Origami Zoo: 25 Fun Paper Animal Creations!

By: Paul Jackson and Miri Golan
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Publication Date: March 2011
ISBN: 978-1423620167
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: April 15, 2011

It’s been a long time since I’ve tried my hand at creating origami decorations and so was eagerly anticipating re-learning the craft through Origami Zoo. I’ve had a wonderful time making numerous zoo animals and am happy to report I’m well on my way to becoming proficient to the point that I don’t go running when I see a mountain fold or even an inside reverse fold.

Origami Zoo begins with a multi-page introduction entitled “Read This!” and if it’s been a while since you’ve attempted origami, I would strongly advise that you take the authors’ advice. There are recommendations on what types of paper work best when origami paper is not available, folding tips, and an overview of techniques. Then it’s on to creating a zoo full of animals!

There are 25 animals to make, from a lovable koala to a butterfly and giraffe. Along with the directions, the book includes 60 pieces of colorful origami paper to get the reader well on her way to having a zoo full of creatures. The projects are arranged in order from the “very simple,” to “simple,” “intermediate,” and finally, “advanced.” This made it very easy to pick appropriate projects, and for those like myself who are quite rusty with origami, I’d suggest sticking to the very simple until you are comfortable with the techniques and your animals look like animals!

While it took me a few tries to get the hang of some of the more difficult folds, I found the book very nicely arranged, with good diagrams and instructions. It’s easy to distinguish the colored side of the paper from the white side in the illustrations, and the text that accompanies each drawing aided in the understanding of every step. Overall, it was a fun way to spend an afternoon and I am looking forward to working my way up to the advanced projects. If you’re interested in making origami animals, I would highly recommend this book to start filling up your zoo!

Quill says: The perfect project book for a parent wishing to spend some quality time with their older child as well as a fun book for anybody wishing to learn how to make origami zoo animals.