Instructions For Making a Paper Tunnel Book
A tunnel book, also known as a paper peepshow, wonderbox, or theatre book, is a creative way to celebrate an event, tell a story, or depict a scene that creates the illusion of three dimensional perspectival space.
1
Tools
You will need scissors, glue, A4 or A3 card or paper (180-200gsm) for printing the template and a minimum of 2 sheets of paper (180-200gsm) to make the folded sides of your tunnel book. if you want to add a backdrop to your tunnel book and a peephole cover then you will need additional paper materials.
2
Print
Print the template on a standard inkjet printer - you will find the link for the tunnel book at the bottom of this webpage.
3
Cut
Cut out all the scenes for the tunnel book scene following the solid lines. There are five scenes in total.
4
Fold
You will need 2 identical sheets of paper (180-200gsm) or card to create the folded sides of your tunnel.
Begin by folding one of the sheets in half in landscape format, open up the paper and then fold the sides of the paper so that their edge line up with the middle fold line created.
Open up the paper. You will find that you have created four folded panels. Fold each panel in half again.
Continue to fold each panel in half until you are happy with the outcome.
You will need to make two identical folded panels for your tunnel book.
5
Create
You can now begin to assemble the tunnel book using glue to attach the cut out scenes to one of your folded sheets. Decide on the order of the scenes and size of the spacing then begin to glue each scene onto the folded panels.
Once you have glued the scenes to one side of the book you can begin to glue the scenes to the second folded side, making sure that each side exactly mirrors the other in terms of the order and the spacing.
You have the option to add embellishments to your tunnel book, such as adding a paper backdrop to your scene. Make sure that the backdrop sheet is cut to the same width as the tunnel book scenes.
To turn your tunnel book into a paper peepshow you will need an additional sheet of paper material with a with a hole cut out of the centre. The hole can be any size or shape. Make sure that the peephole sheet is the same width as the tunnel book. You can decorate this sheet with collage to create an interesting front cover.
Glue your peephole panel to the front of the tunnel book.
You can now take a look through the peephole to view the three-dimensional seaside scene inside.
Wonderbox was a participatory arts project that used the paper art and craft of tunnel books and paper peep shows to explore the stories and scenes of South Tyneside. The project was supported through a National Lottery Project Grant funded by Arts Council England with additional funding provided by South Tyneside Council.
