Origami to Astonish and Amuse: Over 400 Original Models, Including Such Classics as the Chocolate-Covered Ant, the Transvestite Puppet, the Invisible Duck, and Many More!

As an experienced paper folder [been at it for 50 years of my life!] I feel I am able to offer a few words here. The book is created by an entertainer and the content is in the style of an entertainment rather than the drier style usually employed. The projects are fun to make and wonderfully illustrated ... however I would not advise this as your first ever book on origami! You need to be able to judge what sort of paper and what thickness will work better with which model and be able to work with a lot more precision than that of the complete beginner - but as it is the best value for money you will ever see it is worth buying this and keeping it until you are ready for it. It is just 'that' good! I cannot imagine any collection of books about origami to be complete without this work. There is so much that cannot be found anywhare else presented in a unique style. I was Astonished and I was Amused - and for the price these days, this was a 'must have' for me!

The book has plenty of fun models, lots of easy ones quick to make and to show off to your friends, and lots of harder models to challenge yourself and really amaze people. The instructions are clear and precise. I'd recommend this book to anyone. This book helps you realise the vast amount of things that can be made out of a single sheet of paper. I also used some of the techniques used in this book to create 2 of my own origami creations; a smiley face mask and a tribal thing you can wear on your nose! Jeremy Shafer is a legend and everyone should check out his youtube channel for more great models :)

I got this for my son (age 9) who had developed a fascination with origami. The models range in difficulty from easy to impossible, and they're all so much fun that we were both quickly improving our skills by trying more and more ambitious designs. Really addictive, and super fun for the whole family. My favourite is still the 'interlocking rings' - simple to fold and great to astonish people with. (It's not easy to get decent paper here in the UK, I've noticed, even on line. We found some of reasonable quality at an art shop, and of course Bookends in London (Exmouth Market) is great. But finding the 'Japanese Foil' needed for really complex stuff is impossible.)

I like this book. I cannot get extremely excited about it and I will tell you why. My one and only issue with this book is, even though it's so BIG and packed, most of the designs aren't really that...practical or useful? Some designs I have been looking at and thinking, 'WHY?' Why does this particular design exist? I have made the 'blinking eyes', 'exploding envelope' and the 'men's suit' designs. The blinking eyes did astonish and amuse my friends, and so did the men's suit, to some extent. I made the blinking eyes because it is very simple to make with such a big effect. It does astonish people. When I tried to explode my exploding envelope it kept tearing. I do use actual origami paper, but I am willing to entertain the possibility I was doing something wrong or the paper wasn't suitable. The men's suit I made from a piece of paper that was purple on one side and black with a gold pattern on the other which reminded me of a friend who is so eccentric he would probably wear a purple silk-lined black suit with a gold pattern (a bit like Cat from Red Dwarf). A design such as the suit is good for the front of a greetings card or to stick in a journal . The nail clippers and army knife look like mountains to climb but very satifying and astonishing once made, so I get those and I figuratively shake Jeremy Shafer's hand for such a complex design. The tutorials themselves are very easy to follow and Jeremy does have some videos on Youtube demonstrating some of them. The book is NOT in full colour. It's in black white and blue. 'Subtle' humour waste of paper designs: Upside down heart, clogged artery, carbon atom (basically folding a piece of paper to its smallest form), monothilic rubblestone boulder (screwing up the paper)... I feel some designs are used to pad out the book. Some designs are good for the front of greetings cards, or even to frame for decoration, and some are truly astonishing party tricks. Some are just a waste of paper. It IS a good book, though.

My 8 yr old is an origami addict. Pretty much all Jeremy Shafer's designs shown in this book are on his you tube channel. From the videos it's clear that Jeremy Shafer is a clever , pleasant and fairly young man. His you tube channel is safe for my little boy to watch. When used with this book the videos help with some of the complex folds shown. Of course you don't need you tube to use this book. My 8 yr old has managed surfer on a wave, Venus flytrap etc. all models are graded with difficulty level. It's his favourite book and has asked for ooh la la origami for his main birthday gift . This isn't just a book for youngsters - I can't manage the HI or complex grade models....

I just wanted to add my review of this book, to help show the world how this is a gem and well deserves the almost universal 5 stars given in both the UK and US Amazon sites. To paraphrase a line from Aladdin, do not be deceived by its commonplace appearance. This is definitely a diamond in the rough. Jeremy Shafer writes with an irreverent and amusing style which helps a lot when trying to fold the more complex models, as it encourages you not only to keep trying but also to experiment and make your own variations. Some of the models are very much for the experienced origamist, but most are quite achievable with a bit of patience. In the meantime, you're treated to some of the most, truly deranged and original models I have ever seen in a book on paper folding (I am still trying to get the Invisible Duck right as I can't quite get the perfect look of Mr Shafer's example). I always like to see the look of astonishment on people's faces when I show that the "Two Interlocking Rings" are actually made from a single piece of paper. My favourite model is without a doubt the Flasher. It requires a lot of fiddling and patience but the end result is very satisfying.

My Boy, aged 12, absolutely loves this book. I told him it was a heritage book and to treasure it but that it would be some years before he would be able to "astonish or amuse". Well he was challenged from the word go and loves folding more and more intricate patterns. I am not saying it is suitable for a youngster or someone who is inexperienced, my grandson has been 'folding for some years now.

I bought this for my son, who loves making origami. He found the instructions easy to follow and has been really amazing the family with all his creativity. It has kept him occupied for weeks. I would really recommend this book for children of all ages.

年長の次男のリクエストで購入しました。 日本語が一切書かれていない「折り紙の本」です。 いくら折り紙が好きな次男でも無理なかぁと不安でした。 実際本を手に取り、折り始めましたがなんとかなるもんです。 丁寧な折図で日本語がなくても出来ました！ 子供のお気に入りは「波とサーファー」です。 とてもユーモラスな作品があり、見ているだけでも楽しめます。

very good book

Valido !!!

Kesinlikle ama kesinlikle HARİKA. Origami yapmayı seven herkes almalı. Sipariş etmek için hiçbir şeyden ENDİŞELENMENİZE GEREK YOK

Well put together. The illustrations are very helpful and nicely done. If your kid is a paper-folding maverick like mine, this one should keep them all busy for a few months at least.