Books with Interactive Illustrations

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Background

This section of my collector's guide to interactive books with removable ephemera includes books with tipped in paper tech, foldouts, flaps and tucked-in ephemera that play with the narrative to deepen the story. 

I hope you enjoy, and do let me know in the comments if I've forgotten one of your beloved titles!

MinaLima's Illustrated Classics

The Griffin and Sabine series is the original classic that introduced a generation of adults to the magic of removable letters in fiction. A mysterious relationship between two artists – Griffin Moss and Sabine Strohem – is told through a series of removable letters and postcards shared between the two main characters. The story is told through two sets of three books, known as the ‘Griffin & Sabine Trilogy' and the ‘Morning Star Trilogy', with the final volume The Pharos Gate published later linking the trilogies more closely together. These books are the classic ‘removable letter' epistolary volumes of this type and are made with quality paper and richly illustrated inserts that are integral to the story (even studying the postmarks on the envelopes adds to the intrigue). Many of the books are currently out of print, but the 25th Anniversary edition of the first book is still easy to find and is enjoyable on its own (although it's so good you're sure to want the rest after reading it).

☞ Explore my extended review of this series for more detailed insights, internal images, and video reviews.

Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson

HarperDesign, 2026. 9780063452084. Fully illustrated with interactive features, including hoisting the ship's flag, a map of Skeleton Island, and a skeleton pointing to the treasure.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells

The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

HarperDesign, 2026. 9780063497009. Fully illustrated with eight interactive features, including his home planet hidden in the Little Prince's cape, a blossoming flower, and a sliding jeweled snake.

➤ Find US edition at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells

➤ Find UK edition at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus - Mary Shelley

HarperDesign, 2025. 9780063452060. Fully illustrated with seven interactive features, including a reveal of the Creature’s face, a foldout excerpt from Victor’s diary, an expanding map, and more.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Snow White and other fairy tales - The Brothers Grimm

HarperDesign, 2022. 9780063208247. Fully illustrated with a pop-up forest and pull-tab mirror for Snow White, a wall of thorns encasing Sleeping Beauty, a three-dimensional ball gown for Cinderella, fold-out dancing princesses, and a pop-up tower for Rapunzel.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

The Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum​

HarperDesign, 2021. 9780063055735. Fully illustrated with a cyclone map that opens up to reveal the Land of Oz; pop-up Yellow Brick Road
Oz glasses that provide a different look at the world; fighting trees with branches that move; and Dorothy’s silver shoes that can be clicked together.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

☞ You might also be interested in the Wizard of Oz collector’s guide.

The Adventures of Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi

HarperDesign, 2020. 9780062905277. Fully illustrated with interactive finger puppets (featuring a Pinocchio puppet with clothing), a small theatre for a puppet show, a court deck with Pinocchio behind sliding bars and a fold out shark revealing Pinocchio and Geppetto inside.

➤ Find it at AmazonB&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass - Lewis Carroll​

HarperDesign, 2019. 9780062936615. Fully illustrated with interactive Alice with extendable legs and arms; the rabbit’s house which opens to reveal a giant Alice; the Cheshire cat with a pull tab that removes the cat and leaves the cat’s grin; a flamingo croquet club that swings to hit the hedgehog; and a removable map of the Looking Glass world.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

☞ You might also be interested in the Alice in Wonderland collector’s guide.

The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett​

HarperDesign, 2018. 9780062692573. Fully illustrated with interactive maps of Misselthwaite Manor and the Secret Garden, a spinning dial of growing plants, a paper doll of Mary, and some adorable removable letters.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

☞ You might also be interested in the Secret Garden collector’s guide.

The Little Mermaid and other fairy tales - Hans Christian Andersen​

HarperDesign 2018. 9780062692597. An illustrated collection of 13 tales, with interactive features including a spinning mermaid dial; a duckling that transforms into a swan; mattresses that reveal a pea when they are pulled away; and the glorious palace of the Snow Queen.

➤ Find it at AmazonB&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Beauty and the Beast - Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve

HarperDesign 2017. 9780062456212. An illustrated version of the unabridged tale with a fold-out city map and a map of the Beast’s palace, a turnable ring and, an advent calendar.

➤ Find it at AmazonB&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

The Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling

HarperDesign 2016. 9780062389503. An illustrated collection of seven tales, with interactive features including a map of the lost Indian city where Mowgli is taken by the monkeys; a fold-out picture which details the Laws of the Jungle; a spinning dial of the elephant dance; and a map of Kotick’s route to find a new home.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Peter Pan - J. M. Barrie

HarperDesign 2015. 9780062362223. A fully illustrated edition with interactive elements including a foldout map of Neverland, a paper kite, and a spinnable “croc o'clock”.

