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The popup book is an old favorite in the kidlit world, but the latest iterations are so sophisticated that they’ve inspired a new term for (or is it from?) their makers: paper engineers. Recently a book not even out yet has generated lots of interest on youtube; check out Marion Bataille’s 3-D ABC. It’s due out in October by MacMillan’s Roaring Book Press, the first book by this French graphic designer to be published in the U.S.

I first encountered the engineered version of the popup genre at my nephew’s house in North Carolina. His 6-year-old had received Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs for Christmas and was thrilled. Paper engineers (and pioneers) Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart collaborated on the project, which was published by Candlewick Press in 2005, each book made entirely by hand in Thailand or China. Encyclopedia Mythologica is due out in May.

For the Encyclopedias, Sabuda created popups for Reinhart’s story and illustrations, but both talented artists are also working independently now. Here’s a Barnes & Noble interview with Matthew about his creative process, and here’s Robert talking with the Wall Street Journal about some of his work. These two are an innovative, iconic and prolific phenomenon, and their influence will be felt increasingly in the world of multicultural books, no question.

Pop’n Kimchee is an early example of the use of popups – and the first multicultural popup title we know of. It’s also an example of just how much the art of popups has developed since it was published in 2000.

Sam Ita’s Moby Dick, a state-of-the-art popup book published in November 2007, features many thrills, including the Pequod opening in full sail, almost a foot high. Ita’s next book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea comes out in October 2008.

For more about the art and science of paper engineering, check out this list of how-to books on Robert Sabuda’s website. And for you teachers, here are some general tips on popups in the classroom, and here is more from Sabuda and Reinhart on classroom use, from the early days of their collaboration.

As some of you may remember, before the BRG hiatus I was in the process of moving into a new apartment, and creating a new work space. I now live in one 840 square foot room that serves many functions; its a big open modern space and I LOVE it. Before we moved I was nervous there wouldn't be enough division between work space and home life, but now I don't feel that way at all... it feels really efficient having everything in one space, and we had to pare down so its kind of nice not being able to own a lot of stuff. Moving out of my old studio I couldn't believe the stuff I was holding onto for "artistic inspiration," which I now see was basically license to be a pack rat! Okay so this is what it looked like...

The day after moving we woke up to a room full of boxes:




My future studio space- what was the first thing I unpacked? Why, my children's books of course:



My favorite thing so far is this floor to ceiling bookshelf that came with the place, it satisfies many OCD fantasies:



My drafting table is under a giant window, against a wall of exposed brick, and looking out over an engineering/construction business. While I'm painting bunnies I get to watch all kinds of fork lifts and other handy vehicles moving poles around:



Here is the view of my studio from the center of the apartment. My collection of giant plants turn out to be the perfect room dividers:

Shane Evans - Congratulations on the opening of your new Kansas City, MO Dream Studio and Gallery! I'd love to see the INSIDE of this prolific children's book illustrator's studio - and will make a point to visit next time I'm in KC. The studio is located at 711 East 31st Kansas City MO. 64110. You can hear an interview with Shane on Just One More Books. Enjoy!