Currently on exhibit at the Richard J. Riordan Central Library in Los Angeles, “Luceros y Penumbras has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest pop-up book ever created!”
With original art created by Los Angeles artist and printmaker Daniel González, paper engineering by Matthew Reinhart, and full scale engineering and fabrication by Goodnight & Co., this ambitious feat of scale and storytelling constructed in the Rotunda of the Richard J. Riordan Central Library is inspired by the Library’s enduring “light of learning.”
As a centerpiece of the building’s centennial celebration, Luceros y Penumbras unfolds across two giant pop-up spreads that evoke memory, culture, and discovery through rich imagery drawn from González’s personal history, the spirit of Los Angeles, and the history of Central Library.
Be sure to check out this informative video from the LA Public library featuring interviews with the entire creative team (9 minutes):
The Los Angeles Central Library has also published a companion Pop-up book detailing the history of the library – it’s well-worth seeking out!
Los Angeles Central Library POPS: Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning. Christina Rice, Mirelle Ortega, and Matthew Reinhart (paper engineer). 2026.
Edit 8/6/2026: LAPL has posted a great, in-depth article with a history of movable books: City of Pop-Ups: Movable Books in Los Angeles
movablebooks.info 