➤ Find it at AmazonB&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Interactive Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling

Each volume in this series brims with interactive surprises: fold-outs of Diagon Alley, hidden flaps revealing secret compartments, and meticulously engineered pop-ups. Published by Scholastic in the US and Bloomsbury in the UK.

☞ Explore my extended review of this series for more detailed insights and internal images.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, illustrated by Karl Mountford

Scholastic/Bloomsbury (2025).
Eight interactive paper-engineered elements include the Maze at the Triwizard Tournament, Weasleys’ tent at the Quidditch World Cup, a Dark Mark shining in the sky, inside the Lake at Hogwarts, and the Goblet of Fire itself.

➤ Find UK edition: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ Find US edition: Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, illustrated by MinaLima

Scholastic/Bloomsbury (2023).
Eight interactive paper-engineered elements include the Knight Bus, the Marauder's Map, revealing the Grim in a teacup, and spinning the Time-Turner.

➤ Find UK edition: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

► Find US edition: Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, illustrated by MinaLima

Scholastic/Bloomsbury (2021).
Eight interactive paper-engineered elements include the Whomping Willow, the Weasleys’ Burrow, pulling mandrakes from their pots, and revealing the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's office.

➤ Find UK edition: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

► Find US edition: Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, illustrated by MinaLima

Scholastic/Bloomsbury (2020).
Eight interactive paper-engineered elements include Harry’s Hogwarts letter, the magical entrance to Diagon Alley, and a sumptuous feast in the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

➤ Find UK edition: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

► Find US edition: Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Marjolein Bastin Interactive Classics

These unabridged classic novels are bound in linen-textured paper with embossed flowers on the covers, and points of gold foiling scattered across the design. Inserts are prettily illustrated imagined letters, notecards, maps and other period ephemera.

☞ Explore my extended review of this series for more detailed insights,  internal images and video.

Sanditon – Jane Austen

Andrews McMeel, 9798881602116. 2025.
Three unfinished novels complemented by Jane Austen’s juvenilia (stage plays, stories and early ideas). Removable ephemera includes letters, a newspaper excerpt and a family tre

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

Andrews McMeel, 9781524873851. 2022.
Removable ephemera includes invitations, recipes, newsletters, pamphlets and letters.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen

Andrews McMeel, 9781524861742. 2021.
Removable ephemera includes a biography, poetry, postcards, maps and more.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë

Andrews McMeel, 9781524861735. 2021.
Removable ephemera includes a biography, maps, nature information cards, letters in envelopes, and more.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Andrews McMeel, 9781524861759. 2021.
Removable ephemera includes postcards, dance instructions, sheet music, letters in envelopes, game instructions and more.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë

Andrews McMeel, 9781524861728. 2021.
Removable ephemera includes a character index, author biography, postcards, recipes, letters and pamphlets.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Emma – Jane Austen

Andrews McMeel, 9781524863074. 2021.
Removable ephemera includes letters, recipes, puzzles, and a newspaper facsimile.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

The Ologies - Dugald Steer

The Ologies series includes many volumes of beautifully illustrated fictional encyclopaedias on various topics, mostly concentrating on fantasy themes. The books are usually presented as lost diaries that have been written by a fictional author or special investigator in the field of study, and contain mini-books, tactile inserts (like “fur” or “shells”), and removable ephmerea ranging from information notes to playing cards and other fun stuff. (The text is mostly by Dugald Steer.) Highly recommended!

☞ Explore my extended review of this series for more detailed insights, internal images and companion volumes.

Ghostology: A True Revelation of Spirits, Ghosts and Haunting (2020) by “Linda Curtle”

Candlewick, 2020. Communications from the other side, including a headless French pirate in search of his missing noggin, a vanishing pair of young trickster twins, and a ghostly woman who screams for attention.

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Knightology: A True Account of the Most Valiant Knights

Candlewick Books, 2017. Tales of tough tournaments, castle construction and defence, weapon mastery, going on Crusades amongst other knightly pursuits.

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon |Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Dungeonology by Matt Forbeck – made in collaboration with Dungeons & Dragons

Candlewick, 2016. From the dreaming spires of Waterdeep to the frozen majesty of Drizzt Do’Urden’s Icewind Dale and from the despicable Underdark to the mysterious Underchasm you’ll learn the history, secrets and wonders of the Forgotten Realms.

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Dinosaurology: The Search for a Lost World by “Raleigh Rimes”

Candlewick, 2013. In 1912 Arthur Conan Doyle published his widely acclaimed novel, The Lost World. Little did his fans know that his tale of a South American plateau where dinosaurs had survived was based on the real-life adventures of his friend Percy Fawcett. 

