Troll Associates (Publisher)
Creepy Crawly Halloween Fright (Pop-Up Book)
Long Beach, CA: Troll Associates, 1994. First edition, first printing. Signed by Robert Sabuda under the pseudonym “Thomas Beach.” Oblong octavo (21.5 x 28 cm). [10] leaves. Full-color pictorial boards. Illustrated and engineered throughout with pop-up elements on every page. Printed in Colombia. Fine condition — appears unread, with all pop-ups pristine. A fresh, as-issued copy preserved from new old stock and opened only for the author’s signature.
This debut pop-up book by Robert Sabuda was published under the pseudonym “Thomas Beach,” a name Sabuda used only for this title. Sabuda has since confirmed his authorship, and Creepy Crawly Halloween Fright is widely considered his first published work of paper engineering. The book consists of six vivid and interactive pop-up spreads featuring Halloween-themed surprises — from spiders to skeletons — rendered in high-contrast colors designed to engage and delight children.
Because it received only a single printing in 1994 before being quickly withdrawn, the book has become one of the most collectible Sabuda titles. Copies in this condition — especially signed and unopened — are uncommon.
Condition: Fine. Unused and bright. All pop-ups in excellent functioning condition. Minor shelf toning only. Signed in black ink on the front free endpaper as “Thomas Beach” by Robert Sabuda.
Collector’s Corner:
Robert Sabuda (b. 1965) is one of the most celebrated American paper engineers of the modern era. A graduate of Pratt Institute, he began his career in children’s book design and illustration before emerging as a master of movable book design in the 1990s. Sabuda’s works are renowned for their complex mechanics and artistic innovation, with landmark titles including The Christmas Alphabet (1994), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (2000), and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (2003). His books have been translated into multiple languages and are held in the collections of the Smithsonian, the New York Public Library, and the Grolier Club.
This early Halloween-themed work under a pseudonym represents a unique entry point into Sabuda’s celebrated career, prized by collectors not only for its rarity but also for its playful tone and historical significance as his first published pop-up design.
References:
-
Ellen G. K. Rubin, “Pop-Up Books: An Informal Survey,” Movable Stationary, Vol. 13, No. 2 (1995).
-
Sabuda, Robert. “FAQ.” RobertSabuda.com. Accessed July 2025.