Christmas Around the World: A Pop-Up Book

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco There are not words to adequately describe the beauty of master pop-up artist Chuck Fischer's work. I thought he'd hit a high point with his pop-up book, Christmas in New York, but I was wrong. Christmas Around the World is simply breathtaking and will mesmerize children and adults alike. Fischer's newest offering features glorious scenes from Germany, Russia, Latin America, France, the Scandinavia countries, Great Britain, Italy and the United States. Every page and pop-up is filled with intricate and beautiful scenes that will have the reader gasping while they study `how he did it.' I loved every image from the mythic figures representing Santa Claus to the Christmas traditions the different countries celebrate. The small booklets and photos are ingenuous. All you want to do is gaze at it and appreciate its beauty. Christmas around the World is a treasure deserving its own special place of honor during the Christmas season. Oh, and check out Christmas in New York. It's stunning. Armchair Interviews says: It's a great Christmas gift that will be saved and enjoyed every year.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (12/07) Oh my goodness, what a delightful book! I had no idea when I opened the cover what I would find. This is the most beautiful Christmas Keepsake I have seen, and of course will be passed down for generations in our family. Interactive and informative, this coffee table book's Victorian images, photographs and imprints are charming. The workmanship of the book surpassed any others I have seen. Pop-up artist Chuck Fischer certainly outdid himself this time. The pop-up images, removable booklets, and pull-outs depict United States, Russia, Germany, France, Latin America, Scandinavia, Great Britain, and Italy. Each page portrays the traditions as well as people and stories. "Christmas Around the World" would make a wonderful Christmas gift as well as buying one for yourself to be enjoyed during the holidays.

I was pleased to see that USA Today acknowledged the enormous talent behind this pop-up book in selecting it in the top ten holiday gift books this year. Chuck Fischer has outdone himself (not easily done) in spreading magic this season with a book sure to woo friends and family.

Not really meant for young kids, this quality keepsake is better suited as part of your Christmas decorations, something you bring out for the coffee table every year. The pop-ups are terrific, among the best I've ever seen. But what makes the book complete are all the extras on each page. In fact, when I finished looking through it, I valued the book as much for its history as its art. Here's why: The first spread, about Father Christmas and Dicken's "A Christmas Carol," includes a few paragraphs about the history of each fable as well as two tiny six-page booklets. Additional spreads offer similar treatments for The Christmas Witch and pagan Rome, the Advent Calendar, Pere Noël and other French traditions, historic Russian folk tales and the true story of Saint Nicholas, and finally, the American Santa Claus. All spreads have flaps, too; some have pull outs. A thick cover, laminated paper stock and half-inch base help keep everything from getting damaged, but there's so much glued and folded paper stuffed in here that you'll still need to treat it all with care.

A MUST HAVE!!!!!! Great fun with a lot of interesting facts. An artful wonder for the eyes with a great flair of creativity.