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon |Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Illusionology: The Secret Science of Magic by "William Schafer"

Candlewick, 2012. Purportedly written in 1915 by one of America’s top scientists, the book is an expose of the tricks of the masters for new initiates of the Illusionists’ Guild – with instructions for levitating a lady, making things disappear and mind-reading, among others. 

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Alienology: The Complete Book of Extraterrestrials

Candlewick, 2010. A tongue-in-cheek training manual for S.P.A.C.E. (the Society for the Promotion of Alien Cantact with Earth). It gives advice on identifying alien species, as well as eye-opening facts about our universe.

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon |Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Vampireology: The True History of the Fallen Ones by "Archibold Brooks"

Candlewick, 2010. The history of vampires who have lived among us and preyed on humans since the beginning of time. 

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Find UK edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Oceanology: The True Account of the Voyage of the Nautilus by “Ferdinand Zoticus de Lesseps”

Candlewick, 2009. What if a sixteen-year-old assistant traveled aboard the storied Nautilus, the narwhal-shaped submarine of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

➤ Find US edition at Amazon | B&N Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Spyology: The Complete Book of Spycraft by “Spencer Blake

Candlewick, 2008. Agent K took on a mission to foil the criminal gang CODEX. The mission succeeded, but Agent K was believed to have perished in the process.

➤ OOP. Find US edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Beasts by “Dr Ernest Drake”

Candlewick, 2008. The intrepid Dr. Ernest Drake turns his inquisitive gaze from dragons to other so-called mythical creatures and explores fantastical beasts from unicorns to yetis.

➤ OOP. Find US edition at AmazonAbes | eBay

➤ OOP. Find UK edition at AmazonAbes | eBay

Mythology: Greek Gods, Heroes, & Monsters by “Lady Hestia Evans”

Candlewick, 2007. Lady Hestia Evans travels through Greece in 1825, discovering the wonders of ancient Greek myths, the world of mighty gods and fearless heroes who battle the merciless beasts of legend.

➤ Find US edition at Amazon | B&N Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Find UK edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Pirateology: A Pirate Hunter’s Companion by “Captain William Lubber”

Candlewick, 2007. Lubber is hot on the trail of wicked pirate Arabella Drummond, her cut-throat crew of sea dogs and her ship’s cat, the redoubtable Mr Teach.

➤ Find US edition at Amazon | B&N Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Find UK edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin by “Master Merlin”

Candlewick, 2005. Merlin shares useful spells and magical information.

➤ Find US edition at Amazon | B&N Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ Find 20th anniversary re-release (2026) UK edition at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris by “Emily Sands”

Candlewick, 2004. An Egyptologist is trying to find the tomb of Osiris.

➤ Find US edition at Amazon | B&N Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ Find anniversary re-release (2014) UK edition at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons by “Ernest Drake”

Candlewick, 2003. Re-issued 2023. A 19th century dragonologist explores dragons – where to find them, information about different species, and how to work with them.

➤ Find US edition at  Amazon | B&N Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ Find UK edition at  Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Mademoiselle J - Jana Fayne Kolpen & Mary Tiegreen

A charming and whimsical series of gentle uplifting stories, designed like interactive scrapbooks with removable ephemera including letters and recipes.

Secrets of Pistoulet

Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1996, reprinted 15th anniversary edition 2010. Mademoiselle J. lives in a French farmhouse where she celebrates the redemptive and sustaining nature of shared meals among friends and family. Includes fold-out letters, removable recipe cards and pockets, and special vellum pages.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Legend of the Villa Della Luna / Dancing with the Moon

Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1997. Republished as Dancing with the Moon in 2004. While a guest at a magnificent Italian seaside villa, Mademoiselle J. reaches out to a grieving man who has isolated himself inside a lighthouse after a tragic love affair. Includes gatefold illustrations, removable letters in envelopes and a train ticket.

➤ OOP. Find Legend at Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Find Moon at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Circle of Kindness

Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2006. In the enchanted Irish countryside of ancient forests, singing bridges, and babbling brooks, a thatched cottage brings travellers home for a cup of tea. Includes uplifting sentiments in envelopes, pocket cards, and remoable booklets.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Genuine and Moste Authentic Guides

Most of the books in this series are a sort of charming set of ‘in world' guides, narrated by fictional experts. (The last Horse guide though, seems far more practical than whimsical for some reason.) The books contain lift-the-flaps, pop-ups, attached booklets, and removable pieces like pull-out cards, stickers, clothes and a game pieces.

Explorer: A Daring Guide for Young Adventurers by "Harry Hardcastle" and Dugald Steer

Candlewick, 2007. 9780763636487.

The president of the Society of Intrepid Explorers has laid out essential tips for all young adventurers. Includes pop-ups, fold-outs and other pieces.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Princess: A Glittering Guide for Young Ladies by "Madame Sparklington" and Stella Gurney

Candlewick, 2006. 9780763634308.

