Origami Books

My daughter and I are fairly good at origami. We have found every item in this book to be impossible, even the supposedly easy "1 Star" items. The directions say things like "rabbit ear fold" but "rabbit ear fold" is not in the book. There is tons of little niggly folding (19 folds for the tail of a whale) that it seems they could do in fewer steps. They also don't tell you which part you are folding, so you can't use "the big picture" to do our folding when you don't understand the step-by-step directions.

I bought this book pretty recently and have liked the designs in it. John Montroll and Robert Lang have detailed out the steps really well in the book and has designs for everyone, from beginners to advanced folders. However, there are very few designs for beginners and therefore its a good idea to buy this book if you have a bit of experience in origami as most of the pretty designs are intermediate to complex in nature.

These designs all require square sheets of paper to start of with and you would need a minimum or 8" or larger to have a decent sized finished model. However, you could try with smaller sized sheet too. Papers which are both single side colored or dual colored can be used.

The book has 38 designs to choose from out of which 3 are extremely simple in nature, 15 intermediate, 13 complex and 7 are very complex by nature.

This is one of my favorite origami books of all time (and not just because I was in on its creation). Though there are some nice, reasonably simple models here, the target audience is the experienced folder. All models come from squares with no cutting necessary! This book includes some of my favorite models to fold including Dr. Lang's "Lionfish" (which makes a very nice topper for a non-traditional Christmas tree), John Montroll's Freshwater Angelfish (which looks exactly like the real thing!) and both author's contributions of Deep Sea Anglerfishes. The more intricate models, like the "Cuttlefish", crabs and "Blackdevil Anglerfish" require large paper (24"x24" at least) which you will need to prepare yourself. The paper for these models must also be fairly thin but also strong. I have gone to the expedient of making my own from scratch. If you are interested in making your own paper for origami check out Advanced Origami: An Artist's Guide to Performances in Paper by Michael J. LaFosse. For the most part, though, the models are well designed and reasonably well diagrammed.

The finished models in this book are great, they are clearly identifiable species, not just generic fish, crabs, etc.
What really makes the book stand out, however, are the folding sequences. The steps flow with a natural rythm, and every tricky step is clearly explained. Because the authors have created unique bases for each model, the results of a given step are often pleasantly surprising.
I have a pile of origami books, and this is my favorite so far by a pretty wide margin. When I finish folding everything in it, I will probably fold them all again because they are so much fun.

This superb book contains an enormous range of origami models representing various forms of sea life. These range from sea urchins and starfish through to the Blackdevil Angler Fish and the almost impossible to fold Chambered Nautilus Shell. I have in my time folded most of the models and my favourites include the Angler Fish, Goldfish and the Murex shell which is wonderful in a textured foil.

Most of the models will require some folding experience, even the easier ones and the most difficult ones like the Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin and Blackdevil Angler Fish are really for experts only, but most folders of intermediate level and upwards will find something to enjoy. It is definitely a book which will help you to develop your folding skills but be sure to have plenty of paper on hand!

Each section includes an interesting introduction to the natural history of the life forms it is covering and the book is well laid out with clear computerised diagrams. It's an origami book I've come back to again and again over the years and which remains one of my treasures. I recommend it.

Let me begin by saying that this book is not for beginners. It is geared to those who have enough experience in the art to have developed the designer's bug. Having said this, the diagrammed models alone are worth the price of the book. It includes Dr. Lang's fantastic 'Tree Frog'. But the beauty of this book is that not only does he show you how to fold the frog, but he also shows you how he designed it. The same chapter includes diagrams for a 'simple' lizard which you are then encouraged to modify yourself to give it toes, eyes, etc. The later chapters are full of complex mathematics, but this should not deter the serious designer. Nor is it necessary to understand the math to fold the models. An exception to this is the 'Koi' with scales which is shown on the cover. This beast has over 900 individually folded scales and Dr. Lang leaves it up to the reader to figure out the measurements (though he does show you how to fold the fish without scales). But the extra work is worth the time since the entire model is from a single square, albeit one which should be 36"x36" and relatively thin paper. Again, this is not a book for the beginner, but any true enthusiast will appreciate it no end. And if you want to use the "Circles and Rivers" method for creating, Dr. Lang has made his pioneering shareware "TreeMaker" and "ReferenceFinder" available at his website.

