupid/silly) principle with regard to my review for this lovely book--
"Young Naturalist's pop-up Handbook: BUTTERFLIES" will make both your heart and soul "FLUTTER!!!"

My daughter
My daughter loves this book,not just because I love it. It came with a framed paper butterfly she absolutely loved. When I was reading it to her she was asking questions and was so into the book and she learned all about butterflies.

'Pop' Full of surprises
My soon to be four year old son (and Mommy) LOVES this pop up book. It is a wonderful work of art and informative! Two BIG thumbs up on this one!

Excellent, Beautiful, Fun
My five year old budding naturalist loved it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautiful. No -- Dazzling!
This is a simply gorgeous pop-up rendition of the familiar work. It is an instant classic in my house. My children (and I) are mesmerized by every single page.

Rekindle a sense of wonder
I don't much like Christmas any more. It mostly makes me crabby and wrinkled, like an old person, just at a time when I would most want to feel ebullient and charitible. Happily, there are moments each year when I feel young again and possessed of a wide-eyed sense of wonder. Reading Robert Sabudas pop-ups is one of them. This year, we are blessed with a new addition to Mr. Sabuda's Christmas series, The Night Before Christmas. I make this suggestion to all ye of Christmas weariness. First, buy The Night Before Christmas. Second, wait until you are alone to read it (you can share with children later--that's fun, too). Third, open the book to the the "reindeer" page, hold on to your socks, and prepare to be utterly charmed. It'll make a believer of you. Don't be surprised if you find yourself leaving milk and cookies out for the big guy this year! And, perhaps, believing in Angels bearing glad tidings.

More than 5 stars
Amazing. Fun. Inspiring. Curious. Dazzling. Great for the child in us all! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful, captivating, delightful, bright & colorful
I got this book at a used book store.The baby had pulled out a number of books and this was the one she was most drawn to.It is bright,itinvolves the child,I can't say enough good things about this book.Ireally like it as a pop up book because of its simplicity,there are notabs to pull and break,or rubber bands to break.It is simple anddelightful. ... Read more

Book Description

Small and frail, Tutankhamen was an all but ignored member of the royal family of the great Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III. At the school of the menoi, or tutors, he did not excel at physical activities with the other royal princes. Keeping to himself, he observed and admired the work of his father's craftsmen, who built glorious temples to Egypt's many gods. Someday he too would find a gift for those gods.

Then Amenhotep III died and the unpopular reign of Tutankhamen's brother ended in mystery. Who now would be pharaoh? Could it be a boy of only ten?

As he did with the life of Saint Valentine (Atheneum, 1992), Robert Sabuda combines simple text with artwork true to the historical period in which Tutankhamen lived. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Faith Dungca: GREAT BIOGRAPHICAL PICTURE BOOK
If you want to know about King Tutankamen's life and how he became king you have to read this wonderful picture book. This book will motivate you and inform you about King Tutankahmen.
In the teacher's notes at the end of the book, it states that Tut was killed at the age of 19 or 20 from a severe head injury, which is speculated to be either from a hunting accident or an intentional assignation. So the story does not go as far as his death, but it is mentioned in the endnote.

Since most of what people know of King Tut was of the riches found in his tomb, this book gives a different perspective of the important thing that King Tut did for his people. I think children will enjoy reading of a child King, and they will like the storytelling being in the time frame of before his rule and during his rule.

The artwork is bold and bright. There is a lot to look at and the illustrations certainly held my interest.

Partial biography of King Tut--great story and artwork!
The book opens when Tutankhamen was a very young and sickly child. The author explains that this youngest son attended school but was unable to participate in very physical games due to his fragility. While Tut walked to his school he admired the temples, appreciated the fine art work which glorified the numerous Egyptian Gods and his spirituality grew. In the beginning of the story, his father, Amenhotep III was Pharaoh. Upon the death of his father (which is not really dealt with or discussed enough),Tut's older brother, Amenhotep IV, took over the throne. Under his rule, he banned worship of all God's except for the Sun God. Temples and artwork were destroyed and Tut was upset about this, as it seems was most of Egypt. Soon he was assassinated and Tut took over at the age of 9 or 10. The focus of the story is that Tut then restored the right of the people to worship multiple Gods and work began to restore and rebuild temples to all of the Gods. Tut seems to have been appreciated for this and his gift to the people was this act. The story ends there, with Tut still alive, young, and ruling Egypt.

In the teacher's notes at the end of the book, it states that Tut was killed at the age of 19 or 20 from a severe head injury, which is speculated to be either from a hunting accident or an intentional assignation. So the story does not go as far as his death, but it is mentioned in the endnote.

Since most of what people know of King Tut was of the riches found in his tomb, this book gives a different perspective of the important thing that King Tut did for his people. I think children will enjoy reading of a child King, and they will like the storytelling being in the time frame of before his rule and during his rule.

The artwork is bold and bright. The swirls and bold lines remind me of stained glass windows. There is a lot to look at and the illustrations certainly held our interest.

My 6 year-old son enjoyed this story as an accompaniment to learning about Ancient Egypt. The story about a young boy that became King was a refreshing change from the usual spin and perspective found in most books, which can be dry or portraying Egyptians as just mummies and the idea that Egypt is just desert and pyramids.

