I’ve always been curious how pop-up books are designed, more so when my daughter received as a gift the stunning Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland adaptation by Robert Sabuda.
Now I’m one step closer since my kids have learnt how to make pop-up cards. I uncovered over 40 different free templates for pop-up cards with detailed instructions. And none other than by the master of pop-up book art himself – Robert Sabuda. The creator of this 3-d version of the classic book by Lewis Carroll.
MORE IN POST BELOW ON HOW TO MAKE THE POP UP CARDS
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Sabuda contains six main pop-up scenes. Or I should say six visions of a three-dimensional Wonderland.
And to top it off each of these six double pages contains a booklet with more mini pop-ups. For example when you open up the booklets to read the abridged version of the original story, Alice’s neck elongates, or the Duchess’ baby turns into a pig, or a white rose turns red.

Mad Hatter’s tea party illustrated by Sir John Tenniel
The images of Alice and all the characters are in the style of Sir John Tenniel, the artist who illustrated the original Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865. Sabuda has infused them with colour, 3-dimensionality and even tactility. The plates at the Mad Hatter’s tea party are made of foil. There’s even felt on the Cheshire cat. You can pull out like an accordion and peep down the Rabbit hole as Alice falls.
Robert Sabuda is also known as a paper engineer, but he described himself in a 2003 radio interview as simply a “children’s book maker.” Indeed the books are actually hand made. Each book is assembled by people, not machines, who fold and glue and put together each part.
In the final pop-up scene Sabuda made sure that there were exactly two decks of playing cards (104 cards) that fall – or I should say leap up – around Alice.
Homemade Kids Pop-up Cards
On Robert Sabuda’s website he has a page with dozens and dozens of templates.
All you need to do is print out a template on card stock or construction paper. Then cut and glue. There are detailed instructions but we found the cards easy to make.
My daughter went for the Easter theme and made a pop-up rabbit.
My son chose a three-masted ship. We made a plain one and then another which he coloured in before we assembled.
>>>> You can find the templates which Robert Sabuda has made available to print for free here. (Please note that the templates are copyright of Robert Sabuda) <<<<
I was fascinated at seeing how pop-up cards are made. I had to help my kids fold and glue the cards but otherwise they were easy for them to make.
Unlike the Alice book which really is a pop-up wonderland. Apart from being a beautiful and collectible gift book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland pop-up adaption by Robert Sabuda is also a magical way to introduce this classic story to young children.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was originally published in 2003 but is still available in book shops or on US Amazon and UK Amazon.
My children were given another of Sabuda’s pop-up books – The Twelve Days of Christmas – when they were newborn. Since then, every Christmas it has come off the shelf for us to peruse and wonder at.
After making the bunny and the ship, my kids are now insisting they make lots more pop-up cards including the Easter basket, the ghost, the unicorn and the shark!
The Reading Residence says
That is such a beautiful book and those cards look wonderful!
Kriss says
My kids loved doing the cards so much that they boy insisted on taking them to show their classes today!
Izzie Anderton says
Oh, now these are lovely x
My daughters always loved a pop-up book when they were small.
Kriss says
Thanks Izzie. My daughter especially adores pop-up books.
Kirsty says
The pop up version of Alice in Wonderland looks absolutely amazing! The pop-up scenes look so detailed and really bring the tale to life. I am really excited by the pop ups you can create at home too! I’m off to go and take a look at the selection now. Have pinned to my easter boards too and thank you so much for joining in with #kidsbookaweek
Donna says
Oh that book is beautiful! I love the cards jumping up around Alice x
Maria says
I love these! Thank you for this post! Pining to my education section.
Maria
Mrs.AOK says
I’ll have to pin this, this will be fun to do over Spring Break.
The Alice in Wonderland book is gorgeous.
My son watched Alice in Wonderland for the first time last week before our trip to Disney World.
However, that book is far more intriguing, I love it!
XOXO
Erika says
Beautiful book! I’m a big fan of Alice and the idea of bringing it into the 3D world is very cool. I particularly like the picture of Alice being attacked by the cards.
Steph @MisplacedBrit says
Those pop-up cards are fantastic! …They look so advanced… And so easy! Great job.