A welcome addition to Dover Publications paper crafting library. Colorful photos and detailed, step-by-step folding instructions are included for each project (along with an ample supply of paper). And as always, introductory explanations and diagrams about folding precede the projects. Some of the "animals" are more easily recognized than others upon finishing the projects. Still, five stars. Good projects for a beginning paper folder.

Not Beginner Friendly

I'm still relatively new to origami, as it is a pastime I have taken up during the pandemic. As I am a beginner, I found the directions for these origami animals hard to follow. The authors do describe what the symbols and other markings mean in the diagrams (a few of which were not clear), but then they combine several steps within a step, making it hard to figure out precisely what you should do. Written instructions go along with the animal-making diagrams, but I only found them to be helpful when I was unsure about what to do on rare occasions. I also wasn't wild about the flow of the book. For whatever reason, the two facing pages flowed from top to bottom on the left but bottom to top on the right, sometimes veering out to the sides as well. As westerners, we're trained to read from top to bottom, so reading from bottom to top felt very uncomfortable. My eye did not just naturally go there. Because of things being slightly off the side as well, you had to look at the numbers to make sure where to go next. I thought some colors used in the diagrams were too dark, making the symbols hard to see. If you already know origami, this book might be a fun one for you. However, if you're a relative newbie like me, you may find these too complicated to do with instructions and diagrams that are not beginner friendly.

This is a great book for learning how to make origami animals! It has wonderful illustrations and directions to help you create the animals. It was fairly easy and quick to make the animals. I made a cat and dog while I waited for dinner to bake! It would be a great unplugged family activity or fun to do on a rainy/snowy day! I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys making paper crafts!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dover Publications for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Although this book comes of as a basic origami edition, I really enjoyed making these animals. A very well described explanation of how to make these animals. Lots of new projects!

This is a nice collection of simple origami designs. I followed the instructions for the cat and had no problems at all. The illustrated instructions are accompanied by simple written instructions for complete clarity. I think this would make a great set for kids looking for a crafty project but without prior experience with origami. Younger kids would need some assistance from an adult or older child.

Thank you Dover Publications and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Origami Animals is a collection of 8 projects bundled with 200 sheets of two-sided origami paper. Released 16th Sept 2020 by Dover, it's a 56 page folding manual + 200 sheets of paper and available in paperback format.

The 8 projects included (see cover) are all attainable by a keen beginner. Of the 8 folds, I was previously familiar with only 1 (the traditional cat). There is also a bird, caterpillar, 9 fold butterfly, crab, scottie dog, turtle and owl. The introduction includes standard basic folding diagrams showing the techniques and basic folds. Each of the projects includes full color pictures, as well as line drawn process tutorials which are fairly easy to follow. The projects are written by well known origamists and the tutorial drawings are clear and easy to follow.

Dover is well known for their origami and other papercrafting and illustration books. This one is full of fun examples of origami for all levels of expertise and comes bundled with paper to get started right away. I received an electronic review copy, so I can't speak to the quality of the paper included with the bundle, but their other origami books have good quality paper, so presumably that will carry over to this volume as well.

Highly recommended to makers' groups, activity groups, art units in a classroom setting, library activity, gift for a young origamist, etc. Five stars - short and simple.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I enjoy papercrafting and have been trying my hand at folding origami, however I've come to realize it's not just for me (as is cutting in a straight line despite rulers, paper cutters, etc.). I really liked Origami Animals as it breaks down each fold with clear instructions (that I just simply can't follow). It truly is an art form, and I'm almost positive when I ask my 8 year old niece to work on it, she'll blow me out of the water, while I still struggle with 'basic folds. The book is wonderful and I'd rather give it as a gift to someone who has the patience and ability to follow instructions; in my case it's user error, not the manual itself. #OrigamiAnimals #NetGalley