Madame Sparklington is sharing the wisdom from her exclusive finishing school for young ladies. Flaps and envelopes containing booklets and cards, a mix-and-match wardrobe, and an official “princess certificate.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Knight: A Noble Guide for Young Squires by "Sir Geoffrey De Lance" and Dugald Steer

Candlewick, 2006. 9780763630621.

A noble knight shares his years of experience. Includes flaps and envelopes, booklets and even a removable game.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Horse: The Essential Guide for Young Equestrians by Libby Hamilton and Sophie Allsopp

Candlewick, 2008. 9780763635473.

Two experienced stable hands share expertise on grooming and feeding, tacking up, and perfecting your riding posture.  Includes pull out cards, attached booklets and a certificate of achievement.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Fairyopolis Flower Fairies - Cicely Mary Barker

The Fairyopolis books take the beautiful flower fairy artwork of Cecily Mary Barker and repurpose it to create diary entries, pop-up spreads, and interactive ephemera attached to the pages of these delightful fictional journals. There is also a fourth companion book in this series, Adventures in Fairyopolis, which does not include the interactive ephemera. The covers feature lenticular inserts (printed with a lens that changes the image from different angles). Note that while the envelopes open, most are actually attached to the page and not removable.

Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal by Glen Bird & Liz Catchpole

Warne, 2005. 0723257248. Reprinted 2011. Purportedly the “secret fairy journal” of illustrator Cicely Mary Barker during the magical Summer of 1920 when Cicely discovered the secret world of the Flower Fairies.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

How to Find Flower Fairies

Warne, 2007. 0723258902. Five spreads about Flower Fairy homes include three-dimensional pop-up images of flowers and trees, lift-the- flaps, booklets, maps and other interactive ephemera attached to the pages.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Return to Fairyopolis - Justine Swain Smith

Warne, 2008. 0723259968. Follows the journey of Cicely Mary Barker’s young charge, Dulcie, now a teenager. The last page is a pop-up spread with music.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Enchanted Dolls' House series - Robyn Johnson

Beautiful series about a dolls' house that comes to life while the household is sleeping, with elements like pop-up spreads and touchable velvet along with envelopes that open to reveal removable letters, paper fans, and other ephemera. Published by Five Mile Press in Australia and Chronicle Books in the US.

The Enchanted Dolls' House

Five Mile Press, 2005 / Chronicle Books, 2006. Takes readers on a visual and tactile journey through four historical dolls houses. Includes pop-ups, embossing, flaps and inserts. The Australian edition is shaped like a house, the US edition has a velveted cover.

➤ OOP. Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Enchanted Dolls' House Wedding

Five Mile Press, 2006/Chronicle Books, 2007. Albert and Lucinda have ‘pledged their troth' and everyone in the dolls' house celebrates. Includes pop-ups, embossing, flaps and inserts.

➤ OOP. Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Enchanted Dolls' House Theatre

Five Mile Press, 2007. Retells a selection of stories from different theatre genres: Romeo & Juliet, The Pirates of Penzance, Swan Lake, My Fair Lady. Includes pop-ups, embossing, flaps and inserts.

Companion books include Paper Masks and Paper Dolls.

➤ OOP. Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

American Girls Travel Scrapbooks

These mock scrapbooks focus on the characters' adventures as they document their trips. Most of the design includes artefacts from their travels as set-type photographs, but each also includes eight removable items in pockets attached to the pages as pull-out souvenirs from their trip. Many of the items are reproductions of authentic period items.

Kit's Railway Adventure (American Girls) - Harriet Brown, illustrated by Walter Rane & George Sebok

American Girl 2003. 9781584855750. An interactive, journal-style book with historical photographs and eight pull-out souvenirs from Kit's railway trip, complete with secret messages that need to be read with the included viewer, as well as a copy of her prize-winning essay, bookmark, red paper lantern, and a puzzle.

➤ OOP. Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Molly's Route 66 Adventure (American Girls) - Dottie Raymer, illustrated by Nick Backes & Amy Redmond

American Girl 2002. 9781584855019. An interactive, journal-style book with historical photographs and eight pull-out souvenirs from Molly's road trip from Chicago to California. Removable items include a mystery decoder, reward poster, and Clines Corners Curio Shop brochure.

➤ OOP. Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure (American Girls) - Dottie Raymer, illustrated by Dan Andreasen & Susan MacAliley

American Girl 2002. 9781584855002. An interactive, journal-style book with historical photographs and eight pull-out souvenirs from Samantha's  journey aboard the S.S. Londonia, including an invitation, and ship's map, a butterfly mask, a movable puppet, and a decoder wheel.

