Creepy Crawlies

Review also includes Dinosaurs, 978-1406337815

Two stylish and tactile titles in the ‘Pocket Pop-ups’ series, each of which emerges from a compact little slipcase that fits in the palm of your hand, yet unfolds to an impressive two-arm-stretch 3-D frieze.  Both books behave like proper non-fiction with an introductory spread showing relative sizes and concluding with a glossary.  Simple text gives just enough information (on a hairy red-kneed tarantulas or a scary-looking giant hornet, a swooping pteranodon or lumbering diplodocus) to pick out salient points of interest on 12 different creatures, with pronunciation guidance for dinosaurs and Latin names for arthropods.  But it is the bold colours and strong line artwork combined with the paper cut-outs and concertina folding that make these titles so attractive, rather like a modern version of a Victorian chapbook crossed with William Nicholson.  Irresistible – more please Walker Books!