The Encyclopaedia of Origami  
By Nick Robinson

    I first made the acquaintance of this fascinating Japanese tradition at the age of seven, in the shape of a packet of papers and a Robert Harbin book. This kit was intended to take my mind off the inevitable travel sickness whilst going on a holiday and it absorbed me utterly. Here is a book with something to offer all levels of folders - just buy some origami paper and off you go.

   Total beginners are safe in the competent hands of Search Press’ masterly Encyclopaedia series. This useful primer takes you through all the basic stages with some really clear diagrams and plenty of folding exercises. Find out about what papers to buy, all about the various bases and then off you go with some useful boxes, humorous visual jokes and some decorative pieces as well as a hat. Sections on intermediate and advanced folds follow with some nice pieces, then the inevitable gallery of work. Rather misleadingly these gallery pieces crop up all over the place including on the cover and as there are no instructions for them I was left just wishing. My verdict is that this is a handsome book that any beginner will welcome with open arms, as it is very accessible and easy to follow - even more so than the one I learned from. More advanced folders might be better off with something else; but as true beginners books for any subject are rather rare then this does hit the spot where perhaps it is most needed.