➤ OOP. Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Teddy & Friends - Pete Bowman

Pop-up children's books with interactive slots where you can post tiny letters to woodland characters

Ed Elephant's Christmas Adventure - Pete Bowman

Tango Books, 2000. 

A Christmas day celebration for Elephant. Includes several removable cards in envelopes with a pop-up final spread.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Little Owl's Christmas - Pete Bowman

Tango Books, 1999. 

A Christmas day celebration for Owl. Includes several removable cards in envelopes with a pop-up Christmas card in the final spread.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Teddy's Party - Pete Bowman

Tango Books, 1997.

A teddy bear plans a party with invites and a bag of paper party goodies.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Teddy's Christmas - Pete Bowman

Disney/Hyperion, 1997. 9780786803453.

A teddy bear delivers Christmas cards to all his woodland friends, with lift-up flaps and slots for cards to be posted through.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Historical Notebooks

Large-format, highly illustrated “scrapbook” style biographies that mix narrative with interactive novelty elements – mostly foldouts, mini-booklets, maps, and flaps, but also the occasional removable letter-in-an-envelope.

Marco Polo: History's Great Adventurer - Clint Twist

Templar. 9780763652869 (US, 2011). Also published as Marco Polo: Geographer of Distant Lands 9781848772793 (UK, 2010). An interactive, illustrated journal-style book with historical information about the travels along the Silk Road to mediaeval China, with fold-outs, attached booklets, and removable maps.

➤ OOP.  Buy US ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Buy UK ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

William Shakespeare: His Life and Times - Kristen McDermott

Templar. 9780763647940 (US, 2010). Also published as The Life and Times of William Shakespeare, 9781840111583 (UK, 2010). Presented as a scrapbook prepared by Shakespeare for his daughter with attached booklets, letters, notes, and facsimile documents.

➤ OOP. Buy US ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Buy UK ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure - Amanda Wood

Templar 2009. 9780763645380 (US, 2009). Also published as Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure, 9781840111538 (UK, 2009). An interactive, illustrated journal-style book with historical information about the voyage of the Beagle and Darwin's theories of evolution, with fold-out maps, attached booklets, and removable letters in envelopes.

➤ OOP. Buy US ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Buy UK ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Charles Dickens: England's Most Captivating Storyteller - Catherine Wells-Cole

Templar. 9780763655679 (US, 2011). Also published as Charles Dickens: A Life of Storytelling, a legacy of change. 9781848771178 (UK, 2011). An interactive, illustrated journal-style book with historical information about Dickens' works and life.

➤ OOP. Buy US ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Buy UK ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt - Clint Twist

Templar. 9780763660956 (US, 2012). Also published as Cleopatra: The Last Pharaoh, the first icon. 9781848770713 (UK, 2012). An interactive, illustrated journal-style book with historical information about Cleopatra's life and intrigues.

➤ OOP. Buy US ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Buy UK ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

McSweeney's Quarterly Concern

Renowned for its short fiction, McSweeney's Quarterly has been produced since 1998. They experiment often with interesting publishing techniques, and the list below includes some of those that I think are the most interactive. 

McSweeney's Quarterly Issue 74

McSweeney's, Summer 2024. 9781952119798. Housed in a deluxe tin lunchbox illustrated by Art Spiegelman, this issues features a portfolio of Spiegelman's art, stories printed on pencils whose meaning changes as you sharpen them, and author cards in baseball card packaging.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

McSweeney's Quarterly Issue 53

McSweeney's, Summer 2018. 9781944211585. Includes seven stories printed on eight balloons, which you have to blow up to read.

➤ Find it at McSweeney'sAmazon | Abes | eBay

McSweeney's Quarterly Issue 36

McSweeney's, Winter 2010. 9781934781746. “Timothy McSweeney's Thirty-Sixth Issue.” An illustrated box containing a journal, eight booklet, four postcards, an uncut rolls of fortune-cookie fortunes and an insert.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

McSweeney's Quarterly Issue 19

McSweeney's, Spring 2006. 9781932416480. “Old Facts, New Fiction & a Novella.” Delivered in a cigar box which includes the magazine and 15 reproductions of government publications, political propaganda, photographs, and other ephemera.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

McSweeney's Quarterly Issue 17

McSweeney's, Fall 2005. 9781932416312. “Made to look like it came in your mailbox.” Designed to look like a stacked ‘bundle of mail', this issue contains a recent issue of Yeti Researcher; a large Envelope, containing artworks; a catalog; a flyer; a new magazine of experimental fiction called Unfamiliar; and a couple of letters.

➤ Find it at McSweeney | Amazon | Abes | eBay

McSweeney's Quarterly Issue 16

McSweeney's, Summer 2005. 9781932416152. Use a tripartite binding that includes a novella by Anne Beattie and a story told in a deck of cards from Robert Coover. Also, it comes with a comb.

