A pop-up invitation to dream big.
With his latest set of seemingly miraculous white pop-ups, Sabuda urges expansive life goals. Accompanying a flat image of a small pine cone, the phrase “When I grow up” concludes, with a page turn, “I will stand TALL,” next to a towering tree. “When I strive for my goals” (a small bee looping in for a landing) leads to a magnificent stand of finely petaled sunflowers and a satisfied “I will savor the outcome.” A bowl of eggs turns to a swirling flight of birds when dreams are shared; dreaming “of the future” transforms a bath toy into a great ship in full sail; a multileveled castle is the result when “I build my life”; and finally the “humble beginning” envisioned as a paper airplane becomes a rocket blasting off “to a life among the stars.” Younger viewers may be more inclined to admire the way each model unfolds and marvel at its intricate paper engineering than to embellish the metaphorical images with specific personal ambitions—but the wide-angled outlook may inspire at least some longer thoughts. It’s easy to imagine this giving Oh, the Places You’ll Go a run for its money as a perennial graduation gift.
An elevated outing, perhaps a touch vague but, as ever, magnificently designed.
(Pop-up picture book. 7-9, adult)