Arizona State University (ASU) Library’s Pop-Up Book Collection Is “Deceptively Simple Fun”

From ASU News:

Arizona State University's Eugene D. Valentine Collection is a quirky and joyful collection of about 800 pop-up books, but that doesn't mean it should be taken lightly.

Illustrator Martin Baynton launched his pop-up version of “Hansel and Gretel,” a well-known fairy tale of German origin, in 1982. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU

Each book is considered a complex work of art, with designers spending countless hours bringing their paper-crafted constructions to life.

These movable book formats also have the potential to teach people something new – from Disney alphabet books to books about menopause, cigars and Star Trek. The secret to their appeal lies in their ability to speak to people of all ages, from young children to adults.

“These are books that you have to read with your hands because they're so engaging,” says Suzy Morgan, ASU library curator. “They only work when you pick them up or manipulate them, and that requires you to engage with them. It's one of the most interactive book formats there is because they're both abstract and artistic. And they're really fun to read, too.”

The ASU Library received most of these materials over several years from Valentine, a former faculty member in the English Department and founding member of the ASU Emeritus College who died in 2022. But the collection began in the late 1980s during a road trip to Tucson, said colleague Daniel Mayer.

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Shari Laster, director of curation and open collections access at the ASU Library, said that while the collection may not attract as many visiting scholars as some of the other archives, it is still an effective tool for university and community outreach.

“We use them for events when we open the doors to show people our special collections,” Laster said. “When I first walked in and saw a book I recognized, I was completely stunned that we had that kind of book in our collection. You never know what kind of format can spark a lifelong passion for special collections and archives. Pop-up books are perfect for that.”

Learn more, read the full article (approx. 1200 words), see pictures

See also: More stories in this series about ASU Library Special Collections