Winter's Tale

I have several of Sabuda's wonderful Pop-Up books and each are exceptional in their own way.The only way to describe these books is by using words like,magical,romantic,fantastic,mythical,whimiscal,imaginary,curious,intricate,elegant and similar words that convey the imagination and skill Sabuda uses to conceive scenes then make them pop-up in a book as the pages are turned to unfold them.

Being winter scenes, he uses a lot of white, and covers it with glitter to give the effect of new-fallen snow on a cold winter's day.He also makes use of silver papers combined with colors to create magical scenes.

On first opening the book, we are startled by a Snowy Owl that seems to fly right off the page;and with the simple opening of a flap we find a family of mice greeting the day.Next we find a pair of foxes ,in their white winter coats sitting in their den ,and on the same page,with a simple flip appears a rabbit, also in his winter garb.Then a wonderful scene of a Polar bear and fish in glittering,ice cold water. Then we are treated to a scene of leaping bears and playful squirrels;followed by an elegant moose and a pair of beavers.And for a grand finale we have a wonderful,colorful forest,complete with animals ,snowman and friendly little house,and with the pull of a tab,the festive spirit comes alive with 12 flashing colored light.

The only thing,to me at least,that is more intriguing in how these scenes are designed;would be what the scene in the printing shop must be like where these books are printed and assembled.

On other Pop-Up books,I have commented on the fragile hinges these books have; and how prone to cracking and spliting they are. It seems that this problem has beed recognized and in this book a cloth spline and hinges have been incorporated;a positive improvement.

Yet another enchantment from Mister Sabuda. This is the fourth of his books that I've bought and each one seems more amazing. My first buy was The 12 Days of Christmas Anniversary Edition: A Pop-up Celebration and though brilliant it seems rather simple when compared to the Winter's Tale yet the format is the same, each spread has a dramatic pop-up and then the treat (on five of the six spreads in the book) of another pop-up hidden on the right-hand page.

The paper used is basically white but this throws up the selection of other surfaces, a white stock with a snow like glitter, two different silvers, acetate (used for a waterfall effect) and several flat graphic colors. As with the other four books I have Sabuda leaves the big surprise to the last spread, here it is a charming woodland setting with a house in the center complete with snowman and all the animals featured in the story. This pop-up is just stunning in itself but wait there's more, pull an arrowed tab and a series of six colored lights flash in sequence on each side of the house's roof. Just magical!

The flashing lights are the icing on the cake for me and possibly tough luck for Robert Sabuda because in his next book he has to top this extravaganza. (How about adding sounds Robert?) Incidentally take care with the pull tab for the lights, don't pull it too hard because to get it to work you'll have to remove a little plastic strip on the back cover to activate the batteries, then the tab will turn them off and on. Oh yes, you can replace the batteries, too.

This is another wonderful Sabuda pop up you are sure to enjoy. The book contains six two-page spreads, each with a large and awesome pop up. Five spreads also have a partial-page flap that reveals a second pop up. The last spread, instead of a flap, has a unique surprise.

The story is a bit simple, but it works for me. It is about taking a walk in the quiet winter world and seeing all the activity that is happening under the blanket of snow. It is the only area I can see anyone finding fault, perhaps wanting a more engrossing storyline to interest kids. But I think they will be entertained by the pop ups and talk about their own winter walks.

The book overall is done in outdoor wintry colors, white, blue, and purple with green and brown plant life. The pages and cover also have glittering snow (with texture) and silvery water. The pop ups are mostly white. The pop ups are really fabulous and convey the surprise and awe you might have if you were the one taking the walk and seeing these things.

The pop ups open and close with relative ease. I sometimes feel a deer catching as I carefully close one spread, but it is aligned correctly and requires more force closing it or, on the careful side, a slight poke to the deer.

For families, I see this as a book that gets tucked away in holiday boxes. It can be brought out as a special treat. Young kids will continue to enjoy it when they are older because it is a holiday tradition. This book will also appeal to pop-up collectors.

*SPOILER ALERT* DESCRIPTION OF POP UPS
-Flying snowy owl, mice in a tree
-Foxes in a cave, leaping rabbit
-Bear hunting in stream near waterfall, fish leaping from water
-Deer frolicking, squirrels collection nuts
-Moose (turkey hiding in fallen tree), beavers
-FINALE-Glowing Christmas lights (when you pull the tab) on a little cottage surrounded by trees and most of the animals spied on the walk

The creativity that went into this work is undeniable...Sabuda's illustration and pop-ups are not only intricate, but dazzling. A perfect gift-giving book as we approach the holiday season.

This work, inspired by Sabuda's journeys through the snowy fields of Michigan as a child is awe-inspiring, and a delight for adults as well as children. Each turn of the page will dazzle you, but the highlight is a surprise pull that comes at the end of the book, and is truly a "how did he do that" moment. Beautiful nature scenes, incredible snowscapes, and simple yet elegant text.

This is worth buying two of...one to immediately enjoy, and one to tuck away as a gift to a future generation. AWESOME stuff.

The reigning master of the pop-up book, Robert Sabuda, has given us another masterpiece for Christmas this year. "Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-Up Journey" presents a beautiful winter wonderland filled with creatures big and small. It includes six main pop-up spreads, most with additional small pop-ups. Sabuda said he based this one on the snowy woods of Michigan, where he and his father used to walk when he was a boy.

Most of the pop-ups themselves are white -- after all, it is snowy -- but they are surrounded by bright colors and lots of glitter, foil and acetate to represent ice and special effects.