Awesome!
This book will teach you about King Tutankamen's life and how he became king. This book will excite you and tells you about Tutankahmen. If you want to know about Tutankamen, read this awesome book ... Read more

Book Description

Mi Fei is a humble painter of scrolls. Between each day's sunrise and sunset, he paints scenes of the gods and their festivals' portraits of heroes and their deeds. Although the scrolls bring him fame, Mi Fei is content to live in his village, surrounded by people he loves.

But one day a messenger enters the village with terrible news: the dragon Sui Jen has awakened from its hundred years' sleep and is destroying everything in its path. Someone must find a way to return Sui Jen to its slumber. To the villagers, only one among them is wise enough to confront the scaly beast -- Mi Fei.

The power of the artist's vision and the ever-sustaining nature of love are brought together inMarguerite W. Davol's beautiful story, strikingly interpreted by Robert Sabuda in a series of gatefold illustrations that convey the storytelling majesty of the Chinese narrative scrollmaker's art. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

great story, Sabuda artwork and a non-violent resolution
This peaceful story is a lovely way to introduce another culture to young readers, and Robert Sabuda's artwork is beautiful. Mi Fei is an artist who is content to paint scrolls and live within his community until the villagers hear that a dragon has awakened to threaten the countryside and nominate him to face the foe. After a long journey, Mi Fei finds the dragon, who offers him a series of riddles/challenges to perform. Sabuda, better known for his pop-up masterpieces, brings the story to life with breathtaking images of vibrant color and flowing imagery.

Wonderful tale.

Wonderful story and beautifully illustrated.
This is the most wonderful children's book I have ever read. I loved it and my seven year old daughter loves it also. It tells a wonderful story about Chinese culture,love and courage. The illustration is absolutely beautiful!I've recommended it to many friends with children.

Excellent story and visual content.
The Paper Dragon has captured the heart of all the readers I have given copies to (I am on my eighth copy). The story of a humble artist sent to task against a fierce dragon, is portayed colorfully in word and pictures. The gate style print of the pictures lend themselves to become an intergral part of the storyline.

A touching lesson is given to us all, when we find that the dragon is thankful to be released from his reign of terror, and allowed to sleep again. I have heard my five year old tell the story to her friends.

Great for Readers' Theatre in the library
The Paper Dragon by Marguerite Davol is listed for readers age 4-8, but it works well with older children or students as a vehicle for Readers' Theatre. Dramatizing the roles of Mi Fei and the Dragon is not only fun but brings the story alive and can be done with few props. The illustrations with the foldout pages are not only beautifully done but the format provides a little mystery on each page which makes for a great read-aloud. The role of the humble artist as someone who represents a particular culture is actually a rather mature concept to present to children - The Paper Dragon does this effortlessly. Often artists are treated as strange or crazy in children's literature; it is refreshing to see that the artist here is portrayed as a problem solver.

Great story with great artwork. Great read aloud book.
This book was a great find. A wonderful story of a humble artist asked to face a fierce dragon to save his village. The wonderful artwork in this book beautifully tell the story of how the artist uses his craft to peacefully defeat the dragon. For all of you daycare and library storytellers the foldout page format of the book makes it easy to read this a group.

My wife, my two year old son and I heartily recommend this book. It was a joy to come across a dragon story that does not use violence to defeat the dragon. The moral of the story is that love can win. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nightly fun for a two-and-a-half-year-old!
This is one of my son's favorite books.He liked the popups, and after a couple of readings he started watching to see where the mouse was on each page.He calls it his "mouse book." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Robert Sabuda is to pop-up art what the International Grandmaster is to chess, and it isn't for nothing that he's described on the back of this book as a "paper engineer." As the title suggests, this whimsical, old-fashioned, elegant book embodies the Traditional Song of Abundant Giving--each verse of "The 12 Days of Christmas" is illustrated with a different pop-up creation. Some are relatively simple, such as the partridge (made of just two pieces of hinged paper) that opens its wings above some pears. Still, there is something unexpectedly bold about how the bird literally flies out over the top margin of the page. Other pop-ups are more characteristically bravura creations: the "Ten pipers piping" are crafted explicitly as decorative paper cut-outs, but the scissors that cut them are part of the pop-up, too. Perhaps the most complex of the set is "Eleven Ladies Dancing." Interpreted as an old-fashioned music box, the 11 ladies dancing are little ballerinas, and the music box is complete with drawer, back-mirror, and winding key. Sabuda's masterful The 12 Days of Christmas is full of nostalgia for the magic of childhood celebration--kids and adults alike would be happy to receive this book as a holiday gift. (Ages 3 to 103) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A perfect book
This is the most beautiful, brilliant Christmas book I have ever seen. It is for all ages, not just 4-8. Sabuda pays attention not just to how the pop-up image looks when the page is open, but also to the way in which the image emerges. The simplicity of images, use of color, and imagination all combine to make this a perfect book.

