Moby-Dick: A Pop-Up Book

by Sam Ita

“Call me Ishmael.” Three of the most famous words in all literature, they begin Herman Melville’s masterpiece, Moby-Dick. Now, the epic saga of Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest for the white whale comes vividly to life in this three-dimensional graphic novel, the first of its kind. This phenomenal work is the creation of multi-talented artist Sam Ita, apprentice to Robert Sabuda—one of the world’s master paper engineers. Every amazing element is awe-inspiring: there’s not just one pop-up per spread, but several, surrounded by colorful comic book-style panels that convey the story’s drama.
Some of the pops-ups are huge and incredibly detailed, like the Pequod itself, which rises gloriously from the page, complete with rigging. Others, smaller but no less wonderful, hide beneath flaps and folds. In one instance, readers actually get to look through a 3-D periscope and see Ishmael through the “lens,” drifting in the ocean.
The quality of Ita’s paper engineering is nothing short of breathtaking and will carry you off on an unforgettable adventure.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Classics, Fiction, Comics, Picture Books

21 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jeimy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s almost impossible to reduce this opus into a pop-up book of less than 12 pages. It is a good effort, but ultimately I wasn’t even a fan of the art.

[Nancy Breinholt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally abbreviated story, but seriously. An amazing pop up book combined with a fabulous graphic novel. It was so abridged I missed a few of my favorite parts, but such a great book for kids and adults alike.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Moby-Dick pop up book. I'm not entirely sure which I preferred, although both were certainly charming in their own way. This one definitely took some small liberties in how the story was told (to make it fit better into the confines of a pop-up book), but I loved the illustrations and all the extra flaps and corners to peek into. My favorite part was probably the spyglass at the very end, where you could actually look through and see Ishmael floating in the surf, clutching at Queequeg's coffin.

[Tilápia frita · Rating 2 out of 5]

É estranha a escolha do livro para adaptação infantil, mas tudo bem, gostei bastante dos pop-ups do livro; simplesmente incrível o navio inteiro em papel e aquela página em que você olha em um binóculo dentro do livro e da pra ver o carinha boiando na água, muito legal. A história ficou comprimida nesse formato, mas deu pra entender, ficou bom, leitura rápida, se tiver alguém que tenha o livro pegue emprestado, não acho que vale a pena comprar esse, fora que na prateleira fica enorme, parece que eu sou muito fã de moby dick asygduyafijqpokdpsk

[Nathan Muschinske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pop up book that captures the basic story of Moby Dick that can be enjoyable for all ages. I bought this book as it was required reading for a literature class in addition to the original novel. Needless to say, this one was a quicker read than the novel and I actually finished reading this one unlike the actual novel (but mist say I got farther reading it than any other classmates).

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the amazing pop-up artistry, and 3 star for the summation story so all in all 4 stars.

The story itself is a jarring summation of a classic tale. If you know the story you’ll love the book, but if the more subtle parts of Moby Dick are unfamiliar you may find following this comic book style story a little more complex.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t particularly like Moby Dick. I thought a more simplified version would make me like it more, but alas, it still seemed bizarre and uninteresting. The three stars are more for the quality of the pop ups than the actual story itself.

[Marco den Ouden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a richly illustrated retelling of Herman Melville's Moby Dick. The pop-up artwork by Sam Ita is simply amazing, intricate and very detailed. I thought the storyline could have been handled better

[Myra Benedict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moby Dick is a very famous story and this book has very nice art and it does encourage you to read more about the story!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of the book is artwork, its amazing Pop-up book. And the story is fine too.

[Wasif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing pop up book about the Moby Dick. Had a good time reading and watching the story.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pop ups are impressive but I don’t feel like I got the whole story.

[Enos · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Ian Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the barest summary of the novel but it is a beautiful artefact of literature. The pop-up bits are exquisitely constructed and add to the very brief retelling of the book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was fun.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pop-ups in this book are amazing! It has spinning whirlpools, a telescope, stormy waves, a full rigged ship... It's no wonder they call the artists "paper engineers." I considered giving this book to my 9-year-old nephew, but I think it would be a bit awkward and confusing for a reader who didn't already know the story of Moby Dick, especially with the comic-book-style short-attention-span dialog. But maybe I was just looking for excuses to keep the book for myself.

By the way, it was on sale right after Christmas at my local Barnes and Noble for about $17, I think.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read other reviews that tout this as a good introduction for children to great literature, which I think is off the mark somewhat; I don’t think this book is really meant for kids! This was a gift from a friend (one of the best gifts I’ve ever received) and I laughed and laughed when I opened it. No, I don’t think this is for children, but instead meant as a delightful “In Joke” for those who know and love Moby Dick and get a kick out of seeing a colossal philosophical work reduced to 20 pages of campy fun!

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The paper engineering in this book is amazing, but I was disappointed by the graphics. The dot-eyes and the line quality (as if with a felt-tip marker) look amateurish, like something a seventh-grader would draw in his notebook. The drawings are simple, and not in a good way; Persepolis had a simple style whose clarity packs a punch.
I have never read the original Moby-Dick; what I know of the story comes mostly from attending a performance of Orson Welles' Moby-Dick Rehearsed.

[Kassie]

possibly the only way i can get through this book will be thanks to the dazzle of pop-up panoramas. knowing me, i will be fascinated, then terrified by the unexplainable magic popping from the pages and will be forced to destroy such a bewildering demon. i guess i should just stick with gregory peck.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this at the New Bedford Whaling Museum after finishing the annual Moby Dick Marathon reading. The pop-ups are awesome, especially the Pequod with rigging.



Showed this off to my co-workers and they're all eager to make pop-up books of life in cubicles now. Showed this to my BFF the Hermit Potter at lunch today. He digs it too. Best pop-up book ever.

[Findlay Pennekamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really inspired summary of MOBY DICK that tackles some of the best parts of the book, and even some of the most internal and character driven, but it's done in GREAT BIG GIANT ELABORATE POP-UPs. I mean -- woah -- can books get any better this this?

Thanks, Adam, Brigitte & Piper! I'm going to LOVE this book for a very, very, very long time!!

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it's not really Moby-Dick, of course, but the pop-ups are detailed and fascinating. I'd give it five stars if it included the bit where "Ishmael" imagines one severed whale head to be Plato's and another to be Kant's.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel/pop-up hybrid adaptation of Moby Dick made by an apprentice of Sabuda. It's impressive to look at but surprisingly short, and, I don't know, not that interesting. I have no interest in reading the actual book Moby Dick, so this will suffice.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is necessarily abbreviated, so following the story is sometimes difficult for the kids, but the art makes it all worth while. My six year old is engaged by this book and I share his delight in it. A great way to introduce a classic story.

[sweet pea · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a brilliant, often hilarious, graphic novel/ pop-up hybrid. the art is stunning. the pop-ups are stunning. the feature with the sailors raising their glasses to the beat of the tambourine is damn funny. a truly awesome book.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the coolest pop-up books ever! It's a pop-up book AND it's a comic. But it's not much of a comic. It's version of Moby Dick skips over all of my favorite parts of the book, but that's not surprising when the pop-up book only has 12 pages to tell ALL of Moby Dick.

[Grace Manalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING. I met Sam this passed weekend at the NY Art Book Fair. He's a truly talented artist, and I've never seen such intricately designed pop up books. I WANT THEM ALL! Thanks for the copy, Sam!!!! (:

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a graphic novel with amazing pop-ups and details. It works better if you've already read the complete text.

[Gerry M]

My six year old son loves it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A graphic novel and a pop-up by one of Robert Sabuda's apprentices. Glorious!