The 35+ Best Children’s Pop-Up Books
Pop-up books aren't just for kids; they're fun for all ages. With the ability to bring characters to life and create magical animations, some pop-up books are like pieces of art. Our curated list includes the best pop-up books for all ages, featuring bugs, sharks, and popular titles like Harry Potter and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Find the perfect pop-up book for everyone to enjoy!
Table of Content:
For Babies and Toddlers (0-2 years)
For Preschoolers (3-5 years)
For Early & Growing Readers (6 to 9 years)
Learn about the Fascinating World of Pop-Up
Fun Pop-Up Activities that Kids Will Love
Best Pop-Up Books for Babies and Toddlers
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, A Pull-Out Pop-Up
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the most popular children’s books ever created, this pop-up edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar literally pops off the pages of the book—crawling along branches, munching through food, and in one of the most memorable climaxes ever, emerging vibrantly as a three-dimensional beautiful butterfly. This is a stunning pop-up that fans of Mr. Carle’s work will not want to miss.
Goodreads Rating: 4.32
Ages: 2 – 6 years
2. The Wide-Mouthed Frog (A Pop-Up Book)
This laugh-out-loud funny pop-up book takes on a traditional American tale about a wide-mouth frog and is sure to delight, with each spread featuring a different animal. This book is colorful and cute. Each page is an interesting pop-up that will capture the imagination. I highly recommend every grandparent should get this. It is extra special enough to be at grandma's house. - Amazon review by Janet D.
Goodreads Rating: 4.28
Ages: 2 - 4 years
3. A Pop-Up Book of Nursery Rhymes: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up
Got this beautiful book for my parents to give their18 mth old great-grandson and it was a hit. It really is exquisite in the pop-up details. When a friend asked for a suggestion for her 2 yo nephew I knew exactly what to recommend. She shared that everyone loved it. You can’t go wrong gifting this book to a special child in your life. - Amazon review by MCM
Goodreads Rating: 4.63
Ages: 1 - 3 years
4. A is for Animals, An ABC Pop-Up Book
The book's original design, brightly colored letters, peek-a-boo flaps, and pop-up animal surprises are paired with a special cover treatment in this tenth-anniversary edition -- making A Is For Animals an enduring classic. Beautiful book...my grandkids enjoy it as much as I do! I will order more for future gifts. - Amazon review by Jo
Ages: 1 - 4 years
5. The Movable Mother Goose
Robert Sabuda's The Movable Mother Goose puts a new spin on traditional nursery rhymes as they come alive in a glorious explosion of color!
This pop-up extravaganza by award-winner Robert Sabuda is destined to become a new classic for all generations. For baby gift can't be beat. Sabuda's pop-up books are a wonderful way to start someone's library of books. - Amazon review by GR
Goodreads Rating: 4.20
Ages: 1 – 6 years
6. The Color Monster, A Pop-Up Book of Feelings
Excellent pop-up images. While I wouldn't call it an entertaining story, it works perfectly as a teaching tool. It separates and identifies a few core emotions in a way that toddlers can understand. Every time my 3-year-old wants to have a temper tantrum, he brings up the colors. "That really makes me red!" - Amazon review by Rachel
Goodreads Rating: 4.38
Ages: 2 - 4 years
7. Bedtime Bugs: A Pop-up Good Night Book
David A. Carter's zany bugs are here to help guide children through their nightly routines. The Bubbly Bugs are taking their baths, the Lullabug is reading a bedtime story, and the Twinkle Bug is shining bright to grant the wish you wish tonight! This interactive Bugs mini is sure to become a bedtime favorite.
