WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORWOOD

Seven big, multileveled pop-up versions of animal-built homes or other structures highlight nature’s interconnectedness.

Sheehy creates his illustrations using mostly sturdy earth-toned papers collaged with occasional bits of acetate or string. He opens with a flamed tiger snail’s striped spiral shell, then follows up with other constructions that include a beaver’s den and the nurseries of a potter wasp and a three-spined stickleback. In simply phrased accompanying notes, he identifies each animal, describes each structure’s materials and techniques, then closes with a segue—noting, for example, that the nest of a ruby-throated hummingbird (that “Master of Craftsbirdship”) is partly made of sticky silk “provided by her eight-legged neighbor…” the garden spider, whose “Loom of Doom” is featured on the next spread. The animal architects all gather for a closing 3-D group portrait over the observation that we too are “part of the neighborwood.”

An auspicious debut, imparting a worthy message in playful language and harmonious, sophisticated paper design.