Origami Design Secrets has all you could ask for in an advanced origami book. Robert Lang sequentially describes origami folding strategies and techniques, guiding the reader toward a wonderfully full understanding of paper-folding, and encouraging the reader to be creative with the tools he presents. This text also includes diagrams for some incredibly beautiful (and challenging!) models, such as an orchid blossom, a fully-scaled koi, a western pond turtle, and a full-blown cuckoo clock. As a student, I can think of no better way to spend a winter break than sitting by the fire and slowly unraveling this 585-page marvel.

Everyone folds something in their childhood. There are lots of recipe books but i never got interested in origami until i accidentally saw Lang's video. What excites me is this amazing dimension of origami that the book introduces you to, not just the art, not just the mathematics, but what goes behind the design of a model, and how to design your own model. So this is not another recipe book. Worth every penny you spend on it and much more.
The book is well organized and easy to read but it is not a bed time folding instruction. If you're a serious folder you will enjoy it. Only problem i have with the book is that at a couple of places the instruction is not very clear and a requires some extra effort to understand which could have been put in better words. Other than that the book is a gem.

I am a novice in origami. And I do not understand anything in Lang's book.
He just does not care to explain the "simple" stuff. Therefore, there is
no take-off for a novice! --- Too bad.

Book is in excellent shape, is full of awesome information, arrived very quickly and overall, I'm psyched. THanks.

Although Lang's Origami Insects & Their Kin is several years old, it still stands as the premier origami book, and it still is a masterpiece because it offers many detailed true-to-life models; two spiders, butterfly, dragonfly, ant..., and ends with a scorpion, and for around $11.00, this book is a steal.

I did fold one model from the book, nope, not the ant, LOL! but the praying mantis, and it turned out great, just like the real thing, so much so, that I almost squashed it. Wait! I think I did squash it, Ha Ha Ha!!

I was able to fold one of the models in this book (the ant.) I aspire to fold the others someday, after much, much more practice with easier books. They look really cool, so they give me a goal to aim for, but I am not certain if I will ever get there.
Five stars because they are great designs.

Out of all the books in my collection; this is the only book i still haven't completed all the projects. All projects in this book are for Advanced skilled. Most require complex folds that takes much time and effort to complete. The results are INSANE! The level of detail of these bug is unreal. Mine have been mistaken for real bugs on several occasions.

Anyone feeling like they want to take it to the second... or third level this is a must to have!

This book is the best one for the paperfoldinging advanced beginners, this have many advanced origami and the results are very great.

I see I'm in the minority on this book, and I'm sure I'll get a bunch of "unhelpful" votes from people disagreeing with my opinion, but I found this book really frustrating for the amount of steps that are just so difficult to get through. To be honest, until I got this book, I'd never really had major difficulties with any origami I've done, I've been folding for over 30 years, I had even folded Lang's previous monster the Cuckoo Clock from The Complete Book of Origami, Montroll's Stego and other such complex models. I've done plenty of insects before (I loved the mantis in his Origami Zoo book) but a fair number of the ones in this book just drove me nuts. There just is not enough explanation of quite a few of the intermediate steps. He often has very nice, detailed explanations of some of the later steps, but just skims over earlier ones that end up being rather inexplicable as a result. There are just a lot of places where I just totally had no idea at all how he was getting from one step to the next. I'd try such models again and get stuck in the middle again, and I personally just do not find that enjoyable to put so much time into something only to get totally stuck and unable to continue. Sure, it happens once in awhile regardless...but with this book it became commonplace. Are the models in this book top-noptch, highly detailed and realistic insects? When successfully folded, absolutely. But for me, what makes an origami book great is the ability to take extremely complex, interesting models (which this book most certainly has) and diagram them in such a way that a reasonably competent folder can accomplish them with a concerted effort 90+% of the time. And this book definitely missed that mark, so I simply cannot give it as high a rating as I had hoped.

I'd certainly recommend you avoid this book until you have quite a few years of experience folding and can easily handle any type of model, and advanced steps like reverse folded sinks, etc. But I'd also suggest you consider whether you are the type of folder that doesn't mind spending an hour or two on something and have nothing to show for it, but is able to move on and try again (and again and again...) Or if you mind having models that you really want to do, and just cannot figure out. It frustrates me to no end that this book of all the ones I own I simply am not able to figure out all the models in. I am used to messing up a model on the first try once in awhile but there are models in this book I tried several times and honestly felt like I just could do over and over and still not figure out. I personally just don't have quite that level of perseverance, so this book tends to sit on my shelf while I do other, not necessarily easier models, but ones that at least I know I will be able to complete successfully.

