CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
"Next to the magisterial pop-up Aesop's Fables of Kees Moerbeck et al. (2011), not to mention the plethora of livelier non–pop-up collections, an also-ran. (Pop-up/fables. 6-8)"
Seven fables are blandly retold, accompanied by unambitious pop-ups likely to spark only fleeting moments of attention from readers.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
"A good "starter" version, though younger children may need some prodding to see how silly the whole premise is. (Pop-up/fairy tale. 6-9)"
The ever-popular (and controversial) "princess" test gets a handsome retelling amid a series of large-scale tableaux.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
"A superfluous alternative to real clothes. (Instructional board book. 4-6)"
A big button, a short zipper, a pair of small side-release buckles and other types of fasteners may keep little fingers busy "helping" a wolf dress for school, but the accompanying pictures, storyline and swatches of fabric are only a vehicle for the dry goods.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 27, 2012
"An affectionate tribute to a great American songsmith as well as an impressionistic snapshot of a land made for you and me, fitted out with appropriately homespun movable parts. (Pop-up/picture book. 5-8)"
A canine family takes a road trip across the United States, with the titular song's cheerful nonsense for a soundtrack.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 22, 2012
"A grand panorama, though because the geography is, to say the least, creative and the stately buildings are barely even a representative sampling of what London has to offer, this is more a keepsake than a tourist's guide. (Pop-up/nonfiction. 6-10)"
Deucedly clever paper engineering allows young visitors to spin the London Eye, raise Tower Bridge for a ship's passage and more in this spit-spot tour along the Thames.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 13, 2012
"Though most of professional magic's last 100 years pull a vanishing act, a beguiling mix of wonders and practical advice. (bibliography, many detachable or already detached pieces) (Novelty/nonfiction. 10 & up)"
Leaving no square inch of page space unpurposed, the latest in the 'Ology series wraps directions for over two dozen simple sleight-of-hand tricks in thick skeins of history and mystery.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"Wrapped in flimsy covers held shut with an elastic band, this has a homemade look that may draw DIYers--but all in all, it's a familiar tale told yet again. (Pop-up/nonfiction. 8-11)"
For
Titanic completists, a standard account of the ship's building and sinking enhanced by pop-ups and capped by a model to be assembled from several dozen punch-out pieces.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"Not to mention the absence of more than a hint that there might be a certain amount of work involved. (Pop-up/picture book. 5-7)"
Kightley recasts Emily's Ice Dancing Show (2010) as a ballet school triumph—changing her main character's hair color but keeping the sparkles on the cover and most of the movable effects.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"A quick buzz through buggy biology, equally suitable for reading or exhibition. (Pop-up/informational picture book. 4-6)"
Six big—really big—bugs rise in extreme close-up from the spreads of this uneven but arresting early introduction to insects and arachnids.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"There are dozens of ways to lace shoes, but even for the most fashion-conscious preschoolers, this makes a good first step. (Instructional pop-up/board book. 3-5)"
For footwear DIYers, an elementary hands-on exercise with a long purple and yellow lace, holes punched through multiple bright, simple cartoon scenes and, to the side, a pop-up cardstock sneaker for further practice.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 10, 2012
"A corner flap opens to the resolution, in which the Once-ler passes the last Truffula seed and the responsibility for nurturing it on to the next generation. Good luck, Gen Z. (Pop-up/picture book. 6-9)"
Though looking a little tightly packed in just eight spreads, Dr. Seuss's cautionary environmental fable takes on fresh energy (and urgency) thanks to Carter's simple but large-scale pop-ups.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2012
"While this pop-up version adds little to Puff's enduring charm, at least it does not distract. (Pop-up/picture book. 3-6)"
