Matthew Reinhart
Having had the pleasure of speaking with the talented Matthew Reinhart on the telephone recently, I wish that everyone could experience his intense, excited-by-life voice. He is obviously enchanted with life itself and this exuberance spills over into all of his work. When he says that he strives to "entertain the child that I am," the statement reveals the excitement with which he approaches every aspect of his writing and art - it is what makes it "come alive."
As I questioned him about the creation process, he told me that the "words are the most important and always come first." He always seeks to work on things that pique his own interest. With this in mind, he went on to describe the numerous steps that make up the long trek to the finished book.
First he begins to capture the basic ideas he wants to incorporate on paper and then the research begins. With his recent masterpiece, Dinosaurs: Encyclopedia Prehistorica, he already knew a lot about dinosaurs from his lifetime interest in the huge "thunder lizards," but he still did a lot of in depth research to insure that the most up-to-date information would be included in the book. These first ideas are discussed with his editors along with small, vague descriptions of possible pop-ups for the project.
Then Robert Sabuda steps in with his paper engineering design talent. The goals of the book are discussed and the overall impact of the pop-ups are settled upon. For instance, in the dinosaur book they agreed that the centerpiece would have to be a GIGANTIC T. Rex that would loom over the reader, so that the reader would literally feel "under" the tyrannosaur. They felt that there was so much information to cram into the book that they had to incorporate numerous "booklets" with side-bar type data. These little inset booklets are also filled with amazing, miniature pop-ups. They also decided early on that the final page would have to be a pteradon flying off the page as a grand finale, this idea proved to be quite difficult to execute because the wings kept getting caught on various bits and pieces on the page. Of course, they overcame this challenge and the winged dino does, indeed, seem to fly off the page as the last visual treat in the book.
The next step is to execute all of the art in plain white with thumbnail sketches of ideas of how the text and art will fit together. This "dummy" is also vetted with the editors and the variables are discussed as many pop-up ideas take a great deal of "trial and error" perfection before the final product actually takes shape. Matthew says that now there is less of this process since they have had so much experience with the development process. There is still a lot of problem solving after the prototype is made. He and Robert Sabuda work together as a master team on all the technical paper engineering. He says that neither of them lets "egos get in the way of work," they have a back and forth flow that allows them to reach the best solution to design problems. They both felt strongly about including moments in paleontology and the history of the study of dinosaurs. With so much information to cover, some of their dinosaur creations could not be included due to space constraints.
Through all of the process the editors consult on the requirements of the design and the changes, if any, that are necessary. The design team goes on to finalize the "dye" lines (the cutting lines for the huge dye cutter) and get the text placement "sorted out."
Matthew uses all sorts of papers upon which he "paints, dabs, speckles, sponges, and combs" textures in a variety of colors and hues to create the paper collages that will become the art for the cut-outs that make up the pop-up designs. The whole of each pop-up is displayed flat and arranged like cookies on a sheet to maximize space. These are sent to the manufacturer in huge sheets which are the cut with the "dye stamp" and laboriously hand assembled for the final book.
The next big project for Matther Reinhart is his pop-up version of Cinderella, due out in the fall. He greatly enjoyed creating the art for his "first big fairy tale." He had "lots of fun with this one" as he did all of the art and design work himself; this one "helped me grow artistically" as he was able to incorporate foil papers, ribbons ("in her dress") and "silver reins for the horses." He has gotten to use a variety of materials in his pop-ups as they have become more complicated, ex. "there is string inside the T. Rex's head to make it work properly." He is also very excited to be working on his own version of The Jungle Book, using an abridgement of Kipling's original text. He says it is going to be extremely detailed and that he has "felt honored to be working with Kipling's original work."
The work for Sharks and Sea Monsters, the sequel of Dinosaurs: Encyclopedia Prehistorica, ("next year") has also been an engaging and challenging project for their studio. As their work load has grown, Matthew and Robert have employed a number of artists who enjoy working in the relaxed environment of their studio, supersaturated in pop-up art. Matthew told me that they have eclectic taste in music, which ranges from rock, to pop and dance music from the 80's - whatever they are listening to as they work it seems to be stimulating a great deal of fabulous art!
Contributor: Sheilah Egan
To visit another feature where the author speaks About Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy, click here.
