Paper Toy Books To Watch Out For (2010)

Two new paper toy books that you definitely shouldn't miss.

We Are Paper Toys: Print-Cut-Fold-Glue-Fun by Louis Bou, 208 pages, paperback, to be released on June 8, 2010.

Arranged by artists, "We Are Paper Toys!" is the most creative book of its kind available. From paper toy sketches and templates to final design layouts and finished products, each paper toy design features step-by-step instructions on how to create and personalize it. Toy designers and artists reveal why paper toys are so fun to create, how they have personalized their designs, and what suggestions they have for new toy makers. Best of all, design templates for each toy can be easily downloaded from the artists' websites so readers can print, cut, and fold their paper toys together themselves.

Papertoy Monsters: Make Your Very Own Amazing Papertoys! by Brian Castleforte, 124 pages, paperback, to be released on Sept. 23, 2010.

A breakthrough paper-folding book for kids—paper airplanes meet Origami meets Pokemon. Papertoys, the Internet phenomenon that’s hot among graphic designers and illustrators around the world, now comes to kids in the coolest new book. Created and curated by Brian Castleforte, a graphic designer and papertoy pioneer who rounded up 25 of the hottest papertoy designers from around the world (Indonesia, Japan, Australia, Italy, Croatia, Chile, even Jackson, Tennessee), Papertoy Monsters offers 50 fiendishly original die-cut designs that are ready to pop out, fold, and glue. The book interleaves card stock with paper stock for a unique craft package; the graphics are colorful and hip, combining the edginess of anime with the goofy fun of Uglydolls and other collectibles. Plus each character comes with its own back-story.

And the results are delicious: meet Pharaoh Thoth Amon, who once ruled Egypt but is now a mummy who practices dark magic in his sarcophagus. Or Zumbie the Zombie, who loves nothing more than a nice plate of brains and yams. NotSoScary, a little monster so useless at frightening people that he has to wear a scary mask. Yucky Chuck, the lunchbox creature born in the deepest depths of your school bag. Plus Zeke, the monster under your bed, Nom Nom, eater of cities, and Grumpy Gramps, the hairy grandpa monster with his very own moustache collection.