One year, I was little, my aunt bought me a pop-up ‘Hansel and Gretel’ book. It twisted around to a carousel shape and tied together with a pink ribbon. It was my most treasured possession and still is, being one of the few things I have from my childhood. I know that it was responsible for my absolute love of pop-up and fairy tale. I also know that I’ve passed on these loves to Littlest.
I happened upon Tango Books on Facebook and now have, in my pop-up collection, new (and utterly delicious) pop-up books.
Look at this delicate take on Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Princess and the Pea’. There are six double pages of perfect pop-up.
The illustrations are beautiful, they’re simple which is needed in the often crowded pop-up page. And the retelling has an elegance that nods to the original story, but carries a freshness of its own. This is one of my most favourite fairy tales and I love this retelling. Littlest read this to me last week, pointing out details in the pop-up and spending as much time on the illustrations as on the words.
Then there’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’, based on ‘Briar Rose’ by those Brothers Grimm.
Again there are six stunning pop-ups, covering six double pages. The retelling of the story, again, has a simplicity, but it is utterly enchanting and delicate. The colours are sharp and crisp, perfect for this fairy tale.
There is something truly unique about reading and interacting with pop-ups. You slow down your reading, you slow down when turning to a new page, almost giving the pages respect, you absorb tiny detail, you savour each word. There’s a need for gentle fingers and a patience of sorts.
Reading pop-up books, I think, sums up why I love storytelling and fairy tales so very much.
And, look at the beautiful pages:
In a world where publishing is turning increasingly digital, beautiful pop-ups are the books that need to survive. These are the books that are given as gifts, as beautiful objects, that will last a lifetime.
I think they’re magical.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
They look lovely. I used to collect children’s books even before I had my own children, and I have quite a nice collection of books including many traditional tales. These books look gorgeous, and special enough for presents that will be kept for years.
I think gifting books is going to become increasingly special over the next few years. I’d love to see your collection one day… please x
D went on at me for ages to buy him The Haunted House by Jan Pienkowski. I got it for him in the end and it’s fab. I can understand why he wanted to get it back, especially now we have J
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haunted-House-Pop-up-Book-Pienkowski/dp/043495635X
The Sleeping Beauty one looks AMAZING!
Looks ace! My boys loved Jan Pienkowski when they were younger. x
I love pop-up books too. I’d love for Father Christmas to bring my daughter the Princess & the Pea for Christmas…last year the elves brought this for my son (in his advent calendar).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Santa-Really-Works-Pop-Up/dp/1847389325/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321188263&sr=8-2
Were we split at birth?
It looks delicious! Will check it out for P x
They are gorgeous!
Very!
I loved pop up books as a child. They bring stories to life that bit more, I think. Sorry I’ve not commented sooner - been poorly but working every day so what with study, not much blog viewing time!
Thanks Catt. Hope you’re feeling better x
I love pop-up books but I’ve never seen the ones you mentioned here. I must try and find these versions, they’re gorgeous.