Review by C.J. Bunce

The art of paper folding, called zhezhi, has been around a thousand years in China and Japan, and continues to manifest throughout Western culture.  In children’s books, we’ve seen modern book crafters design incredible fold-out books that allow kids to interact with story characters and settings.  A new book from Abrams Books for Young Readers provides another twist on fold-out book design, allowing each new page to interact with the last.  Star Wars Unfolds: The Original Trilogy sums up the first three Star Wars movies in a great nighttime storybook any young fan of the movies can enjoy.

How could you possibly sum up the original Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, in 24 scenes or quotes?  The creator himself, George Lucas tried it and the result was 750 images, documented in his Star Wars Frames boxed set (reviewed here at borg back in 2013).  Book designer Jade Rector did it with 24 quotes, interspersed with the cartoon artwork of the 700-person firm known as Titmouse, the company that also designed images for the Star Trek: Lower Decks animated series.

Readers page through one continuous piece of accordion-folded artwork, revealing four scene images every time a new page is opened, about 18 images in all, including read-along quotes from the movies’ key characters.  Together, it tells the entire story of the original trilogy.

It’s fun, it’s sturdy, and will be a good addition to your night-time reading shelf for your kids.  Star Wars Unfolds: The Original Trilogy is available now here at Amazon.