Teagan’s Likeable Literature: Pop-up Books (Win!)

“Pop-Up Book: The term pop-up book is often applied to any three-dimensional or movable book, although properly the umbrella term movable book covers pop-ups, transformations, tunnel books, volvelles, flaps, pull-tabs, pop-outs, pull-downs, and more, each of which performs in a different manner. Also included, because they employ the same techniques, are three-dimensional greeting cards.”

Thatsitmommy loves pop-up books!  Even the simplest pop-ups make every page turn an exciting, come to life adventure. Here are some pop-up books we recommend that do more than just exhilarate:

A WALK DOWN SESAME STREET: POP-UP BOOK
Candlewick Press
Ages 3 & Up
$19.99

Can you believe that Sesame Street recently celebrated their 40^th Anniversary? I’m thrilled that I can watch this classic and groundbreaking TV show with Teagan. The characters are loveable, the show is educational and it is truly a delight to watch.  It’s one of the few children’s television programs we can totally connect with on the same level. Kermit and Oscar the Grouch were my favorite Sesame Street characters. Teagan’s favorites seem to be Cookie Monster, for obvious cookie reasons (“me eat cookie!”) and as always, Elmo. In honor of Sesame Street’s monumental anniversary Candlewick Press has published A Walk Down Sesame Street: Pop-Up Book. This book is beautiful! Plan to spend time with this book. You won’t believe the tons of pull-tabs and hidden letters for your kids to find and decode. Each page highlights an interactive “Play at Home” segment. All of your favorite Sesame Street characters can be found in this book. Your kids will have a blast while learning about opposites and more. Great book to explore the “neighborhood”.

ENCYCLOPEDIA MYTHOLOGICA: GODS & HEROES
by Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda
Candlewick Press
Ages 5 & Up
$29.99

WOW! This pop-up book is amazing. This book features a thrilling overview of ancient mythology. Each intricate page offers an entire pantheon of very intricate and innovative pop-ups. The reader will find the corners of every page filled with even more centuries-old myths and legends. Adult supervision is necessary with this book. Young hands could easily do damage to each pages architecture that just happens to offer a hypnotizing perspective. The illustrations and layout are superb! Great gift for any fan of mythology or anyone who may want to learn about the heroes, gods, monsters and sacred legends presented in thrilling 3-D engineering.

FLANIMALS POP-UP
By Ricky Gervais
Candlewick Press
Ages 5 & Up
$19.99

Flanimals is a children and adults’ book series written by comedian and The Office creator Ricky Gervais. The book, illustrated by Rob Steen, features 35 different creatures described as a species of animal that form an imaginary world. We had so much fun with this edition of Flanimals. Everything Gervais works on turns out to be a laugh-out-loud masterpiece. If you happen to wonder what Flanimals are I’ll tell you that these creatures are the most absurd looking beasts. Most of the characters have interesting, nonsensical names and creature features that are outrageously comical! Primitive Mulgis and Spluffs from the planet Mulon spring to life with every pop-up page turn! The book is recommended for readers 5 and up. My guess is that this is a book Teagan will turn to as she increases her reading level. The pop-ups and pictures are fun to look at but the descriptions are babbling.  A little too much detail for my new reader.  However, Teagan was very curious about these new beings popping up from every page.  I sensed delight as much as disgust for these ridiculous looking-except for the Woboid Mump, which can’t look at all-species of the Flanimal Kingdom. Are there even more frighteningly cute creatures to explore? You’ll find them hidden behind the flaps in the corners on some of the pages. The paper engineering created larger than life sized beasts with vibrant color and annoying behaviors.  Ricky Gervais states, “Even though they’ve sold millions, won awards, and are being made into a Hollywood blockbuster, I’ve always thought that Flanimals lacked a certain poppy-upness.  That is not a problem anymore!”

-Tee & Sean

GIVEAWAY – Enter to win A WALK DOWN SESAME STREET: POP-UP BOOK!

MAIN ENTRY – Who is Your Family’s Favorite Sesame Street Character and Why?

(leave your comment in the comment box below this post).

(Remember if this MAIN ENTRY is not followed then no other entries will count)

Want Extra entries? – Leave each extra entry in a separate comment.

1 Extra Entry – Follow Candlewick Press on Twitter and let us know.

1 Extra Entry – Tweet this giveaway. Copy and paste – I want to win A Walk Down Sesame Street Pop-Up Book!! @thatsITmommy! http://bit.ly/b9PPju #giveaway @candlewick

This giveaway will run through midnight on March 28, 2010 (PST) with winner being announced March 29, 2010 (PST). Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact us before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (18+).

* We did not receive monetary compensation for this review.
*We did receive copies of books for review purposes. This will in no way sway our opinion of the service.
The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.