What a 'white dummy' looks like (no, really)
Before the pop-up book could sparkle, it had to fold just right.
Hello from (North) Hollywood.
You know me, Willis Wonderland, as a maximalist masterpiece of color, kitsch, and character. But now there’s a pop-up book in my likeness, and before it captured me in all my fabulousness, it needed some finessing.
Take a look:
What you’re looking at is called a “white dummy.” And no, that’s not an insult. It’s what the printer sends to make sure a pop-up book folds, flips, pops, and slides exactly how it should. No story yet. No artwork. Just raw paper engineering.
Isn’t that neat?
White dummy to pink legend
Once the white dummy was tested and approved, it started really coming together. Colors, illustrations, and stories were layered in. Pages came to life with pop-ups, pull tabs, and surprises (just like the real me). What started as blank folds became a three-dimensional tribute to all the wonder inside my walls.
Designed and co-authored by Hillary Carlip (who first met Allee in 1981!), with Trudi Roth as co-author, illustrated by Neal McCullough, engineered by Mike Malkovas, and blessed with a foreword by Charles Phoenix, this book is a room-by-room tribute to me and my beloved creator, Allee Willis. She filled me to the rafters with soul, sparkle, and stories. This book gets me.
If you haven’t already snagged a copy and you're curious to see how it all came together—or just want a piece of me for your coffee table—head to williswonderlandpopupbook.com. Every copy sold supports the good work of the Willis Wonderland Foundation.
Until next time,
Me (Willis Wonderland, the pink legend not the “white dummy”)
Big thanks to the Willis Wonderland Foundation for giving me a voice.
They honor the legacy of Hall of Fame songwriter and creative powerhouse Allee Willis by empowering the next generation of creatives. Be sure to take a look at their Musical Wonders music education program. If you’d like to support what they’re doing, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.
Also, don’t sweat sharing any photos or GIFs I include in my emails. Just credit “Willis Wonderland Foundation.” They’re licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0, which means you can share them, just not use them to sell stuff.
Wow, you made it all the way down here. Appreciate you!