After a visit to the libraries of Webster University, I couldn't help having a new found interest in what I'm now deeming "sculpture books". This type of book is more than just the "pop-up" books of our childhood... it's interactive illustration and sculpted literary arts in the making.

Actually, come to find out, their relation to childhood story books is only a recent occurrence. One of the first known three-dimensional technique for illustrating was actually used for astrology. It was only in the 90's that this style geared back towards an older audience as opposed to children. One such example is The Pop-Up Book of Phobias, a pop-up book that wittingly depicts 10 of the top phobias with engineered genius. (Christmas present, anyone?)

There are many types of three-dimensional books that are covered by this umbrella term of sculpture book: pop-ups, transformations, tunnel books, flaps, volvelles, flaps, pull-tabs, pop-outs, pull-downs, exc. With paper engineering similar to that of origami, sculpture books tend to be more mechanical and pictorial, rather than objects.