Excelleng book on modular origami. Very well detailed and good explanations. It is not necessary, but it helps to be comfortable with basic and intermediate folding techniques.

looks good sounds good read well but ive seen better, i do recommend to the high commited

Tomoko Fuse is one of the best known names in origami, and modular forms seems to be the hottest current area. She takes her work seriously, she states, always trying to create the most perfect folds. I am a beginner with a casual interest in moderately complex figures, so this book is way above my interest, commitment and skill level. The large number of black-and-white photos and diagrams also index this as a book for the serious origami hobbyist.

I have had this book for about 5-6 years now and IT'S A MESS! By that I mean, dog-eared, folded, written in, you get the idea. This is absolutely my favorite of the many origami books I have. It introduced me to modular origami back when I was just making boxes and cranes. The instructions are excellent and I have made so many models for gifts, decorations, you name it! Fuse's models decorate my bookshelf and have delighted many of my friends and family members. This book is definitely for more experienced folders, however I do have a friend that borrowed the book and had never done origami before, and he used some of Fuse's methods to build an amazing bridge of his own creation. You can use the methods to create models in the book as well as your own pieces of art. I HIGHLY recommend this book and any other written by Tomoko Fuse.

I appreciate Tomoko Fuse's work because her designs are simple, yet elegant, and they are very clearly explained and diagrammed. She approaches her subject in such a manner than she manages to demystify it so that the reader isn't too intimidated to attempt a project. Hers is the first name I turn to when I'm ready to move on to other techniques, designs, or styles. This book was no different in that regard. It is, as the name implies, instruction on creating multiple UNITS that will then be assembled into different shapes and designs. For that reason, I would say it is defintely for a dedicated enthusiast, as it definitely takes some patience to connect some of these units in a way that will leave the final model smooth and unblemished. However, this is the case with any modular or unit style origami, and not specific to Tomoko's work. If anything, she manages to take some of the mystery out of it in the process and even include encouragement where necessary. I enjoyed her little snippets of insight into her method and approach, as well as her deep admiration and reverence for the craft in general, which comes through in these writings. I fold paper because it gives me a sense of peace and satisfaction through accomplishment. Each new project is a tiny little victory when completed, and works as well for me as meditation. These many different units and connecting them in fun and different ways is certainly fulfilling for those who have that constant inner urge to fold, and then not knowing what to do with tons of cranes, birds, and boxes, etc., that you've created. I just fold different kinds of units over and over, then when I'm ready, I can attempt to connect them later on. There are enough different units and ways to connect them that I am stimulated for hours on end with no end in sight yet. If you are just beginning to fold, I would hold off on this book until you get used to something simpler, like her book "Origami Boxes."

As a homeschool parent and teacher this book has been a wonderful resource. My nine year old son, Jack, and I love using it. I tell all my homeschooling friends about it as well as friends whose children struggle with math in school. When I asked Jack about a review, he said, "You must tell everyone that I love this hands on approach!" I also tutor a young lady who admitted that she hated math, but I convinced her to have a go by using Math in Motion and she now loves to fold, feels she can can attempt a math problem without falling apart and is open to a hands on approach to learning about place value,which we have just started. Thank you, Ms Pearl

The content of this book was rich with so many ideas.
It can be used as a springbooard for numerous
hands-on activities--great for kids of all ages, full of
practical and fun concrete methods to demonstrate
abstract concepts especially for specail education
students. The multicultural expericence integrates
a variety of prosocial behaviors that supports
how other cultures contribute to our society.

I purchased Math in Motion for my first semester of student teaching. One of the students in the Learning Support Class has Asperger's Syndrome. He was especially agitated and noncooperative and the only thing he responded to was when I started to do origmai. He was fascinated with the Jumping Frog and the movements and the patterns. Now I use it as a reward. It helps him to calm down and focus on the activities. I let him choose something else from the book and next we are going to fold the Whale. It has become the highlight of our day!

