Origami Zoo

Origami is a rare craft that can be enjoyed equally by both children and adults. Jackson, a professional paper artist, and Golan, an origami educator, have compiled a lovely collection of origami projects inspired by animals. Each project is presented with step-by-step instructions and illustrations, and all of the information needed to understand the shorthand used in the illustrations is fully explained in the introduction. The projects are organized from simple to advanced and include a variety of animals, both commonplace and fanciful. The book comes with origami paper, but information about sources for additional paper is provided. This fun collection is appropriate for children and adults.

Gr 1–6—Some of these 25 original animal models are stylized enough to require drawing an eye or some other identifying feature, but high-production values (aside from the bird, folded with duotone paper in the photo but a standard single color origami square in the instructions) and clear step diagrams give this collection particular appeal for beginners. With the exception of a monster finger puppet (held by inserting a finger into the monster's nose, which makes it a guaranteed hit with children), the models all represent familiar animals, from a koala that requires only four steps to a moderately challenging dinosaur that needs 42 (plus a scissor cut) to fold. Models are arranged in order of difficulty, all but seven being accurately rated either "Simple" or "Very Simple." Directions for each one open with a short comment and a color photo of a finished creature, followed by big, clear, monochrome diagrams that use standard origami notation with the occasional appearance of fingers or hands to demonstrate a manipulation. Prefaced with savvy basic advice for crafters and packaged with a generous 60 sheets of origami paper, this a menagerie that offers plenty of pleasing results for folding novices.—John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library