For more information about Matthew Reinhart and his art visit: www.matthewreinhart.com
Reviews
The Ark
Illustrated by Matthew Reinhart
Here is the old familiar Bible story retold with pop-up pictures, this time on six double-fold spreads, five of which have two or more separate pop-up enhancements, some of them accessed by lifting a flap. The illustrator/paper engineer has achieved an interesting and unusual effect by outlining all of the movable picture elements--animals, people, birds, insects, trees and architecture--with white. This creates the impression of doubling the speed of all the pop-up actions in the various scenes. In different double-page spreads Noah, working in is field, is called from heaven and told of a great flood that will cleanse the evils of the world. He is told to build a great Ark of three decks and many rooms. Then he is instructed to gather a male and female of every variety of beast and bird and crawling thing and bring them all into the Ark. There they will be safe during the flooding of the Earth. After forty days and nights of rain and storm, the water begins to recede and the Ark lands on a mountaintop whereupon the doors of the Ark are opened and all the creatures depart to go forth and multiply. This is an outstanding movable book. 2005, Little Simon, $16.95. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Eleanor Heldrich (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-689-85909-0
Cinderella
Matthew Reinhart
Reinhart retells the fairy tale as I remember it from my childhood in this splendid pop-up. As a student of Robert Sabuda, you can clearly see the influence of the pop-up master--especially the pop-ups-within pop-ups on a page or spread. These combinations make this story a delight. The art is not quite as exciting as one would find in a Sabuda book, but the pop-ups are on par. The opening scene of Cinderella's cottage, a later one of the beautiful coach with its horses as she sets out for the ball, and the final scene with the pop-up castle are particularly engaging. For young girls who love this fairy tale or who may be hearing or reading it for the first time, this book will be a joy. 2005, Little Simon/Simon and Schuster, $24.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416905011
ISBN: 1-4169-0501-4
Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up
Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
The world of pop-ups is, indeed, in a second "Golden Age," as Sabuda and Reinhart team up to display their enviable talents in this newest addition to the field. They have proven their expertise in paper engineering with past masterpieces, but they seem to have out-done themselves this time. Young people seem to have an obsessive interest in dinosaurs and they are guaranteed many hours of delight exploring every aspect of this detailed presentation of "terrible lizards." Sabuda and Reinhart have obviously done a lot of research and have crammed tons of facts into the book while using a lighthearted touch: "Being plant-eaters...preferred a salad any day." They also use comparisons that children can readily understand:"...swung its clubbed tail like a baseball bat" and "...as long as two school buses parked end to end." Pronunciation of dinosaur names has been provided in the blurbs about the various types of dinosaurs, which are divided into scientific groupings. The text reveals a basic the history of the development of dinosaurs and some information about the study of fossilized dinosaur bones; but it is the spectacular pop-ups that steal the show. I have observed many children looking at this fabulous book for the first time and have felt, just as they did, like exclaiming "FANTASTIC!" 2005, Candlewick, $26.99. Ages 5 up. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7636-2228-1
The Jungle Book
Matthew Reinhart
For people who treasure pop-up books and collect them this book is a must-have. In addition to the six major paper constructions rising from the center of their double-page spreads, there are eighteen additional pop-ups under flaps on the sides of the pages. Some of these paper creations are so large they require as many as ten layers of paper and rise as high as 15" from the page and extend to 15" wide. However it must be said that at 7" wide by 10" high by 3" deep this remarkable work of paper engineering completely overwhelms the original story by Rudyard Kipling. For very young children, and this story was never intended for the very young, there are too many images, too many overworked colors, and too much frustration getting some of the pops folded back into the book. The recommended "for ages 3 and up" guide on the back cover is misleading in the extreme. On the other hand this outstanding work of paper sculpture is sure to appeal to many older children and adults. Part of Little Simon's "Classic Collectible Pop-Up" series. 2006, Little Simon/Simon and Schuster, $26.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Eleanor Heldrich (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-4169-1824-8
ISBN: 9781416918240
Mega-Beasts
Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
For young kids who love dinosaurs, this is a way to introduce other creatures who lived in prehistoric time. More than 35 pop-ups feature saber-toothed cats, bears, woolly mammoths along with sky lizards and much more. As with other pop-up books by Sabuda and Reinhart there are pop-ups within pop-ups which can mean that as many as four or five appear on a spread. A good example is the page featuring the indricotherium, a really big mammal--the largest known to have walked the planet. Opening the smaller insets reveals another huge mammal called a Thunder Beast (brontothere) which traveled in herds. Another tab on the page opens up to reveal "some hulks from down under." There are some marsupials, a husky kangaroo and a very large diprotodont which was like a giant wombat. The tab also reveals the giant moa which was hunted to extinction and then a flip of the page brings to light three more beasts. The text is informative-- explaining about the periods in time when these creatures roamed the earth and where they roamed. The tongue twisting names are all give phonetic pronunciation guidance and kids will delight in reeling off these polysyllabic names. While targeted to kids, this book needs to be handled with care and will have as much appeal to adult collectors of moveable books as the younger set. 2007, Candlewick Press, Ages 5 up, $27.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2230-5