Although I am neither a teacher nor a grade schooler, I found exceeding pleasure, while reading "Math in Motion," in brushing up on aspects of math that I had long ago forgotten. But beyond the math, I thoroughly enjoyed making the origamis depicted in the book. While using this book to create each of the origamis, I found the instructions easy to both read and follow. (Of course, the spiral binding is yet another much-appreciated feature.) I had never been successful in Japanese paper folding before in my 60+ years, even though I had attempted it several times, and so it was exciting for me to complete my very first origami!
Written primarily as a teacher's guide, I still highly recommend "Math in Motion" for anyone between the ages of 5 and 105! If you are looking for a way to spend a marvelous afternoon at home, I suggest purchasing, reading, and using "Math in Motion." The author, Barbara Pearl, is a jewel! Thank you, Barbara, for this wonderful gift - a book to treasure, to use, and to share with friends and family alike.

Several years ago I never would have bought a book or attended a workshop like Math in Motion because I did not think it was relevant. But from the moment we started, Ms. Pearl made us all feel so comfortable-an ideal environment for learning, especially a subject like mathematics, which may be stressful. I wanted to create the same atmosphere and remove the fear element from learning mathematics. The workshop experience made us feel like we were a team. I felt like I could do anything. And it gave me the motivation to try more. Ms. Pearl's book outlines lesson plans that support NCTM Standards and has teaching scripts and tips for developing a warm and inviting hands-on learning environment that is educational and fun. The multidisciplinary approach connects math to other subjects including reading, science, and social studies. The step-by-step directions are clear and easy to follow. Multicultural activities teach an appreciation of other cultures from exploring tangrams to writing Haiku. The three most exciting words from my students were, "I did it!" I think this is also great for building kids' self-esteem. The book encourages you to have students write down on their paper manipulatives math vocabulary that helps them to remember it--younger kids can trace the place with their fingers as they say it. Now, I know that math is not BAD. When adults feel good about what they are teaching, children will feel better too. I know this book will help you create a room where children (and adults too) will love to come to learn and grow.

I collect Origami books. Each book has something new. This one does too but I mostly buy it for some of the known folds such as Kawasaki Rose.

The origami collected in the book is very interesing. Also the instruction is as detail as everyone-can-do. The only cons is the instruction is on the back of the paper you use for the origami, which means either you have to figure out a way to follow the instruction during the process, or you use other paper.

This is one of the best origami books ever written. My all-time favourite model John Montroll's Goose which I have made hundreds of times is included, along with the wonderful and now classic Rose by Kawahata, David Brill's lidded box and transparent bottle, a series of twist folded cubes and many other beautiful and stylish paperfolds too numerous to list here.

The models are not for the complete beginner but will for the most part require some experience at intermediate level and the book is a good graduation point if you wish to move on to more advanced work.

The book has stood the test of time - the original edition was first published in Japanese in 1985 and then in English in 1987 - and is as fresh and exciting to read today as it was then. I cannot recommend this book too highly.

I recently got this book for my birthday, and months from now, I'm still doing much of it. I've made nearly all of the models, and even did one of the 300 sonobe units modulars. I've tried the stegosaurus, and I'm starting to be able to clean new ones. Everything I do astounds my classmates in various classes.

Even though I've been told I'm crazy, I started the 900 unit sphere with a couple friends, and we have over 150 units put together.

This book has some models for beginners, but I'd say it's more for intermediate-advanced folders. The rose is defintely one to try, although it took me a couple tries just to get it. This is my current favorites origami book out of at least 10. A definite must-buy.

I have been reading this book and folding models every night since I bought it! It serves as a great introduction into some more advanced folding techniques. The models are very interesting and the directions are easy to follow. The book is structured like a reference book and easy to use. The pictures inside are 2 tone, but high quality.

I love this book! I especially appreciate the photos included with the projects in all different stages. I will use this book again and again.

I've never done paper mache before and I wanted to make a "Monster under the bed" for a Halloween prop. The book is very easy to understand and follow. It took less than two weeks to make the project and it came out much better than I could of ever imagined. I would highly recommend this book!!!

