With 100 sheets of paper featuring bold, often whimsical patterns specially designed to complement the models, it’s a jazzy, essential book for every origami hobbyist, whether an old hand at folding or new to the craft.

Among the 50 models are a chef’s hat adorned with BBQ sauce labels, a “Card Shark” with a card-and-chip motif, and "The Patient Dog," whose spots are little clock faces. There are decorative models (African masks), action models (the Jumping Leopard Frog), models for kids (the Tyrannosaurus Rex), touching models (the Kissing Cranes), and origami disguises (fake noses, mustaches, and eyebrows).

The Joy of Origami also includes fun ways to fold a dollar bill, cool napkin folds, awesome newspaper hats, and oriami history and lore, including the account of a paper crane with a wingspan of 256.5 feet.

Book specifications: paperback, 260 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 8 in.
Publisher: Workman, 2005.