Best Pop Up Books for Adults

Pop up books have been an important part of our childhoods. They allowed us to explore literature and give meaning to words as we started to grasp written language. They triggered our imaginations and showed us that books can be interactive.

Then the real world crept in and robbed us of these wonderful touchstones of youth. Gone was the ability to touch the art as well as read the words that they represented. On some level our creativity was stifled.

Fear not, inner child! There are still pop up books for adults. Drawing on our love of art, modern culture, and deepest fears, these pop up books for adults open the door to what drew us into the world of our literary imaginations.

Below are ten books that no adult should be without. Enjoy.

It is challening to think of an artist who has made an observer's mind work more than M.C. Escher. His ability to fold reality in on itself was a true gift.

It is even more evident when seen in three dimensions. This collection of some of Escher's more famous works makes his visions come alive.

A beautiful book with zen-like poetry and deceptively simple designs. This book is a marvel. It takes you in the middle of beautiful creatures. Everything is white, but ... surprise on the last page!

A beautiful gift of surprises. Each letter is carefully crafted and protected by plastice. Part cubism, part bauhaus, this book is a wonderful addition to the library of any creative person.

Realize DaVinci's genius in 3D. Arguably one of the most influential minds in history, DaVinci's designs need to be lifted from the page and brought to life. This book is as close as many of us will come to realizing his inventions without the need of a passport.

Simply gorgeous.

Do You Think Pop-Up Books Should Only Be For Children?

A clever, original book for those who love black humor and the macabre. Any fan of Edward Gorey or Tim Burton needs this book in their collection. It's an interactive guide to the history of bad luck and the steps to avoid making oneself a victim. Vicious fun.

This book is pricey. It is, however, a great book for any Hitchcock fanatic. Utilizing Hitchcock's love of shadow and juxtaposition, this book combines moments of his films with stills and includes plot summaries. There is even a tab that includes Hitchcock's traditional cameo he had in each film.

It includes the following scenes:

Saboteur-Statue of Liberty torch

Vertigo-Mission tower stairwell

Psycho-The house on the hill and the shower scene

The Birds-School/birds and gas station fire

Marnie-Breaking window and grabbing for money

Torn Curtain-Killing the commie

Frenzy-Strangulation

movie scenes courtesy of Amazon.com

Don't let the price of this book fool you. There are MUCH more inexpensive copies on Amazon.com. A fun, creepy read, this book brings to life some of your greatest fears (and some you didn't knew you had until now). These include being chased by something unseen, rats teeming in your fridge, and that dreaded free-falling nightmare. The Pop-Up Book of Nightmares also includes explanations on what each dream signifies.

Antoni Gaudí was a visionary architect with a penchant for nature and religion. His combination of the two is what continues to draw art lovers to Barcelona year after year. This book is full of Gaudi’s designs and creations. Most reviewers on Amazon.com are especially impressed with the pop up of the cathedral Sagrada Família. Rich in detail and full of vibrant colors, this is a great gift for the artists and architects in your life.

I just need to preface this with STAR WARS is not for kids! It’s a part of our collective thinking and has had a tremendous impact on film and modern culture for decades.

Now that that’s out of my system, let me say that this book is a MUST HAVE for any Star Wars fan. I have two (one to show off to friends and one to keep sealed in case of emergency!) The details of each pop up capture the films perfectly. It includes information on the films and even has light up light sabres! What more could you ask for?

And better yet, NO Jar Jar Binks!

Just use your imagination!