I am 36 years old and I came across this book when I was in college. I grabbed it up and immediately started in creating my own screamers, using the wonderful photos in the book for inspiration. In no time my apartment was crawling with weird creatures from my imagination. Soon I had too many and had to give them away to friends...they are totally unique gifts. The author of the book provides everything you need: complete supply lists, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions with photos, color images of finished screamers to help jump-start your own creativity, plus there is the added bonus of the writer's tounge-in-cheek writing. Making screamers would be fun for anyone at any age. Buy this book and let out you inner monster!

When I first saw a copy of this book back in '85, I thought it was a really great idea, but I never had time to actually build one. The thought was tucked away in the depths of my memory, however, awaiting the opportunity to be explored and applied. Fast forward to 2000. I was in a puppet troupe for the city of Orlando, Florida, and was required to build sets and props for an original show set in ancient Egypt. A large statue of Bas-tet, the cat goddess, was needed and that old thought jumped to the front of my brain. A quick online session to Amazon.com and a couple of weeks later, I had a new copy of Dan Reeder's Simple Screamer aquiring drips of glue while I created the statue. Great project. Great book.

Before I ordered "The Simple Screamer", I thought this book was going to be flimsy magazine-paper type book. But, I was mistaken (for the better), this book's paper cover, is of a very hard-wearing variety and the pages are of good paper and the photographs very clear. I should also note that the directional photographs are black-&-white, but that does not hinder the information provided through them and no problems should arise because of this.

The directions Dan Reeder provides are easily understood and at times quite funny (there are all sorts of little things that he manages to include that tweak my funny bone, just look at the "items needed" page at the front of each chapter. I also particularly enjoyed looking at his own creations, in full color at the back of the book, they are full of creativity and have inspired many "screamers" from me.

Although there are an infinite types of screamers you could make following the directions in this book, I would also recommend getting the sequel, "Make Something Ugly, For a Change" that book will teach you a lot more techniques for making Screamers, although purchasing it is not necessary (but I highly recommend it all the same!)

Making Screamers is lots of fun, but I probably should lend a few cautionary notices. Some stages can be quite tough, especially the ones with clothes hangers, so completing a Screamer may take a couple days for there are many steps, some of them very hard. Also, I would recommend very strong masking tape for making Screamers, along with an abundance of patience. I have also found that making Screamers with your friends is much more fun than doing it in solitude. There are many more laughs, more patience, and a much more light-hearted attitude (although the downside to group Screamer-making is some unaccountable urge from all to make lame "pun" jokes, so beware).

BOTTOM LINE: Buy this book! Make a Screamer!

The stars are easy to make and I used them as rewards for my kids when they were little and then as a prayer star when they were older and could make their own. It is also a good interduction to origami for kids.

This is such a sweet little craft with everything included to make a bucket full of stars in many colors for cards, packages, scrapbooks, room decorations, jewelry, etc. So much fun to make and easy to follow instrunctions. A great gift idea.

Those cool little thingies. The Klutz "Wishing Stars" pack is one of the best (and most original) craft books out there. For something so simple, they do cause a lot of amusement. Who figured out how to fold these stars anyway? All of my friends want to know where and how I learned the directions to make the pretty, little things. Thanks Klutz, we've certainly had some fun times with them!

Once upon a time I was wondering around the streets of Chinatown in San Francisco and I saw a store that sold strips of cool colored paper and I thought to myself "I have no earthly idea what this could be used for... I must purchase some..." and did so promptly...

Never did a thing with them...

Fast forward to finding "Wishing Stars: Everything You Need to Make 100 Tiny Origami Stars" by the always brilliant Klutz wizards... And not only did I suddenly know exactly what to do with the strips of paper... I was in star making heaven...

The instructions seemed very clear to me, which is saying a lot since I'm dyslexic... Sure, it takes you a couple of good run throughs to get the feel of "star making," but once you get it, you'll be whipping them out in seconds... They're a very Zen way to pass time... I've made stars on airplanes, in cars, in nightclubs while bored, on trains and in restaurants as a cute addition to a tip...

I think most people would find this kit to be as star-tastic as I did, it just takes a little patience...

I got this for Christmas one year and I absolutely fell in love with them. I used to have a friend that would make these little stars but I was never able to make them every time she tried to teach it to me. Then one day I moved across the country so i was never able to learn. I then found this book on the internet and I knew I had to have it! Klutz just made it so simple and I liked that you could put your paper on the pictures to see if you were doing it right! I was so exicted when I got this that I brought it to school to show my friends. At lunch all we did was make stars it was so much fun! Thanx again klutz!