Goodreads Rating: 4.42
Ages: 1 - 4 years
8. My Best Pop-Up Space Book
This is a great first book of space with minimal "pop-up" features! The pages unfold to basically double the page size, nothing too fancy, nothing to break by closing it too fast. It is full of cute information to start a curiosity about space. It has an annoyingly loud button on it for blasting off a rocket... So, if you planned on this being a bedtime book, be warned! I bought it for a 3-year-old, but my 6-year-old likes reading it too. - Amazon review by By Way of Mommy
Goodreads Rating: 4.34
Ages: 2 - 4 years
9. ABC3D
Prepare to be amazed. From the lenticular cover that changes with the angle of your hands all the way to the Z, ABC3D is as much a work of art as it is a pop-up book. Each of the 26 three-dimensional letters move and change before your eyes. The book is great with paper mechanics used on the alphabet. The book is small but the talent in it is incredible. I suggest any pop-up book lovers to get this small little book with great things inside of it. - Amazon review by Albert C.
Goodreads Rating: 4.36
Ages: 2 - 4 years
10. Cookie Count, A Tasty Pop-Up
Cookie Count is a mouth-watering book of lavish surprises -- a baker's bounty of ten pop-up spreads. Award-winner Robert Sabuda's intricate paper engineering, along with his whimsical art, creates a book that will be counted as a family favorite for years to come.
Goodreads Rating: 4.34
Ages: 2 - 4 years
11. Shells, A Pop-Up Book of Wonder
Along summer beaches, shells beckon with their timeless beauty and wonder. They provide protection for many ocean animals, populate colorful coral reefs, and sometimes surprise with a pearl inside! Fabulous interactive features and fun facts abound in this unique summertime pop-up book. The pop-ups are amazing and the artwork is incredible! My son and I love reading this and discovering all the information this book has to offer! - Amazon review by Angel
Goodreads Rating: 4.56
Ages: 3+ years
12. Pop-up Garden Board Book
Great book! My 9 months old loves it (but I have to be careful as he wants to touch and pull the pictures). There is a lot going on on every page and we can talk about different plants and animals. - Amazon review by AON
Goodreads Rating: 4.26
Ages: 1 - 3 years
Best Pop-Up Books for Preschoolers
13. One Red Dot: A Pop-Up Book for Children of All Ages
One Red Dot is a stunning tour de force from David A. Carter, the creator of the bestselling Bugs in a Box® book. Each of the ten magnificent pop-up sculptures challenges readers to find the one red dot. From the flip-flop flaps to the whimsical wiggle-wobble widgets, each page is an original piece of artwork to cherish and admire.
Goodreads Rating: 4.42
Ages: 2 - 10 years
14. Beautiful Oops!
An award-winning, best-selling, one-of-a-kind interactive book, Beautiful Oops! shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. A singular work of imagination, creativity, and paper engineering, Beautiful Oops! is filled with pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, tears, holes, overlays, bends, smudges, and even an accordion “telescope”—each demonstrating the magical transformation from blunder to wonder.
Goodreads Rating: 4.56
Ages: 2 - 6 years
15. The World Famous Book of Counting
Prepare to be amazed by this fabulously clever lift-the-flap, pop-up, pull-out book about numbers. Sarah Goodreau's magic-themed illustrations add a touch of nostalgia and vintage glamour to this fun and elegant counting book. With spectacular sorcery and sensational illusions, there's something here for magic lovers of all ages.
Goodreads Rating: 3.97
Ages: 3 - 7 years
16. Dr Seuss Pops Up
This super deluxe pop-up book celebrates seven of Dr. Seuss’s best-loved classics. This Seuss sampler highlights seven tried-and-true titles with some nifty paper engineering.