➤ Find it at McSweeney's | AmazonAbes | eBay

Other Books With Interactive Illustrations

The rest of the books in this section include children's books, fictional epistolaries, and other random goodness for you to scroll through and be inspired. They are in date order, and I've marked my favourites with a ★.

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald [Cook the Book]

Chronicle Books 2025. 9781797234724.

Tucked within the pages of the full-length novel are removable cards with food and drink recipes inspired by the story – from indulgent cocktails to enticing appetizers to languorous sweets.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

★ Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi [Beehive Illuminated Edition]

Beehive Books 2024. 9781948886093.

This oversized classic children’s text features over fifty illustrations from Mike Mignola and colorist Dave Stewart, and an interactive full text annotation by Lemony Snicket with 36 removable typewritten sheets.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Beehive Books | Abes | eBay

☞ Learn more about Beehive Books Illuminated editions.

★ The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald, illustrated by Robert Nippoli

Andrews McMeel, 2023. 9781524879761.

The tragic-poetic portrait of the Roaring Twenties in New York City brought to life in a beautiful Art Deco style edition, including illustrations, maps, foldout pages and delightful removable ephemera.

★ Letters from Fairyland - Charles van Sandwyk

Folio Society, 2020.

A delightful collection of exquisite miniature envelopes filled with heartfelt letters from Fairyland. Originally released in a handmade edition of 200 copies in 2016, and also available as a Folio Society limited edition of 250 copies.

► OOP. Find FS edition at Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Find handmade edition at Abes | eBay

☞ Learn more about collecting Charles van Sandwyk artist books.

The Greatest Magician in the World - Matt Edmondson & Garry Parsons

Pan Macmillan, 2018. 9781509806188.

Elliot discovers a long lost letter from his great grandfather – the greatest magician in the world – and embarks on a magical adventure to follow in his footsteps. Includes lots of fun removable letters and paper props to carry out magic tricks

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ A Conversation With Old St Nick at the North Pole - Charles van Sandwyk

Charles van Sandwyk, 2018. Slef-published.

A whimsical conversation with Old St. Nick. Includes a small business card for “Fr. Christmas, Esq.” tucked into a marbled paper envelope, and a fold-out illustrative map of the North Pole.

➤ OOP. Find it at Abes eBay

★ Bats of the Republic – Zachary T. Dodson

Doubleday, 2015. 9780385539838.

An illustrated novel that weaves two stories – one historical, one futuristic – including a reversible dust jacket, removable documents, maps, and a sealed envelope to open at the story’s climax.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ S. [Ship of Theseus] - J. J. Abrams & Doug Dorst

Little, Brown, 2013.  9780316201643 (US). Canongate, 2013. 9780857864772 (UK).

A novel within a novel, presented as a fictional old library book annotated by two readers, including handwritten notes and 22 physical inserts (letters, postcards, maps).

➤ Find US ed at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ Buy UK ed from Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Faeryland: The Secret World of the Hidden Ones - John Matthews, illustrated by Matt Dangler

Harry N. Abrams, 2013. 9781419706738.

Mostly a beautiful art book (including classic fairy art by William Blake, Henry Fuseli, and J. M. W. Turner alongside more contemporary illustrations), with an envelope of faerie photos / postcards; an invitation from Puck to a Faerie Ball; and a fold-out map of Faeryland.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

Cinderella's Secret Diary - Faye Hanson

Macmillan, 2012. 9780230742048.

Designed for early readers, this one has just three pieces of removable stationery – an invite to the ball, a paper mirror and a paper tiara.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Building Stories - Chris Ware

Pantheon, 2012. 9780375424335.

A build-your-own graphic novel that imagines the inhabitants of a three-story Chicago apartment building. It comes in a game box (huge! similar to a Monopoly game set) and includes mini books, magazines, flyers and a game board.

➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

How to see Faeries - Brian Froud & John Matthews

Harry N. Abrams, 2011. 9780810997509.

A spectacularly illustrated guide to faeries, including  holographic cover art, openable flaps that are portals to hidden lands, pop-ups, mirrors, and other interactive features.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Moonlight Animals: A Lightbeam Book - Elizabeth Golding, illustrated by Ali Lodge

Running Press Kids, 2011. 

A ‘magic beam' torch that moves inside the pages to illuminate wildlife. Part of a series of four similar titles.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Alienography: Or: How to Spot an Alien Invasion and What to Do About it - Chris Riddell

Macmillan, 2010. 9781405050609.

A richly illustrated comic guide to revolting aliens and impossible spaceships. Includes five pull-out postcards, a mini ‘Who's What and From Where' booklet and a ‘Bottom Trumps' card game.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ Also check out Alienography 2 at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Book of Bad Things: A sinister guide to history's dark side - Clive Gifford

Kingfisher, 2010. 9780753464649 (US); 9780753419137 (UK).