While introducing children to the art of origami, this charming book tells a unique story that speaks about freedom and friendship as it quietly draws the reader in. We see a man and a bird, both drawn to the perfection of an art form, both with an eye to the elegance of detail. But the bird's skill excels the man's. In his quest for answers, the man imprisons the bird, and in so doing causes the loss of what is most valued. And when the bird escapes through a surprising twist in the story, the man feels a great sense of loss. But through his loss, he also experiences appreciation, and the two are finally united. With beautiful simplicity, the story unfolds in a way that is original, thoughtful, unexpected, and sweet. This book is something that parents hope to find, and something that will delight any child. It is a treasure and belongs on everyone's bookshelf, to be read again and again, and, hopefully, to become a classic.

The first time I read this book to my daughter, she made me read it four times in a row. She was mesmerized by the lovely pictures, and the charming story of the origami master and the warbler. Has an important message that we talked about. When I came home that night, there were five origami figures on my table that she had apparently asked the babysitter to make with her! LOVED THIS BOOK

This book is great for parent and child. I highly recommend it. Both the story and illustrations are excellent. In addition to reading, your child will become interested in origami if they are not already - so you had better start practicing your technique.

The Origami Master captivated my 8 year old son and 11 year old daughter. A zen-like read but not a quiet story, this picture book has it all: mystery, emotion and surprising turns told in sparse, moving language. A rare treat that makes for a perfect read aloud. The Origami Master is masterful.

I harbored great resentment towards origami as a child. Essentially I was the kind of kid who'd harbor resentment against any trade, skill, or hobby in which I lacked basic essential skills. And for a kid who couldn't so much as fold a paper airplane without detailed instructions, origami seemed like some kind of cruel joke. Here's a piece a paper... foldity, foldity, foldity, foldity, voila! Instant paper monkey! Yet while I did not like the art itself, I would not have minded reading about origami had there been any picture books written about it. Maybe there were. Maybe my library shelves growing up were full of such stories, but if so they somehow eluded me. One book that hasn't eluded me in the present day, however, is Nathaniel Lachenmeyer's "The Origami Master". Surprisingly funny and visually arresting this book is nothing so much as a small present from a small publisher. Like an origami creation itself, Lachenmeyer and artist Aki Sogabe have produced something small, meticulous, and ultimately charming.

Shima the Origami Master keeps to himself on the side of a tall Japanese mountain . His days are spent peacefully enough, folding origami papers into little creatures of his own making. One day a warbler sitting in a tree happens to see what Shima is doing and that night it folds the papers in much the same manner. This might be cute except for the fact that the warbler is a much better origami artist than the man. Its elephants are "simpler and more beautiful". And when Shima switches to dragons, the next night he finds a far superior version on his table that "looked like it was about to come to life and fly back to its lair." Increasingly frustrated Shima spies on his table the next night only to see the warbler improving on his origami spider design. Determined to get its secrets for himself, Shima traps the bird in a cage and leaves it lots of paper. However the warbler refuses to do anything but pine for its tree. And when the man falls asleep, he awakes to find the warbler gone and an origami key sitting by the cage. Fearful that he has frightened the bird away, Shima goes outside to find it making a nest in his tree and in gratitude he creates an origami nest, "for the friend he had made and almost lost." Instructions for making your own origami bird follow at the end of the book.

I love being surprised by a picture book. If an author can write a story in a mere 32 pages that goes in an unexpected direction then I am floored. And when the man woke to find that the bird escaped its cage by making an origami key, that's when I tipped my hat. Artist Aki Sogabe was also clearly amused by the idea since the key in question is not a dark gray or blue but a bright and vibrant pink. A slightly brighter shade than the cherry blossoms where the warbler makes its home. Right off the bat I was also rather charmed by the cover and title of this book. Without reading the story, anyone in their right mind would take one glance at the illustration and words and think that the "Master" in question would have to be the old man folding a dragon on the table. You don't even notice the small warbler nesting nearby, though it is clear that the bird is the better artist.