Goodreads Rating: 4.27
Ages: 3 - 7 years
17. The Jungle Book: A Pop-Up Adventure
In this stunning retelling of a phenomenal classic, honor is tested, battles of good over evil are waged, and the importance of family reigns supreme. All I can say is wow. We got this as a gift for our 3-year-old twin boys who love animals, jungle book, and pop-ups. This was the perfect gift for them and they love the pop-ups...which is truly impressive. Within the month we have had it, a few of the popups are damaged from rough use with 3yo boys, so we bought a second copy. - Amazon review by Bart
Goodreads Rating: 4.49
Ages: 2 - 6 years
18. Frozen, A Pop-Up Adventure
Featuring nearly 20 pop-ups from the New York Times best-selling author, artist, and pop-up master, Matthew Reinhart, this breathtaking work of art revisits the enduring story of Frozen. Elsa and Anna's remarkable adventure lives on in a magnificent display of paper engineering and artistic devotion. Frozen Pop-Up is a vibrant tribute to these beloved characters and teaches readers of all ages to let it go.
Goodreads Rating: 4.74
Ages: 3 - 5 years
19. Paddington Pop-Up London
This spectacular limited edition collector’s item contains six stunning illustrated pop-up scenes that have been taken directly from the smash hit family movie and lovingly recreated for Paddington fans.
Goodreads Rating: 4.59
Ages: 3 - 6 years
20. Believe, A Pop-Up Book of Possibilities
An ideal gift for graduates from kindergarten to college and beyond, Believe is the perfect way to celebrate life’s passages and look forward to new horizons. Such an amazing talent! Robert Sabuda is amazing and the book, while simple is so beautiful that it is worth the price. My students LOVE his books! - Amazon review by Sandra W.
Goodreads Rating: 4.30
Ages: 3 - 8 years
21. In the Butterfly Garden
This delightful and ingenious pop-up book traces a caterpillar’s evolution from a lowly cocoon to a magnificent winged butterfly. Very artistic and surprisingly detailed. I absolutely loved it! The writing is a little hard to read because it’s dark, but the pop-ups are the best I’ve ever seen. - Amazon review by Greg
Goodreads Rating: 4.16
Ages: 4 - 8 years
22. Leaves, An Autumn Pop-Up Book
Readers of all ages will enjoy the timeless wonder of autumn leaves in this amazing new pop-up book from paper engineer Yoojin Kim. I started out looking for a pop-up, fairytale book for my 6yr old granddaughter, and before I knew it, I was sucked into the world of pop-ups. They are a magical kind of art. I found myself mesmerized by their delicate, sculptural quality, and soon I was looking just for me! This book is one of the most beautiful I've seen. I highly recommend this book. - Amazon review by Maggie W.
Goodreads Rating: 4.34
Ages: 3 - 8 years
23. Under the Ocean
This book is only about 10 pages, but you'll get lost in each one. The pop-up effect is wonderful, and the tall format lets you feel like you're really exploring the ocean with your kiddo. One of our favorite books for storytime! Amazon review by Gregory B.
Ages: 4+ years
24. Shells, A Pop-Up Book of Wonder
Along summer beaches, shells beckon with their timeless beauty and wonder. They provide protection for many ocean animals, populate colorful coral reefs, and sometimes surprise with a pearl inside! Fabulous interactive features and fun facts abound in this unique summertime pop-up book.
Goodreads Rating: 4.56
Ages: 4+ years
Best Pop-Up Books for 6-9 Years Old
25. Pop-Up Volcano!
My son (4) is a little obsessed with volcanoes these days and this pop-up was a perfect bday gift! He went to school and explained to his class that lava is called magma when it’s inside the volcano - his teachers got a kick out of it. - Amazon verified review
Goodreads Rating: 4.57
Ages: 6 – 8 years
26. ABC Pop Up
Simple and stylish, ABC Pop-Up is an elegant choice for anyone who appreciates artful design, as well as the perfect alphabet learning tool for little hands. Bought it as a gift for a pre-k kid whose mom happened to be a visual artist. Both recipients are very happy with the selection. - Amazon review by K.Z.
