When I was growing up, I was told that Walt Disney created the first animated movies and storyboards. Imagine my surprise when I came across a picture book biography of Lotte Reiniger and discovered that, in 1920s Germany, a woman was already doing both!
This book would be perfect for any kids interested in stop-motion filmmaking or early animation. After reading this beautifully illustrated biography, I immediately pulled up The Ornament of the Loving Heart, one her early four-minute films on YouTube to watch with my teens. It turned into a delightful little rabbit trail!
It also reminded me of another paper-cutting favorite—Appolonia’s Valentine by Katherine Milhous—which is on our Valentine’s Day book list and available to read online on Internet Archive.
Do you have any other paper-cutting books to recommend? Drop them in the comments if you do!
Book details:
Cut!: How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation by C. E. Winters and Matt Schu
Appolonia’s Valentine by Katherine Milhous
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I wanted to suggest the book “The Amazing Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen” written by Beth Wagner Brust. It is a biography of Hans Christian Andersen, but it also showcases his art and methodology throughout the book.