Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book Review - World's Best Origami

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Book Review - World's Best Origami

About the Book

Old or young, crafty or all thumbs, no matter what type of gift receiver is being remembered this holiday season, the new book World's Best Origami (ISBN: 9781615640539, Alpha Books, November 2010, $19.95) offers readers more than 100 of the most unique and best-loved origami patterns ever created.

Professional origami artist Nick Robinson guides readers through the process of folding paper. Each chapter begins with simple models, moving toward more difficult and demanding works. Once every diagram in the book has been folded, a personal style of unique folds can originate with practice. The book teaches readers how to:

View an origami folding diagram

World's Best Origami reviews, explains and includes an example of each of the core set of 15 symbols that are used in origami diagrams.

Make basic folds that provide basis for more complex pieces

More difficult variations of origami use obscure proportions. When a paper shape other than the traditional square is called for, Robinson offers guidelines to creating three-, five-, and six-sided paper; A4 rectangles; and 2x1 rectangles.

Continue to be challenged after the basics have been mastered

Robinson explains the many ways an origami student or expert can be further challenged. He recommends:

Joining a club
Retrieving more difficult patterns from the Internet
Producing original work

About the Author:
Nick Robinson (London, England, UK) is a professional origami artist and author who has been folding paper for 30 years. A member of the British Origami Society who edits its magazine and maintains its website, Nick has written over 30 books on origami, as well as numerous articles, and done several commercial and charitable origami commissions involving origami and paper art over the last 20 years. Nick has created several hundred original designs and teaches origami in schools, arts centers, and many other venues.

Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., publishes high- quality lifestyle and reference books in 30 different categories. The Complete Idiot's Guides®, Alpha Teach Yourself in 24 Hours, At Your Fingertips-- as well as other series and stand-alone titles -- provide helpful how-to information and general knowledge in an easily accessible manner.

My Take on the Book

I have not done origami since I was a kid, but when I was young my mother got me into doing origami and it was a lot of fun. Thus, when I was given this book to try out, it brought me back! My skills today are more in the basic realm, but this book was a great resource which provided me with a number of additional skills that assisted me in learning some new techniques as well as re-learning some skills that I thought that I had lost.

This book also gave me something else, and that was the ability to teach my children this beautiful art form. My kids had not seen origami before, so what I started showing them pictures and designs within the book, they were quick to ask me to make the images that they were seeing.

The book is laid out in such a way that anyone would understand and learn. From the first chapter of basics to more practical and intricate designs, this book has it all for the origami lover.

Overall, I was impressed by the ease in which the beginner to expert could learn from this book. The author has done a superb job at getting people connected to the art form as well as opening their eyes to the possibilities that surround them!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.