cover image The Story of Things: From the Stone Age to the Modern Age in 10 Pop-Up Spreads

The Story of Things: From the Stone Age to the Modern Age in 10 Pop-Up Spreads

Neal Layton, paper engineering by Corina Fletcher. Hodder (IPG/Trafalgar Sq., dist.), $19.99 (22p) ISBN 978-0-340-94532-2

Layton crafts a witty chronological chronicle of human ingenuity in this companion to The Story of Everything. Top-notch paper engineering blends seamlessly with Layton's scraggly ink-drawn characters and photo collage elements. The lives of early humans are transformed by fire and stone spears; pop-up panels show the rise and fall of four civilizations; and thought bubbles pop up over the heads of influential figures like Copernicus and da Vinci. Throughout, candid phrases convey historical milestones: "Then everyone got into electricity and petrol engines. And everything got bigger and faster." A masterful balance of humor, information, and interactive fun. Ages 5%E2%80%937. (June)