The Movable Mother Goose
Robert Sabuda
Additional design work by Matthew Reinhart
Robert Sabuda is the grand master of pop-up books. These nursery rhymes are illustrated with inventive paper sculptures that are unique and humorous. Little Bo-Peep is an English Sheep dog, Nimble Jack is a grasshopper, Jack Sprat is a hippo, his wife a flamingo. One of the most elaborate sculptures is 24 black birds-a-la-Elvis, baked in a pie. Of course, this fragile art, tempting as it will be to young children, is not for young hands. There are six spreads each brimming with surprises, that make this, as well as each and every one of his other books, a must for collectors of paper sculpture/pop-up books. 1999, Little Simon, $19.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-689-81192-6
Young Naturalist's Pop-Up Handbook: Beetles
Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
The wonder of three-dimensional pop-ups with moveable parts adds excitement along with information to six double pages that are also packed with breezily presented facts. Anatomy, Life Cycle, Locomotion, Defense, Diversity, and the relationship between beetles and humans are the topics covered. No Table of Contents or Index may make this a bit less useful for reports, but it still rates very high for sustaining interest in the information provided. The beetles use most of the space in this small size volume, but clever page design integrates the text and other smaller members of the beetle family. Each page-spread has something new to manipulate. The creatures are essentially true-to-life, within the constraints of the best paper engineering. The book comes boxed with a stunning accompanying large paper sculpture of a beetle within a 5" x 7" mock-wooden frame complete with specimen label for the Australian Stag beetle Phalacrognathus muelleri. This is a companion set to the authors' Butterflies. 2001, Hyperion Books for Children, $19.99. Ages 7 up. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7868-0557-9
Young Naturalist's Pop-Up Handbook: Butterflies
Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
A wide variety of butterflies and moths come to life in three dimensions in six double-page spreads. A wealth of textual information is included on various aspects of their lives, including the Life Cycle, featuring the birth of a butterfly from a cocoon at the pull of a tab, Behavior, Defense, and the diversity of these "most colorful creatures on earth." This companion book to Beetles offers Sabuda a chance for more flamboyance as he creates bursts of butterflies, several together forming a delicate projectile lifting off the opening page. Several tabs make wings flap. The visual impact is strong and involving for the reader, who will still have to search out the information since there is no index. Boxed with the book is a stunning paper sculptured butterfly, a New Guinea Birdwing Ornithoptera chimaera, "mounted" inside a labeled 5" x 7" frame which can be hung on a wall. 2001, Hyperion Books for Children, $19.99. Ages 7 up. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7868-0558-7
Young Naturalist's Handbook: Insect-lo-pedia
Matthew Reinhart
This deceptively charming but comprehensive compilation of insect information is "crawling with facts...." An introduction delineates their properties; their anatomy is analyzed, their life cycle and origin discussed. Individual types are described on the following 30-odd pages in a light-hearted but factual manner. There are final notes on the relationship of insects and humans, insects as food, the role of entomologists, and endangered species. The tan pages are crowded with information; a combination of scientifically accurate and delightfully droll colored drawings which depict the creatures in action. It is a joy to browse these pages without seeking specific facts to discover bits of esoteric information as well as to watch the aggressive behavior of many insects as they go about interacting with each other and others as well. The table of contents is comprehensive, but an index would also have been useful, if not in keeping with the light spirit. 2003, Hyperion Books for Children, $15.99. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
This dense picture book is bursting with facts about insects, the only winged invertebrates on earth. Diagrams and text on initial pages highlight basic anatomy and function, the life cycle, communication, defense, and evolution. Using informative text and catchy headings, Reinhart then introduces young naturalists to some of the one million species of insects. "Have you seen Larry?" heads a paragraph on a camouflaged Indian leaf butterfly. "Pump up the volume!" connects insect culture to human experience in describing the mole cricket's use of underground tunnels to amplify his mating calls. The pages are packed with intriguing details of insect appearance, habitat, and behavior. Scientific names and the small text gear the book to an older reader. But the whimsical drawings in bright pinks, blues, and greens are more appropriate for a younger reader. With illustrations scattered over the page, it is sometimes hard to determine which text accompanies a particular drawing. The book closes with an interesting discussion of insects' symbolic and material importance in human cultures, then a short section on the extinction of species. Most seven-year-olds will find the text daunting, although the book is listed as a picture book for readers seven to nine. Recommended for readers nine and up with a sense of humor. 2003, Hyperion Books for Children, $15.99. Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Ann Philips (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7868-0559-5
Added 09/30/07
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