The Great Origami Book

Bought this as a gift for my mom, she loved it.

Easy to follow, contains models that range from very simple to rather impressive, yet all are so well explained that even a novice can create the most beautiful models without frustration. Especially great for those who have had trouble following standard origami diagrams. Each step is well explained in text and illustrated with color photos showing hands accomplishing the folds -- perfect book to use to teach origami. Particularly interesting to experienced folders are the very well done dragon, snail, horse and rider, and graceful lady - worth the price of the book themselves. BOOK CONSTRUCTION: Entire book is full color, heavyweight, glossy paper. Well-organized table of contents breaks down models by base. Includes an index at the back. Cover has pre-scored open fold at front and rear to prolong book life. Well done. I am rarely so pleased with every aspect of a book.

I look for several things when I buy an origami book: I want actual pictures of someone folding the paper, not diagrams. This book has that! Also, I look for a variety of shapes to fold. This book has flowers, snails (!), and dragons. I also look for simplicity, since I am an intermediate origamist. I had no trouble making every one of these projects work. I was delighted with the pictures, the variety, and the simplicity. It starts off with easy projects and moves on the harder ones. I highly recommend this to beginners as well as intermediates.