A bear, deer, squirrels, mice and an owl pop out as you read; an impossibly tall moose rises from the pages and salmon jump among spinning rapids. And on the last page, the colored lights on the snowed-in cottage light up.

It's wonderful!

This is a beautiful pop-up book. Each page features incredibly elaborate cut-out scenes that pop-up when the page is opened. Winter's Tale will excite children and provides a jumping off point for telling stories. The text is brief and describes the scene in a couple of sentences, but this is an opportunity rather than a limitation.

Your children will be delighted to read this book with you.

I work as a substitute teacher and shared this book all through the winter months with my students. What a treat to watch a severely sight-challenged child gently run her hands around the exquisite art work! Other students, of all ages, delighted in the details on each of the pages. And because I could make the last page light without the children noticing that I was pulling the tab, they would respond with awe! It is now May. I was tickled in my return to a classroom this week, when a young boy's excitement to see me turned to disappointment after he learned I didn't have any of my Robert Sabuda books with me. You will not be disappointed in this work!

This is another of Robert Sabuda's enchantments. 'Winter's Tale' evokes winter snow and cold with its predominately white, glitter, and icy foil sculptures. If you have seen others of Sabuda's popup books you know they are not for young children to play with. The delicate and intricate constructions can be easily damaged by careless handling and the text is better enjoyed by older readers. In this one, winter creatures pop out with each turn of the page: deer, fox, a moose, a bear, an owl, and of course there are the smaller creatures who live in the page pockets. The last page delivers an unexpected surprise. I am a great fan of all of Sabuda's popup books. I enjoy them over and over. One cannot help but be entranced by the beauty he has created and amazed at his artistic vision. Like his previous books, this one is beautiful!

This book is a great book for learning what animals do in the winter. It is a really good book that I think should have won for the Caldecott Award. The snow looks beautiful with the ice and sparkles. It looks like a sure winner. Winter in these pop-ups look amazingly real. This is such an artistic and decorative and original book. It is one of a kind. It is really something. The story for the book is full of detail and is great. This book should have won the Caldecott Award. We loved this book!

This book should win the Caldecott! The pop-ups in this book are great. The colors in this book are great. The pop-ups are very detailed and colorful. The last page is really great because it shows the whole scene and the house in the center lights up with pretty colors. The illustrations weren't the only things that great, the story was cute, too. This book is really a good book for all ages

This book is a great book for learning what animals do in the winter. It is a really good book that I think should have won for the Caldecott Award. The snow looks beautiful with the ice and sparkles. It looks like a sure winner. Winter in these pop-ups look amazingly real. This is such an artistic and decorative and original book. It is one of a kind. It is really something. The story for the book is full of detail and is great. This book should have won the Caldecott Award. We loved this book!

This book should win the Caldecott! The pop-ups in this book are great. The colors in this book are great. The pop-ups are very detailed and colorful. The last page is really great because it shows the whole scene and the house in the center lights up with pretty colors. The illustrations weren't the only things that great, the story was cute, too. This book is really a good book for all ages

This is truly the most beautiful book that I have ever seen - and it's for kids! Each page is gorgeous, the story is simple enough for the little guys, and the house lights on the last page really are amazing. Only one thing...there should be instructions about pulling the tab off the back in order for the house to light. I got this information from a customer review, so I was all set, but it would have been a problem otherwise. A most wonderful gift.

The pop-up artwork in this book is fabulous! How Sabuda can do such delicate work I will never know, but I do know I will be buying more of his books to put up on my shelf. It is fascinating for me and the kids to see the 'creation' pop up right off the page. A+ book. The last page even has a house that lights up!

"Winter's Tale" is a spectacular and original pop-up story. The themes are actually very suitable as an addition to the Christmas tree decorations. We will be keeping "Winter's Tale" under the tree. I and my sister will have the fun of changing all the six scenes - a different page for each day.

We like pop-up books. Our most favorite pop-up story is Cinderella: A Pop-Up Fairy Tale by Matthew Reinhart. We had it under the Christmas tree last year. My recommendation for older kids is Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 2 - a touching, lovely story about family of cats and their incredible adventures.

THIS book is an awe-inspiring artistic journey that will definitely delight children of all ages. The artwork is beyond breathtaking! It makes for the most beautiful gift for the holiday season. Dazzling and exceptional!

The intricacy of the cut-outs is stunning; the artistry of the whole book is amazing. My son loved this book when he received it as an Xmas gift. We will enjoy it every year for years to come, I am certain.

This remarkable, enchanting book is a work of art. It dazzles the reader with its beautiful three-dimensional and intricate pop-up creatures and scenery, warm prose and unexpected surprises on every page. For anyone who can delight in the joy of childhood wonder, this amazing creation will be a joy to the senses. Robert Sabuda is a magician - an adult with a heart and soul that is ageless and who is in touch with the child within. For the young of heart of all ages, this book is a treasure.

Once again the stylized originality of Sabuda has enchanted us all! This is a beautifully executed work of art that both children and adults will enjoy. A must have to remind the child in all of us of what a beautifull and magical season winter can be!

We so enjoyed sharing this book with the grandchildren for whom it was intended. The pop ups in here are so unique. The story just pops out as though things are alive. We have quite a collection of these types of books but this one is one of the best.

The product itself is a superior concept, design and execution.

On the last page there is a lit house for which the swich was BROKEN, INOPERATIVE ON ARRIVAL. (I dont mean the security swich in the outside of the cover. Imre