Encino Elementary Students Learn About Making Pop-up Books From the Master

An auditorium full of elementary-age children squealed in delight on Tuesday as a popular artist revealed how he creates pop-up books, the latest of which is a three-dimensional rendering of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.

David A. Carter, who lives in northern California and is on a book-signing tour, visited at the request of a parent.

Carter has written 75 pop-up books, which are individually assembled by hand. An estimated 6 million have been sold internationally during his 25-year career.

It takes anywhere from three months to seven years for the self-described author, illustrator and paper engineer to complete a book, Carter said, adding that he always has multiple projects going at the same time.

Carter told the children how he liked to draw as a child and was especially turned onto art by his fourth-grade teacher, Miss Howard.

And when he was laid up with a broken leg for months during his high school years, he spent time honing his craft.

“My high school teacher told me I could make money from art,” Carter said, adding that he moved to Los Angeles and landed a job in a pop-up book company after college and where he met his wife. “You can make pop-up art and then write about it. You can do that.”

Carter read several books to the children, who oohed, aahed and giggled at slimy, smiley, kissing and purple pickle bugs in “The Big Bug Book.”

Others squirmed and shrieked with glee at the green ghost that popped out at the end of “In a Dark, Dark Wood.”

One young girl told Carter that he was a lot like her.

“I like to draw and I like dinosaurs and fossils too,” she said.

One student wanted to know where the pop-up goes once the book is closed. Another was curious how the colors were made and what was Carter’s favorite book.

“Books are interesting,” said Caleb Chin, a 7-year-old second grader. “[Carter’s] are perfect and don’t have any mistakes. Pop-up books are good books to experience reading.”

“He does good pop-up books,” said second-grader, Kate Chen, 8. “And he shows what’s happening and makes the figures in the book move.”

Carter’s visit was part of the culmination of “Reading Rocks” a book-reading program at the school that is now in its sixth year. The goal for the 550 students at Encino Elementary is to read 4,500 books. Last year they surpassed the 3,500 goal by reading 5,058, said Principal Marcia Koff.

“We’re encouraging reading all year,” Koff said.