The Pocket Paper Engineer, Volume I: Basic Forms: How to Make Pop-Ups Step-by-Step Hardcover-spiral – October 1, 2005

Below is an edited version of the note I sent to the author, Carol Barton, after receiving my (first) copy of Pocket Paper Engineer:Dear Carol,Yesterday I received my copy of PPE and wanted to let you know how delighted I am with the book. Wow! I had ordered it as a gift but when I saw it, I immediately ordered two more -- one for myself and another as a gift for my daughter (she's a magazine publisher).I've been making pop-ups for 25 years and have copies of most pop-up how-to books that I know of, including some long out of print. I've taught pop-up book making and even made an "award-winning" pop-up (audience favorite). We've been in touch before back in the 1990s. You sent me some slides of your work. Your book is unique in that it is itself an artist's book. Colour, dimensions, texture, images, layout -- they're all perfect. It's all I can do to restrain myself from taking out the exacto knife on the copy I've got rather than waiting for my own copy to arrive in the mail.My immediate question is: when is volume two coming out? Will you be doing pull-tab mechanisms, too?Best regards,

I purchased this book for my 10 year old son who has a penchant for making things out of folded paper and tape. Although his usual Saturday routine would be to turn on cartoons for a couple hours, instead he opened up this book which we had just received and proceeded to plow through the first 7 or 8 projects. Each lesson clearly explains one pop-up concept with an accompanying tear-out sheet to do it yourself. He worked steadily and was extremely proud of his progress and only asked for assistance when the projects began needing an Exacto blade. With very little help he was able to tackle those projects as well. Later he was able to reproduce the pop-ups on his own without referring to the directions.The book isn't just for kids and the art is retro-hip and pleasing to look at. I did a couple as well and then "popped out" a hand-made father's day card for my dad. I am planning to get the next book in the series.

This book is well designed & presented on the surface, however the overall content is fairly limited. The book covers only a few pop-up techniques and lacks further expansion into more complex paper mechanisms. I would recommend this book more appropriately to children (7 or 8 & up) or adults who are true beginners with absolutely no experience in areas of paper crafting & pop-up construction. For who are aspiring to dive into paper engineering more thoroughly & learn of more in-depth pop-up design & theory I'd recommend  Pop-Up Design and Paper Mechanics: How to Make Folding Paper Sculpture  by Duncan Birmingham or  Elements Of Pop Up: A Pop Up Book For Aspiring Paper Engineers  by James Diaz & David A. Carter.

I bought both this and Volume 2. Returned Volume 1 and am not too thrilled with Volume 2. I have much better books on the same information which include easier to understand instructions, illustrations and certainly a much broader spectrum of challenges. Artfully illustrated but too limited in my opinion. It covers only one technique many time over. Volume 2 goes just a little beyond that! As a design instructor I used the art of "POP UP" as a tool for my students to use paper engineering to exercise their critical thinking skills. I would not have included either volume in my recommended reading for that purpose. It is more of a "cut and paste what is already provided" example of a very limited number of techniques.

This is what art teachers have been looking for. At last, the concept of presenting the tools for folding and expanding paper without a follow-the-steps-and-you-too-will-make-a-bunny-just-like-the-example. Thinking outside the lines becomes an easy step to make after seeing the progression of simple to complex skills and methods.The personal feel of the pockets for handmade examples or ideas is wonderful. I wish Carol Barton would use her wonderful teaching process to make a book on painting, drawing, sculpture,textiles,and all the materials that need to be taught in skills, not copied examples.Irene NormanAmazon Verified Purchase

A marvellous book. as a teacher I used it to construct "popups" about cell structure and my students all get As on the exams while other instructors complain mightily about "ill prepared for MY class' and "lacadasical students".. get it...do it...lol

I bought this book because I love paper cutting and want to share it with my grandchildren. Book has easy to follow instructions and the pop-ups look very impressive. Each chapter explains how the featured shape works, has 4 templates/sample cards and gives several additional ideas. I've had it for one week and have used it extensively. Book is fun and challenging and opens your mind. Glad bought it, is there a Volume II.

It was really good to teach basic paper art but I kept loosing the pieces from the pockets,

Starting from the very simple you end up wishing to learn more.Easy-to-follow instructions and valuable tips. I also bought the next twovolumes of the series. Very much recommended.