Best Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Books
Best Valentine's Day Pop-Up Books
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Introduction
One of the best pop-up gifts for someone you love is a book you’ve selected that aligns with their personal interests, so if you’re looking for the very best in pop-ups covering an enormous range of themes, definitely check out the Meggendorfer prize-winners and lists of each year’s finalists – these are all spectacular and you won’t be disappointed.
But sometimes you just need something special to show someone how much you love them, be it for a warm bedtime story, a token of affection, of a beautiful keepsake for yourself (there’s nothing wrong with a little self-love). This is my Valentine’s Day gift guide – a list of the most beautiful, clever, funny and delightful pop-up books published on the theme of love.
Valentine's Day Pop-Up Gift Guide
Love
Brief passages beginning with the words “I love you because…” are illustrated with twelve alternating flat and captivating pop-up spreads.
Paper engineer: Robert Sabuda
Publisher: Candlewick
Publication date: March 2021
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository
I Love You
You’ll find a delightful tribute to love in every spread of Carter’s clever small-format “👁 love you” (and a hidden heart for you to find in all the spreads as well).
Paper engineer: David A. Carter
Publisher: Abrams
Publication date: December 2017
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository
My Foolish Heart: A Pop-Up Book of Love
A quirky mini-book that takes you through six heart-themed expressions interpreted as pop-up sculptures, from brave-hearted (a heart that looks like a tiger) to light-hearted (a heart surrounded by lightbulbs).
Paper engineer: Nick Bantock
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication date: Nov 2017
Guess How Much I Love You
A gorgeous pop-up edition of the picture book classic, where Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare try to express just how much they love each other.
Paper engineer: Corina Fletcher, illustrated by Anita Jeram, text by Sam McBratney
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication date: Oct 2011
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository
Disney Princess: A Magical Pop-Up World
A romantic collection of key moments from eleven Disney princess films leap from each page – join Cinderella as she transforms for the ball, Jasmine as she embarks on a magic carpet ride, Aurora as she pricks her finger on Maleficent’s spinning wheel and is saved by her prince, and Merida as she bravely fights to decide her own destiny.
Paper engineer: Matthew Reinhart
Publisher: Insight Editions
Publication date: November 2017
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository | Abes | eBay
Love You Forever: Pop-Up Edition
A pop-up adaptation of the classic picture book about the endless love of a parent. Double-page spreads and gatefolds include features that create a rocking motion each time the chorus is repeated.
Paper engineer: Bruce Foster, illustrated by Sheila McGraw, written by Robert Munsch
Publisher: Firefly Books
Publication date: Sep 2017
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository
Love
Brief passages beginning with the words “I love you because…” are illustrated with twelve alternating flat and captivating pop-up spreads.
Paper engineer: Robert Sabuda
Publisher: Candlewick
Publication date: March 2021
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository
➤ OOP. Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay
I Love You (Almost Always): A Pop-Up Book of Friendship
A sweet tale about how two very different creatures (a firefly and a roly poly) can still be the best of friends.
Paper engineer: Anna Llenas
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Publication date: February 2020
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository
Everyone Says I Love You: A Pop-Up Trip Around the World
Each spread in this sweet pop-up book features a different country’s way of saying “I love you” along with an iconic pop-up from that location, ranging from the Eiffel Tower in France, to a gondola in Italy, to an African safari.
Paper engineer: Beegee Tolpa
Publisher: Price Stern Sloan
Publication date: December 2009
Love Bugs
A playful heart-shaped pop-up celebrating a bunch of adorable love bugs, cupid bugs, kissing bugs, and more.
Paper engineer: David A. Carter
Publisher: Little Simon
Publication date: January 2003
➤ Find it at Amazon | Book Depository