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Grades K–2 · Arts & Music

How can an accordion book open into one long picture?

An accordion book has connected panels that fold back and forth. Its paper makes a zigzag rather than a stack of separate pages turning around one spine.

F038 visual explanationConnected panels can gather or spread; gathered; connected picture stripConnected panels can gather or spreadgatheredconnected picture strip

In the diagramConnected panels can gather or spreadgatheredconnected picture strip

Four connected panels change from a compact zigzag to an extended picture strip. A continuous landscape crosses the panel boundaries.

When the panels gather, the book becomes a compact pile. Pulling them apart opens the folds and reveals a longer strip. Marks on neighboring panels can join into one continuous picture.

The same picture can be viewed a little at a time or spread out across many panels. Folding changes how much is visible at once. It does not change the order in which the panels are connected.

About this explanation

Starting knowledge: Recognize a long paper strip and folds that can open and close.

Sources

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art — Hiddenness: Accordion-fold Artist’s Book
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