Magical Childrens Book
Even though I am a teenager, I love Sabudas' The Twelve Days of Christmas. This book is magical because when you turn to each page you see a magnificent array of creativity. Each time I read it (many times!) I study how all those paper designs work so perfectly. I especially love the jewelry box, swans, and reindeer. It is a real treat for your eyes as well as your imagination. I recommend it for all ages, and would be a perfect gift for the holiday season.

Looking for a Christmas tradtion to with the kids
This is the only book I ever remember reading from Robert Sabuda. And this book is a lot diffrent from other books you may have seen or read, this is a pop up book, and every time you turn the page or open a pocket, a ptucre of the ideam of the number oyu are on jumps out at you, like a ptcure of a deer (I think) that you seen with 5 gold rings on it antlers. Really you should know how the song goes, so I am not going though the whole song, and if I did that, it would take to long because for a lot of it, I have to repeat the lines over and ovver and over again from 1 to 12. In a lot of books, you see a year that the book was published and other infromation about the book, but you don't get it, there is about 13 pages in this book, and on some of it numbers share the same page as the preious number. I don't know who wrote the song or why they decided to keep repating the lines over and over and over again. And is the 12 days of Chirstmas supposed to start the 12 days before Christmas, or they are 12 days of December 25. And if you celbrate Chrsitmas, you may want to add this to your trations if you don't, or do this as a Christmas tration if you have kids in the fututre.

A Joy for All Ages
The classic Christmas song is illustrated in all of its verses in this charming book. The pop-up pictures are delightful, and some of the depictions actually are exquisite, halfway between oragami and sculpture. The art is the work of a visionary. This is a lovely book for children, but adults really may appreciate it more than little ones do.

Wow!
"Wow" is all I can say about this book. We read this book as a family activity and our three boys, (11, 9, 4), absolutely loved it. It makes you feel like a kid again. The pop up art is amazing and lovely. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Robert Sabuda, an extraordinary paper engineer, has created several dazzling pop-up books, including Cookie Count and The Christmas Alphabet. In this exuberant collaboration with author Nancy Williams, his paper constructions virtually explode into life. The seven principles of Kwanzaa (from unity to faith) are introduced with the African words and pronunciations, accompanied by bright illustrations of African American children and family groups. Each spread includes a pop-up holiday element such as candles in a special candleholder or the mkeka, a colorful place mat to hold theKwanzaa symbols. One pop-up is a gift box with a lid that opens to show a tiny doll inside! ("Each child receives zawadi (zah-WAH-dee), or gifts, from our parents. These are for promises kept during the year.") And, on the last page you can open and close the book slightly to make a little boy's trombone slide and a girl's hands wave.Though this book will not withstand much use by young children alone, it would be fine for an adult to read to children. A delightful visual celebration of Kwanzaa. (Ages 3 to 8) --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Book Description

How did Valentine's Day, one of our most popular holidays, begin?

It started in ancient Rome when a kind physician named Valentine took an interest in a young blind girl. With his healing skill and his deep faith he restored her sight. What we now call Valentine's Day began when he sent the little girl a secret message, which she received after the Christian martyr was executed. For this tale rich in sentiment, master illustrator Robert Sabuda has created exquisite paper mosaics to suggest early Christian art that resonates with both subtlety and power. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful book!
I wish I had a book like this for St. Nicholas, but I will look for one on St. Patrick too. This is a really interesting book.

An Attractive Story of St. Valentine for Elementary Kids!
I was just handed this attractive story about Saint Valentine by a 3rd & 4th grade teacher who is using it in her classroom as part of her Valentine's Day activities. I'm the librarian at a public elementary school, so I read through it quickly with great delight. Since we don't have it in our collection, it is one I hope we can acquire before Valentine's Day next year!

While this story is about a saint of the Christian faith, the religious aspect of the story is toned down and not preachy. While Valentine's faith, and his role as a priest, are woven into the story, the text emphasizes his role as a physician and his relationship with the blind daughter of a Roman jailer who seeks healing. The "Notes on the text" at the end of the book explain Valentine's connection with the celebration of love.

The warm colored mosaics, with their icon-like appearance, are a fitting complement to the text. This book is visually appealing, and both the size of text and word choice make it appropriate for primary and middle grade readers.

It's my opinion that "Saint Valentine" would be a welcome addition to both school and church libraries, as well as in the collections of families who want to see historical, and saintly, figures like this come to life.

A Wonderful Account of St. Valentine's Life (Legend)
While we cannot be sure that the story of St. Valentine given here is true, due to the lack of historical data, Robert Sabuda gives a wonderful rendition of the St. Valentine legend as most Catholics know it. Kids love the story, the miracle, and the sacrifice that St. Valentine makes for his love of God. I've read it to first through fourth graders on several occasions. We then discuss faith legend, martyrdom and miracle at their age level. The illustrations are fabulous mosaics. I highly recommend this book to parents and teachers! ... Read more

Book Description

With "Season's Greetings" written on the inside of each card, and 26 of renowned pop-up artist Robert Sabuda's intricate and eye-catching designs, there is a card in this beautiful set for every letter of the alphabet. Based on Sabuda's best-selling children's book The Christmas Alphabet, you'll find a perfect card for everyone on your holiday list. ... Read more