It was important to me that the warbler not be some kind of cartoony anthropomorphized creature haunting the man's tree. Fortunately Aki Sogabe must have felt the same way since the pictures here are nothing if not realistic. The publication page says that the illustrations were created with "cut paper and watercolor", which I wouldn't have necessarily have guessed. Sogabe weaves the cut paper elements seamlessly within the pictures. Sometimes an illustrator will utilize mixed media, and the foreign elements will veritably leap off the page (for good or for ill) and draw attention to themselves. When Sogabe chooses to use cut paper, however, you don't even consciously notice. Is the pillow that the man kneels on made of cut paper? What about the little origami pages? Sogabe has made the conscious choice to create a smooth seamless transition between her watercolors and the outside elements, and it works like a charm.

Of course, I was a little surprised to hear that watercolor was Sogabe's preferred painting choice since this book looks like nothing so much as a series of colored woodcuts. The thick lines of the man's thatched home or the bold strokes that make up the warblers body; these all seem to indicate a woodcut or printmaking technique. At the same time, Sogabe's vistas and landscapes where she sets her scenes are remarkably beautiful paintings. She gets the maximum amount of use out of distant hills and overlapping trees. Second and third readings of the book also reveal how elegantly she uses shadows. There is the shadow cast by the table when the man falls asleep and the bird is given its first opportunity to escape. There is the shadow of the man when he hides to find out who has been besting him at his own game. Each shadow highlights an important moment in the story but it's not something you'd necessarily think to look for.

I am happy to say that "The Origami Master" joins my other favorite origami themed picture book "Lissy's Friends" by Grace Lin. Together the two would make for a fabulous storytime or readaloud program (particularly if you wanted to finish the program by making some origami critters of your own with the kids). Deftly told in a lovely format, "The Origami Master" is a great example of a simple story paired with pitch perfect illustrations. A wonderful read and a wonderful find. A must for any collection.

I bought this book this past week, not really sure whether the "advanced" in the title of the book would put me off folding any of the projects within it. I tried the "Koi" as a first model from this book, and even tried my hands at wet folding! The result was great!!

The author has taken pains to explain the steps in detail and has even jotted down points for tweaking the end result and coming up with your own perfect little model.

This book has easily become one of my favorites and I enjoy folding the designs in it. It even has a section on making your paper. Tips on the sizes, colors as well as type of paper to use for folding each of the projects are clearly mentioned. The expected size of the final model is also given, which makes it a lot easier to choose.

The book contains instructions (in the form of diagrams) to fold the following models - north American cardinal, origamido butterfly, koi, sea turtle, squirrel, toco toucan, frog, ruby0throated hummingbird, goldfish, horseshoe crab, cattleya orchid, happy good-luck bat, big brown bat, praying mantis and the panther mask.

My favorite out of these is the cattleya orchid which is a dead ringer for an original, and with the right kind of paper and wet folding, you can do wonders with it!

This book is one for experienced folders and beginners should first try their hands at folding other models / easier stuff before attempting models from this book. The designs in this book range from intermediate to complex.

If you love origami and are keen on having an origami book collection or for that matter want to try your hands at some amazing life like deisgns, this book is a definite 'must-buy'. The designs in this, when combined with the right kind of paper can produce the most captivating models which will leave you satisfied after all the effort you have put it.

This author obviously has a passion for his art and the patterns and information are beautiful and well done.

This is my favorite origami book. I really am glad I made this purchase.This is one terrific backpack. Trust worthy seller. Will buy from again.

excelente libro de origami, aunque sea avanzado tiene esquemas muy claros y bien explicados.
La presentacion y los colores son muy buenos.
Los modelos a elaborar son muy creativos.
Recomiendo este libro 100%

I ordered this book expecting a collection of fairly advanced diagrams. I was particularly interested in the Cattleya orchid model and the frog, two of my favorite subjects to fold. I was very pleasantly surprised with the book for a number of reasons. The quality of the printing and binding is superb. The diagrams are easy to follow and very thorough. The information on how to produce your own paper to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing results for any model is very nice.
I do have a few very minor issues with the book. The first is that the models designed to be folded with duo colored paper do not have two-tone diagrams. Even though you may be folding with duo paper, it makes folding easier to have a diagram with a two-color scheme. The second issue is more of a personal one. To really achieve the best results from any of these models they need to be wet folded from handmade paper. Standard origami paper or paper foil simply will not produce the results you are looking for. That being said, I am very happy I purchased this book and would recommend it to any origami enthusiast.