Pull Pop Push at the State Library
Pull Pop Push explores the art of movable books, from pop-ups and wheels to tunnels, sound books and flaps.
Drawn from the State Library’s collections, including the Children’s Literature Research Collection, these books use carefully engineered paper mechanisms to transform flat pages into lively scenes that unfold before your eyes.
The exhibition brings these ideas to life through scale, perspective and reveal. Visitors can look behind the scenes to discover how moveable books work, step through immersive, larger-than-life recreations of iconic works, and trace the evolution of paper engineering from early scientific tools to much-loved children’s books.
Created for the young, the curious and the young at heart, Pull Pop Push is a playful and visually engaging experience that celebrates imagination, creativity and the wonder of stories brought to life.
WHERE: State Library Gallery, Spence Wing, (Ground floor)
WHEN: From 5 June 2026 to 24 January 2027
TIME:
- Monday: 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday: 9am to 7pm
- Wednesday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 12 to 5pm
- Closed public holidays
COST: Free entry
Pull Pop Play
Step into a world where books burst to life
Inspired but our exhibition Pop Pull Push families are invited to get hands-on with a series of playful programs inspired by the magic of pop‑up art.
Create your own butterfly pop‑up bookmark, craft a charming animal‑themed pop‑up greeting card and then settle into our cosy reading nook to explore a delightful selection of pop‑up books.
Whether you’re snipping, folding, or simply turning the page, there’s something to spark every imagination.