Small children have long known the joys of pop-up books. Just unfold the pages or pull the tabs and flat pictures turn into three-dimensional forms. However, not all pop-up books are kid stuff. With detailed artwork and complex "paper engineering," some are designed for older, more sophisticated readers. Here our favorite architecture pop-up books for readers of all ages.
1. The Architecture Pop Up Book
A pop-up survey course of world architecture, from Egyptian pyramids and Greek classics to Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, is a nifty introduction to the art of building.
2. Frank Gehry in Pop-Up
The architecture of Frank Gehry is already entertaining, but this hard-cover pop-up book promises hours of fun. In 48 pages, eight Frank Gehry buildings are featured, including his famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.3. The Architecture Pack
Subtitled "A Unique, Three-Dimensional Tour of Architecture over the Centuries : What Architects Do, How They Do It," this playful and educational book is just too good to give to the kids. Included are detailed paper models of famous buildings like the Roman Colosseum, transparencies that show the transformation of cities over time, and commentary on architectural history.4. Frank Lloyd Wright in Pop-Up
Although not as detailed as the other pop-up books listed here, this collection is an excellent introduction to Frank Lloyd Wright. Six important Wright designs are depicted along with photographs and original plans and drawings.5. The New York Pop-Up Book
Both children and adults will delight in seeing New York's grand structures spring to life. In addtion to the Metropolitan and Guggenheim museums, the federal Reserve and Stock Exchange, Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and other important buildings, the book includes New York's underground subway system.6. The Modern Architecture Pop-Up Book
This lush and hefty book has three-dimensional replicas of famous buildings from modern times including the Eiffel Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge, and London's Crystal Palace. Limited edition printing.