Count Droffig has spent a lifetime trying to uncover the dark secrets of The Book of Bad Things. The story is packed with cryptic puzzles and interactive mini books within the book itself.

➤ OOP. Find US ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Find UK ed at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Travels of the Zephyr: An Interactive Journey Around the World - Caroline Mac Killian

Abrams, 2010. 9780810989740. Introduces readers to various lands and peoples across the globe through the notes of the fictional explorer James Mac Killian. Interactive devices include maps that unfold, envelopes with letters, sketches, drawings, and more.

➤ OOP.  Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Eragon's Guide to Alagaësia - Chrisopher Paolini

Random House/Templar 2009. 9780375858239 / 9780385617888. A guide to help new Dragon Riders, with beautiful illustrations and interactive elements like letters and patches of synthesized Feldûnost fur.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon US | Amazon UK | Abes | eBay

Diary of a Monster Catcher - Adam Stower

Alison Green Books, 2008. The Top Secret diary of Professor Gideon Potts, Monster Catcher to the King. A pop-up group that includes flaps, envelopes with removable letters, field notes to explore, and a minature ‘flick book'.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ The Illustrated Fairy Gazette: A Christmas Celebration - Avril & Frances Tyrrell

Five Mile Press, 2008. Beautifully illustrated, with a paper fairy to dress up, fairy notepaper, fairy recipes and songs, and a removable miniature fairy story booklet. Other companion books include Festivals and Fairs and Bon Voyage (both of which include a paper doll and some outfits). The illustrator is also on Etsy, where she sells miniature Fairy Gazette magazines.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Hidden World of Fairies - Disney

Disney Press, 2008. 9781423109471.

An illustrated guide filled with fairy facts and interactive elements like secret notes, miniature books, and a removable fairy talent medallion.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Princess Poppy Gift Collection - Janey Louise Jones

Corgi, 2008. 

There's a whole series of Princess Poppy picture books with ballet, balls parties and other princess adventures, many of which have removable letters in an envelope stuck inside the front cover. This omnibus edition (Twinkletoes, The Fair Day Ball and The Wedding) has envelopes on the pages that you can pull letters from.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Secret Journal of Victor Frankenstein - David Stewart

The Book House, 2008. 9781906370817.

Explores the workings of the human body through the long-lost journal of Victor Frankenstein, with fold-out fictional newspaper pages, letters, books within books, and a die-cut body.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Power Rangers: Top Secret Files - Disney

Parragon, 2008. 9781407533513.

Ranger missions include removable items.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ The Chronicles of Spiderwick: A Grand Tour of the Enchanted World, Navigated by Thimbletack - Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Simon & Schuster 2007. 9781416950387.

Thimbletack, the house boggart of the Spiderwick residence guides readers through the history of the estate with the help of pullouts, pop-ups, fold-outs, and more.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Time Traveler's Journal - Ed Masessa, illustrated by Dan Jankowski

Scholastic 2007. 9780545022118.

Liserl Einstein travels through time, having meticulously researched adventures using real life figures and events in history. The coolest part of this book was the backwards running pocketwatch it came with, but it also includes flaps, attached booklets, and pockets with removable paper items.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ Catopia: A Cat Compendium - Caroline Repchuk, illustrated by Anne Mortimer

Katherine Tegan 2007. 9780061240041.

A treasure trove of cat information and folklore with lots of fun removable novelty ephemera, including book plates, booklets, flaps, a photo frame, and a zodiac wheel.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Invitation to Fairyland - Jean & Ron Henry

Flame Tree, 2007. 9781844517992.

Miniature letters inside envelopes on every sparkly page of this exploration of Fairyland.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Lost Files of Nancy Drew - Carolyn Keene

Grosset & Dunlap, 2007. 9780448446479.

An interactive scapbook “narrated” by Nancy Drew reviewing her first 13 cases, with history, artwork and removable items like recipes and postcards.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ Beatrix Potter: A Journal

Warne, 2006. 9780723258056. A beautifully illustrated journal with excerpts and removable memorabilia (facsimile letters, a locket, and a copy of Potter's privately printed edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit) from Beatrix Potter's own journals.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Beatrice Letters (A Series of Unfortunate Events) - Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Brett Helquist

HarperCollins/Egmont, 2006.  An epistolary novel with two folders, one containing a large two-sided poster filled with clues, and a notebook with correspondence exchanged Lemony Snicket and two people named Beatrice Baudelaire, one of whom claims to be a fourth Baudelaire sibling. Includes flaps, punchouts and a poster.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Disney Villains: The Top Secret Files - Jeff Kurtti

