How to make pop-up books? 5 Best books for pop-up book design

There are quite a lot of books about how to make pop-up books, but I select some ones with 4-star above reviews on Amazon for your reference. These how-to books surely cover popular topics, including pop-up book techniques and pop-up book templates.

1. The Elements of pop-up
By James Diaz and David A. Carter (1999)

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0689822247

This title, to my best knowledge, is the best-selling of its kind. 

James Diaz and David A. Carter teach you 44 techniques of paper engineering in 3 categories: folds, wheels and pull-tabs. Every technique is informatively illustrated and physically demonstrated in a flip-flap. You will see the kinetics of the technique and how it works.

"The Elements of pop-up" is simply a must-have for anyone who loves pop-up books or intends to learn paper engineering for designing pop-up cards or books.

2. Pop-Up Design and Paper Mechanics

By Duncan Birmingham (2019)

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1784945145

The sub-title to this book is "How to make folding paper sculpture." In which case, this book provides 14 project templates for you to put 18 foundation shapes and 9 building techniques into practice.

3. Cut and Fold Techniques for Pop-Up Designs

By Paul Jackson

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1780673271

As shown as the title of this book, it aims to unveil the combination of CUT and FOLD creates various pop-up techniques and effects. Templates of pop-up ideas are well illustrated to follow.

4. Paper Engineering for Designers
By FINCH KEITH (2013)
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0500517031

This book is very similar to "The Elements of Pop-Up", which may teach you a great number of pop-up techniques. Having said that, this book offers a pack of cardboard spare parts for you to physically assemble every single pop-up mechanism.

5. More Designs of Paper Folding for Pop-Up : Samples and Templates for Cards and Crafts
By Miyuki Yoshida
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-4756244659

It is rare to find a how-to book for pop-ups written by Japanese paper engineer. This is the 2nd book about pop-up techniques by Miyuki Yoshida. 15 pop-up works are bond together by two screws for easy removing. All templates of those works are available in the attached DVD.