Origami Chic

July 25, 2016
Song (Crease + Fold) clearly explains how to use origami to create tiny skirts, blouses, swimsuits, and fashion accessories just the right size for paper dolls, scrapbooks, or other methods of display. Each exercise opens with a quick rundown of the item’s history or use (“The LBD—also known as the little black dress—is an absolute must for any fashionista’s closet”), followed by illustrated step-by-step directions for folding crop tops, rompers, high heels, sunglasses, and other objects. More than 40 removable sheets of origami paper—featuring animal prints, florals, and other vibrant designs—are included. Ages 9–13.

May 15, 2016
Grades 4-7 Origami lovers who are hoping for something more hip than paper sailboats, animals, and flowers will likely be delighted by Song's fashion-focused offering. After a brief introduction with a handy rundown of basic instructions, Song gets right to the patterns. Each design opens with an image of the finished product and some style tips, which can function both for composing a paper-doll-worthy origami outfit or for styling actual human-sized clothes. The designs range in difficulty, and some origami experience will likely be helpful, but even the toughest patterns are clearly explained in the illustrated step-by-step instructions, which include some tips on adjusting folds for tailoring. Some fashion folders might be a bit frustrated by the patterns' scale: the high heels, for instance, would end up being about the same size as the little black dress. Still, couture-minded kids will appreciate Song's offbeat take on origami. Librarian alert: a thick set of double-sided sheets of origami paper in cool patterns and colors make up the final pagesdon't expect those to last long.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)