Over the years we’ve covered a wide range of hard-to-find projects on PaperSpecs; celebrity invitations, super-expensive wines and spirit packages, you name it. But we’ve really had to venture into the Internet outback to hunt up images of this one. Stands to reason, I suppose: The boogeyman only reveals himself when you least expect it. In this case, the boogeyman is a real-life recreation of the pop-up book at the center of the 2014Ā Australian horror film “The Babadook.” In all, 6,200 copies were sold in a 50-day online campaign for about $60 each, with the first 5,000 autographed by “Babadook” writer/director Jennifer Kent.
Before you can appreciate this volume, it probably helps to have some idea what role it plays in the film. Cue trailer:
Pretty frightening, no?
Director Kent partnered with paper engineerĀ Simon Arizpe and illustrator Alexander Juhasz to bring that accursed volume to life, publishing the book through Insight Editions.
“All the specifications of the book are the same in the limited edition copies as they were in the film version, such as the color, binding and trim size,” Simon tells PaperSpecs. “However, the film only shows a few pages from the book. In creating the limited edition we used those same pages but also designed several new pages to complete the story.”
“In regards to the paper there was no special finishing,” he adds. “When working on a pop-up book I like to use uncoated/unfinished paper because it lets the pieces stick together moreĀ stronglyĀ when glued. After the paper is printed the pieces are die cut thenĀ each spread is assembled.”
Needless to say, this all required a herculean effort to pull off.
“I am based out of New York, Jen the director and Kristina the producer are in Australia, and Alex the illustrator is in Montreal,” Simon explains. “Because of this, we had to do a lot of late night/early morning Skype meetings to make sure we could find a time when everyone was awake. But we were all good sports about it, and for a while I always knew exactly what time it was in Sydney.
“For me what was really great about this project was that everyone involved was so passionate about working on it.Ā Everyone wanted to make the best possible book we could. That doesn’t happen on every project.Ā Also, it’s a horror pop-up book! When is the next time I am going to get the chance to make that?”
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Can you sell me that book the movie came out along time ago but I really need that book
Hi Orlando. Unfortunately copies of the book are very scarce ā they were part of a very small press run that was sold via Kickstarter. The best we can suggest is keeping an eye on eBay. Wish we could be of more help…
there’s a few on ebay now
Thanks for the heads up!
The books on amazon are $1800 us is there a way to get a print other than that?
I’m afraid unless you can find it on eBay or elsewhere for less, that appears to be the going price for it. Would love to see it come out in a more mainstream edition, but it might be a hard sell for a publisher considering the obscurity of the film itself.
I thought a second copy of the book was being made? Is it still happening? Has it already ?
I’m afraid we haven’t seen anything on this, Skye…
I’d like to purchase this book where can I do that?
Unfortunately it had a very limited print run and is now very rare, Amanda. The best we can suggest is keeping an eye on eBay. Sorry we couldn’t be of more help on this.
Oh man, I wanted to get this book after watching the movie, but a thousand buckaroos? No way jose. Fingers crossed for a second printing.
We’ll second that wish, Manuel…
I have a copy of the book, one of the hand numbered and signed copies, as in one of the first 2000. How much do you think it will be worth?
Nice! Looks like they’re going from $850 – $3,000: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR4.TRC2.A0.H0.Xbabadook+book.TRS0&_nkw=babadook+book&_sacat=0
can i plz have it i can’t find some for a chep price plz
Hey I have two copies of the book with the authors signature available. Please contact me if any iterest. We can work out a reasonable price less then the $1000 that are on eBay. I will check the thread.
Hi!
You still got a copy Dan?
Hi Dan
Do you still have these?
Thanks
Emma
Hey! I’m quite interested! š
Let me know something if you still have the books!
is this suppost for sale or something? becuase i can’t find a way to buy it!…maybe it’s not…
It’s very rare ā the only place to find it is on eBay these days…
Are the spreads A3?
what size in terms of paper are the spreads?
What are the dimensions of the book??
Anyone who has the book could you measure the pages and the front cover and give the dimensions to me.
Thanks.
I’d like to try to make my own but can’t find any page scans… if anyone has seen this please post.
Really enjoyed reading this article š I almost bought a book on Ebay yesterday, but then I discovered that they are making a second edition but it can only be ordered until September 1st 2019. Hope it is okay that I post the link here:
https://www.causewayfilms.com.au/babadookpopup
I already made an order. Really hope they hit that 2500 mark!
Great news ā I know that will make a lot of people very happy.
Also available on Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thebabadook/the-babadook-pop-up-book-2nd-edition-made-by-the-filmmakers
The 2nd attempt failed, cutoff was 9/1. However, I own a book that is signed in the limited run of the original 2,000. I opened it once to see the quality (it’s out of this world) and put it right back in the box and haven’t opened it since. I’ll open it tonight to see the number it is and post it here. I’ll take $1,000.00 for it if you’re interested. This is a truly awesome and now EXTREMELY rare collector’s item.
can we take the price down a little because I don’t have a lot of money. plz I really want a book like it
Hello Natasha, you don’t have to buy it at this price. You can simply buy the one that has no signature and no number and you can save. It ships are approximately between $ 300 and $ 600. Because those numbered and signed is a minimum of $ 1000 and more.
Hey all ā big news! Simon Arizpe, who engineered the pop-ups on the Babadook book, is going to be hosting our next free webinar all about making pop-ups. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3Rfs0P4
Hello, everyone!
Is there a reprint of the book coming up in 2022? For Halloween, for example?
Would really like the book, but I don’t have as much money as they offer on ebay( There’s 600 to 1000-somethingš±š±š±š±
I’d still like to buy for a reasonable price that I can afford. I’m ready even without any autographs. Just the book…
I’m afraid there are no plans to reprint the book, to the best of our knowledge. We’ll be sure to post something here if that changes. Sorry we couldn’t be of further help on this.
the book was great but the babadook is not after me
The Babadook might be experiencing a significant backlog. Be patient… all ‘dook things come to those who wait.
I still have this book in the original box sitting in a storage chest I take it out once in a blue moon
I think you just made a lot of people very envious, Tim.
Are you sure Aaron because I am willing to let it go
Thinking about letting it go to a new home it is actually my second one
If you take a quick glance at the comments on this post I think you’ll see how sought-after this book is. Have you looked it up on eBay ā I’m guessing they’re going for a pretty good price, if they’re available at all?
Yes I have and I know want someone to appreciate it as I have
Even better if there is a Mtg player that is looking for the book I am willing to make a trade
Hi Tim is this book still available, also is the signed and numbered copies the best to buy? I noticed some copies are just signed and not numbered
Few copies on eBay costing from $500 USD and up. Glad I still have mine from the first run and still original box and shipping container. Crazy prices on this book sure to keep going up over the years. Stephen King loved the movie and has made quotes on ā THE BABBADOOK: Deeply disturbing and highly recommended. You don’t watch it so much as experience it.ā
I have one brand-new signed and numbered first edition for sale.