Goodreads Rating: 4.42
Ages: 5 - 9 years
27. Bugs, A Stunning Pop-Up Look at Insects, Spiders and Creepy-Crawlies
A fascinating pop-up journey into the hidden world of insects, spiders, and other creepy-crawlies. I bought this book for my 8 years old nephew’s birthday and it was such a hit! He has never seen a pop-up book (probably because his eyes are always glued to an iPad) so every page was filled with a brilliant intricate surprise! We gifted along with a butterfly hatching kit! Highly recommend! - Amazon review by Hannah P.
Goodreads Rating: 4.62
Ages: 4 - 8 years
28. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, A Pop-up Adaptation
This is the most beautiful book. Got this for my daughter as a present, so pleased I did. From the moment I opened it I was blown away by the detail & beauty of it. Every page was really like stepping into another world. The way it comes to life when you turn a page was something special. Hats off to the creator and the designer & of course a special thank you to Lewis Carroll for bringing it all to life in the first place. - Amazon review by Michael T.
Goodreads Rating: 4.34
Ages: 3 - 8 years
29. The Little Mermaid: The classic fairy tale with super-sized pop-ups!
Robert Sabuda takes readers on a magical journey under the sea in this pop-up adaptation of the beloved fairy tale The Little Mermaid. Amazing three-dimensional paper structures pop off the page, bringing this underwater adventure to life. This visually stunning story of true love, adventure, and sacrifice is sure to become a favorite in every family's library.
Goodreads Rating: 4.60
Ages: 3 - 7 years
30. Beauty & the Beast, A Pop-Up Adaptation
This book is completely exquisite! I purchased this for a very fanatical Beauty & the Beast fan (a special little girl) and I had no idea how magical I would also find this as an adult! Beautifully crafted and presented. Every page contains a little magic. I can highly recommend this purchase. - Amazon review by Sarah C.
Goodreads Rating: 4.61
Ages: 3 - 8 years
31. The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-ups: Based on the Books by C. S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-Up allows readers of all ages, but especially younger children, to experience a different adventure from Narnia on every spread in this beautiful addition to the Narnia library—sure to enchant fans of both C. S. Lewis and Robert Sabuda.
Amazon Rating: 4.45
Ages: 4 - 8 years
32. Dinosaurs, Encyclopedia Prehistorica
My daughter is 4 & loves loves dinosaurs. This was such a great find - doesn’t add to the “yet another toy” pile & is so unique & educational. The dinosaurs pop up, there’s info on the pages & more info on a fold-out piece on each page. It even got the attention of my non Dino loving 6 year old. I think it was a totally great gift, I’ll definitely be gifting this as well & so far, it’s held up to 3 kids & a ton of use. Overall, get it - it’s a hit! - Amazon review by Catherine
Amazon Rating: 4.61
Ages: 3 - 7 years
33. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Pop-Up Book
I love Roald Dahl, but my 4-year-old is too young for the stories. This pop-up book is perfect. The pop-ups are fantastic - one page has the factory. There are pull-out tabs with song words and lift-up flaps. Even though the story is condensed, it's still pretty long. We read it over 3 or 4 nights. This is the 2nd one I've bought as this is for a gift. I think I'll buy more as it's perfect. - Amazon review by hbmunchen
Goodreads Rating: 4.54
34. The Dragon & the Knight, A Pop-Up Misadventure
In this pop-up adventure, a Dragon and a Knight race through a fairy tale treasury, visiting the worlds of all of your favorite stories from Rapunzel to Aladdin, to Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, and more! With characters who literally pop right off the pages, this tour de force will have readers young and old speeding through the book to see just how this chase will end!
