A Flip book is a simple "moving picture" toy made as a small bound book with pages or frames with individual photos or pictures to show a series of movement. When the pages are quickly flipped the images will look as if the scene is moving. This visual experience is called "persistence of vision" (each image that your eyes see will actually stay visually a fraction of a second longer than what is actually shown causing that fluid picture motion). Flip books were made in a variety of topics and themes at the turn of the 20th Century.

Please read thoroughly first before downloading: Click on the following numbered icon/picture buttons below at the left of each flip book description to download your very own Optical Toy in .pdf file format (be patient, due to file size it may take several minutes to load). If you experience problems downloading try to “right button mouse click” on the icon/picture to download and save the pdf file to your hard drive or disk to prevent the browser from locking or freezing up. You will need *Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® to download each file. After downloading the flip book page follow the simple instructions to create your flip book and start your way to historic flipping fun!. These happy pages of optical illusion were brought to you by the late Mr. Harry Coyle, a wonderful artist and friend of the Rosson House Museum.

“Motoring through the Ages” Flip Book. Click on the Yellow # 1 button on the left to download and create your very own optical toy. See an ol’ time auto morph into a new flashy sports car right before your eyes. 

Snowman Flip Book. Click on the Blue # 2 button on the left to download your very own optical toy. This flip book creates a snowman who will suddenly appear fully grown complete with winter mittens, scarf and top hat!

Autumn Flip Book. Click on the Yellow # 3 button at the left to download your very own optical toy. As you flip through this optical toy you will see a cornucopia basket magically fill with a bountiful harvest. 

A Santa Sleigh Ride Flip Book. Click on the Blue # 4 button at the left to download your very own holiday flip book. Watch Santa and his reindeer fly across the moon over a sleepy village below. It doesn’t have to be December to still have fun! See for yourself!

All four of these fun flip books are set to print in black and white. Don’t forget you can always color your flip book page frames with colored pencils or crayons for an added effect!

Feel like being extra creative? Try your hand at creating your own flip book from scratch with this blank Flip Book Template. Just click on the Book icon/picture button on the left to download, then print out and follow the instructions on the template. You will again need *Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® to download this file. Start off with something simple like a stick figure waving, a bouncing ball or even a falling snowflake. Email and tell us what you’ve come up with. Perhaps you might allow us to add your creation to the website for others to try?

Stay tuned for more flip books...

* If you do not have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® on your computer- Click Here! to get a free copy of this software from the maker’s website.

This page brought to you by the 1895 Rosson House at Historic Heritage Square in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. For historical trivia, early recipes, 1890s Language of Flowers and more Click Here! to visit our Historical Fun links page.