Pop-up Books: April Sneak Peek

April Sneak Peek

Robert recently attended the opening of his exhibit at the NCCIL in Texas. We have pictures of the event to share with you!

The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature exhibits the finest art from books in an effort to inspire children to read and to appreciate art. NCCIL is located in Abilene, TX but its exhibits travel for two years and are seen in 18 states.
		Robert's exhibit, Travels in Time and Space, opened in Abilene on March 6th. Here you can see artwork from "The Blizzard's Robe." The illustrations were done in vivid batiks. In this technique the artist meticulously layers wax and dye to create images.		Illustrations from Robert's books line the gallery walls. Each picture shows how the artwork looked before text was added. Although the artist knows the story before he creates pictures, the words are the last thing to be added to each page.

This is a mock up of the gingerbread house in "Cookie Count: A Tasty Pop-up." This is how Robert tests the construction of the pop up design before any color has been added. This was the most difficult single pop-up piece Robert has ever worked on!

To the left are three pieces of original artwork for "Cookie Count." The images are cut by a machine and glued onto the pop up design to create the finished art. If you were to open the book above, you would see the finished gingerbread masterpiece.

This artwork is from "Arthur and the Sword." Robert used liquid lead and and glass dye to create the luminous images. As a child, Robert watched his aunt make stained glass on her kitchen table.

Pop-ups are enclosed in plexiglass with an opening at the bottom so that people can reach up and turn the pages. This is a scene from "Kwanzaa Celebration." As you move the page the trombone slides back and forth.

Robert visits his exhibition for the first time and is given a private tour by NCCIL "fairy godmother" Becky McDonald. The exhibit will be open through June 28th and then goes on tour.

Robert is being filmed for his gallery talk, "Travels in Time and Space", where Robert shares how he creates all of the different kinds of illustrations and pop-ups you see in his books. You can purchase the completed video in the Gift Shop.				The NCCIL scheduled times book lovers could come hear Robert share stories about his creations. The woman to the left attended "Lunch with Robert Sabuda." Above Robert stands outside by one of the signs that announces the opening of his exhibit. >>See more photos from the exhibit>>

The Robert Sabuda "Travels in Time and Space" exhibition is open March 6th through August, 2003. After that date the exhibit will tour the United States and be seen at several additional locations.

The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am - 4 pm. Admission is free. The NCCIL museum is located at 102 Cedar Street, Abilene TX.