Amazon Rating: 4.22
Ages: 6-10 years
Best Pop-Up Books for 10+ Years Old
35. Harry Potter, A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts
This book features spectacular pop-up re-creations of key locations inside and outside Hogwarts castle, and it opens flat to form a pop-up map of the castle and its grounds—including the Quidditch pitch, the Forbidden Forest, and beyond. This pop-up book is gorgeous in many ways: it can be read page by page or it can be unfolded like a giant map. There are pop-ups within the pop-ups---it's such an incredible work of art of architectural/engineering skills. - Amazon review by Reader2020
Amazon Rating: 4.72
Ages: 10+ years
36. This Book Is a Planetarium: And Other Extraordinary Pop-Up Contraptions
This Book is a Planetarium is a completely unique and incredibly cool pop-up science book for adults and kids who love design, interactive art, and paper toys. I gave this as a Christmas present to my 8-year-old granddaughter. She has had so much fun playing with each page. I couldn't say which page is her favorite. She enjoys them all. It's not a cheap book but well worth the price. - Amazon review by Marni
Goodreads Rating: 4.55
Ages: 8 - 12 years
37. Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Diagon Alley and Beyond
This exhilarating pop-up book invites you to relive the movie adventures of Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the Boy Who Lived—Harry Potter—as you explore London’s magical Diagon Alley like never before. This book was better than I anticipated. It was a gift for my grandson and he had asked for it. We did not know it is more than just a pop-up book. The entire city with the characters comes out of the book and can be set up. It is beautiful. - Amazon review by Ann S.
Goodreads Rating: 4.57
Ages: 8 - 12 years
38. The Nightmare Before Christmas Pop-Up
Fans of Tim Burton’s iconic film can countdown to Christmas with this pop-up advent calendar. Inside, readers will find a perfectly ghastly pop-up tree. Hidden in compartments beneath it are twenty-five removable and displayable ornaments. This is by far the coolest advent calendar we've ever had. It's also reusable and good quality, so it's worth the money if you are a lover of this movie! Our kiddos, 5 and 7, love being surprised by the different ornaments! - Amazon review by Hannah
Goodreads Rating: 4.20
39. The Christmas Story Pop-Up
Glinting with touches of gold and pearlescent foil, The Christmas Story is a visual feast, a holiday treasure to be shared with the whole family. This is a beautiful book for kids and adults. The pop-ups are exquisite and the Christmas story is retold so that children will enjoy. - Amazon review by Plobello
Goodreads Rating: 4.59
Ages: 5 - 8 years
The Fascinating World of Pop Up Books
Best Pop Up Books is a platform built by fans, for fans of pop-up books. It was created by Denice and Jean-Paul, pop-up book collectors and fanatics. Their fascination with pop-up books started when they bought the Transformers Pop-Up Book by Matthew Reinhart. They were blown away by the advanced paper engineering combined with amazing artwork. They never knew that pop-up books of this quality existed.
If your child has a similar fascination with pop-up books, be sure to visit their YouTube channel where they do video reviews (walk-throughs) of pop-up books. These videos are a great way to get a preview of a pop-up book before you order it and a close-up video review that walks trough the book page by page, pop-up by pop-up.
Check out the below video walk-through of one of the popular pop-up books today, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by renowned pop-up master Robert Sabuda.
This book tells the story of Alice, originally written by Lewis Carroll, through six impressive and well engineered pop-up spreads. Each spread contains a mini booklet in which the story is told together with multiple mini pop-ups. The large pop-up spreads show well-known scenes everyone will instantly recognize from the story.
We see Alice grow and shrink, fall down the rabbit hole, meet the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat and play croquet with the Queen. We also experience her nightmare when all the playing cards turn against her. This pop-up book is filled with surprising mini pop-ups that make the story even more complete and delightful!
Visit their channel for video reviews, discover books on their ranking lists, find the best pop-up books for kids and much more!
Keep Your Kids Busy with These Pop-Up Activities
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How to Make Pop Up Cards
From @Tinkerlab is a fun activity to make pop-up cards. Once they get the hang of it, they won’t be able to stop making them!
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How to Make a Paper City
From @Made by Joel is this free template for a 3D paper city! This design was inspired on his way to visit an Alexander Calder exhibit!
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How to Make a Pop Up Book
Visit @Best Pop Up Books for a step-by-step explanation that describes the process needed to create & publish a pop-up book.
More 3D Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy!
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