Robert Sabuda’s The Christmas Alphabet is a pioneering work in contemporary pop-up book design, first published in 1994. Featuring 26 elegantly crafted pop-up scenes—one for each letter of the alphabet—this book captures the magic and symbolism of the Christmas season with masterful simplicity and sophistication.
Each page contains a flap with a single capital letter. Lifting it reveals a white, three-dimensional sculpture symbolizing a holiday element that begins with that letter: “A” opens to reveal an angel, “B” a bell, “C” a candle, and so on. Sabuda’s use of a restrained color palette—primarily white with strategic splashes of red and green—lends the book a timeless and refined quality. His crisp paper engineering and clever use of negative space create scenes that feel both delicate and dynamic.
The Christmas Alphabet was Sabuda’s breakthrough pop-up book, setting the standard for his later, more elaborate works. It’s highly regarded among collectors and holiday enthusiasts for its originality, craftsmanship, and nostalgic charm.
