DUAL-FUNCTIONING BOOKS

There are some really cool books out there that go beyond being brick-and-mortar "text and illustration" books. They take things to the next level in that the physical book becomes a key part of the experience and incites its own separate experience. I have dubbed these dual-functioning books because––as the name would suggest––these books serve two functions: To be a book and to be something beyond a book. Check out some examples below!

                        

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Down to the Last Detail: D IS FOR DOG

This book is So. Much. Fun. How inviting is the die-cut cover, with three pups peeking out from behind a spot-glossed D? And the barcode is designed and integrated into the book's design, too?! Dream book!

Favorite Accessory-Dependent Books

ACCESSORY-DEPENDENT BOOKS

Accessory-dependent books are those that rely heavily on an extra tool or element for a more comprehensive reading experience. Such tools can include things like 3D glasses, sunlight, a magnifying glass, and even your surrounding environment. Sometimes the books on this list come with the tool you need, and sometimes you have to rely on your surroundings or preexisting knowledge to make the book work. Let's check out some of my favorites!

                      

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Favorite Pinocchio Picture Books

                

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SO MUCH SNOW

So Much Snow by Hyunmin Park has so much going for it, including a die-cut cover, a binding on the top of the book, a gatefold...the list goes on! AND it's (mostly) wordless!

Recode the Barcode

Flip any book over, and you'll see the barcode, the set of vertical black lines in varying widths with numbers around it, all shoved into a white box. This barcode is tied to book-specific information, including the price, so most modern books (and many items available for purchase in general) have one for easy check-out at the register. 

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GOTCHA!

Gotcha! by Clotilde Perrin and translated by Daniel Hahn is an oversized, lift-the-flap book about fairy tales and finding your inner power.

Let's Talk Illustrators #221: Nina Laden

I have absolutely fallen in love with author-illustrator Nina Laden's newest project The Trainbow! This book is on two of my favorites lists—board books and leporellos—so you know when I had the chance to chat with Nina about it, I took it immediately. Enjoy a peek at this beautifully-designed treasure of a book!

Favorite Laser Cut Books

LASER CUT BOOKS

Some books have pages or portions of pages with intricately-cut shapes. The process of creating these decorative contours is called laser cutting, which is exactly what it sounds like: a precision laser vaporizes any material (in this case, paper) within the negative space of the image. These laser cuts are especially common in pop-up books and carousel books to provide an extra layer of depth to the images.

                        

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