3-D Paper Crafts

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Readers familiar with Michael Cutting’s The Little Crooked Christmas
Tree, Edith Newlin Chase’s Waters, and Joanne Oppenheim’s Have You
Seen Bugs? will undoubtedly recall the amazing paper sculptures by Ron
Broda that were used to illustrate those books. Now, in 3-D Paper
Crafts, Broda shares with youngsters the paper-sculpting techniques he
used to create his marvelous illustrations.

Following a listing of the needed “tools,” all of which could be
found around most homes, Broda describes the four basic sculpting
techniques he uses and then provides his middle- school audience with a
simple practice project. Would-be paper sculptors who have mastered the
fundamental procedures are then invited to undertake any of the 10
projects, which range from a butterfly to the space shuttle. A centre
section provides all of the necessary patterns for tracing, and each
project is accompanied by step-by-step instructions and color
photographs. Most of the projects contain a “Gift idea” box that
suggests ways to transform the completed paper sculpture into a
functional object. For example, Broda shows how the addition of an empty
toilet-paper roll can convert the “Totem Pole” paper sculpture into
a pencil holder.

Broda’s caution that each project can require up to half a day to
complete should alert the book’s users to consider both the attention
span of their audience and the time available.

A must purchase for school and public libraries, 3-D Paper Crafts also
belongs in the personal collections of teachers and youth-group leaders.
Highly recommended.