Disney, 2005. A handbook of dossiers on Disney villains (Cruella De Vil, Lady Tremaine, Captain Hook, Madame Medusa, The Evil Queen, Maleficent, Yzma, Gaston, Ursula, and Jafar), with removable documents like Gaston's school report card, Ursula's flowchart plotting herise to Ruler of the Sea, Maleficent's favorite clothing catalog, and more.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

My Granny's Purse - P. H. Hanson

Workman, 2003. Open a purse-shaped die-cut board book to reveal interactive features that include a notebook, sunglasses, phtos, a passport and treats. Mostly attached to the book because it's very popular with toddlers. There's also a sequel My Mommy's Tote / My Mummy's Bag.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ Fairie-ality: The Fashion Collection from the House of Ellwand

Candlewick 2002. 0763614133 (US). Walker Books 2009. 9780744557893 (UK). An enchanting exploration of the world of fairy fashion, this title is designed like a high production couture fashion catalog, including multiple paper stocks; metallic inks; fold-out booklets; a vellum envelope with removable fashion card; and mix-and-match outfit flaps. 

➤ Find US ed at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay

➤ OOP. Buy UK ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrated by Christopher Bing

Handprint Books, 2001. 9781929766130.

A rich and artistic interpretation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem and portrait of an American hero. Facsimile documents are affixed to the pages, and are unfolded to add to the story.

➤ Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ Ghoul School - David Roberts & Corina Fletcher

Harry N. Abrams 2000. 9780810941403. Welcome to Ms. Vampira's school, where timid souls are transformed into scary ghouls in the twinkling of a bat's eye. Full of paper engineering to manipulate with pop-ups and spinning wheels, and tiny removable props like spell books. 

➤ Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Spooky Scrapbook - Kees Moerbeek

Little Simon, 2000. 9780689834141 / Scholastic Australia, 2018. 9781742993683

The eerie tale of a most unusual birthday party where the guest of honor has already died twice. The cover is a box, and the affixed scrapbook within has pages with pop-ups and pull out props.

➤ Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Little Bo Peep's Library Book - Cressida Cowell

Orchard, 1999.  9780531301791. Hodder, 1999. 9780340722848.

Poor Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and cannot find them, but luckily her book-loving friend, Little Boy Blue, suggests that she find just the book she needs at the library. Includes three booklets that can be removed from the ‘library shelves'. Published as Little Bo Peep's Troublesome Sheep in the UK. Only hardback editions have removable books.

➤ Buy US ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

➤ Buy UK ed from Amazon | Abes | eBay

Max's Letter - Ken Wilson-Max

Little Brown/Chrysalis, 1999. 

A board book in which readers help Buz send his letter to Max by physically “posting” the included letter from his backpack through various mail box slots.

➤ Buy from Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Republic of Dreams: A Reverie - G. Garfield Crimmins

W. W. Norton & Company, 1998. 9780393046335.

A dreamscape in which the protagonists try to avoid the villainous League of Common Sense. Includes a removable “poetic licence”, maps, postcards and a passport.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Mapped Out! The Search for Snookums - Carol Baicker-McKee, illustrated by Traci O'Very Covey

Gibbs Smith, 1997. 9780879057886.

Readers use maps and clues to help blind detective Biance Beare rescue a rare pet iguana (readers often remember this as a lizard, so I'm including that as a keyword here for searchers) from kidnappers. Includes removable clues in envelopes and a map at the back.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Aunty Dot's Incredible Adventure Atlas - Eljay Yildirim, illustrated by Brigitte McDonald

HarperCollins, 1997.

Aunty Dot writes to her niece and nephew about the exotic places she visits with Uncle Frank. Includes flaps to open with postcards and letters in envelopes.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

★ Botticelli's Bed & Breakfast - Jan Pienkowski

Kingfisher Books, 1996. 

A pop-up carousel house, which hides 54 art masterpieces and a removable booklet about the artworks.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

☞ Watch my video review of this book, I adore it.

Unbelievable Workshop Playbook

HarperCollins, 1996. 

A mini paper workshop that includes detatchable tools to build a rocking horse, including a saw to cut the wood, glue to hold the pieces together, a hammer for the nails and a paintbrush. There's also an Unbelieveable Gardening Playbook and an Unbelievable Washday Playbook.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Follow the Star: All the Way to Bethlehem - Alan & Linda Parry

W Pub Group, 1994. 9780849911446.

The story of the birth of Jesus is accompanied by games and activities, including an angel, a board game, a jigsaw puzzle, a maze, and a star ornament.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Paddington Posts a Letter - Michael & Karen Bond, illustrated by Toni Goffe

Arrow, 1986. 9780091635404. 

Paddington Bear writes a letter to a friend and the reader helps direct the letter through flaps and slots on the pages.

➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay