Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Christmas Pop-Up Present
Paper Engineer: John Rives
Novelty Book
For ages 3 and up
Simon and Schuster, 2005 ISBN: 978-0689866432
For children Christmas is a time full of excitement, secrets, and surprises. This wonderful paper creation is just one more treat to add to the holiday season. When you open the box you will soon find yourself holding a paper cube with ten windows in it. Each little window shows a Christmas scene. Some of the scenes are in a pop-up format to give them a three dimensional effect.
When you open up the cube further you will see a miniature advent calendar which covers the twenty-four days leading up to Christmas. Some of the days show a picture and some of the days have little windows in them with pop-ups and pictures inside. Both illustrate the celebrations of a charming little mouse family. We see the family visiting with Santa Mouse, we see them getting their Christmas tree, and handing up their stockings. One of the days even has a little book entitled "Mice Memories" tucked inside a panel. The miniature book can be taken out and looked at. Finally, after each little section has been explored, the cube can be opened up further still to reveal, in a pop-up format, the little red brick house of the mouse family. We are able to see the little family fast asleep in their beds while Santa Mouse puts presents under the Christmas tree in the parlor.
Fans of novelty and pop-up creations will be delighted with this unique gift. There are so many things to look at and children will be amazed to discover how many scenes and treats this little paper box can hold. Flipping, opening, and trying to find all the secrets will give readers of all ages plenty of holiday time entertainment.
