A punch out book is a large toy book printed on stiff card or cardboard usually comprising several pages of perforated, colorfully printed figures or shapes. The figures can be gently "punched" from the pages with the fingers and then assembled into various objects. Punch out books generally do not require scissors, tape, fasteners, or glue for the assembly of the contents. Most punch out books are centered on a single theme like a fairy tale

Fairy tale

A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...

, holiday, television program, or movie. The books first appeared on the market in the 1930s and gained in popularity through the mid-century. Whitman Publishing of Racine, Wisconsin

Racine, Wisconsin

Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...

, was one of the most prolific publishers of punch out books. Vintage punch out books with radio, television or movie themes are sought by collectors and command high prices.