A Whimsical DIY Adventure: Review of Paper Squishy Breakfast by Dalma Rabbit Editions

🍳 Introduction: A Delightful Dive into DIY Creativity

If you’ve ever wanted to bring your love of squishy toys to life with your own hands, Paper Squishy Breakfast: DIY Coloring and Craft Book by Dalma Rabbit Editions is the perfect gateway into a world of adorable, squishable fun. This charming craft book isn’t just about following instructions—it’s an invitation to unleash creativity, experiment with textures, and craft irresistibly cute breakfast-themed squishies.

As someone who adores both crafting and quirky collectibles, I was immediately drawn to this book. But does it live up to its promise of being an engaging, user-friendly DIY guide? After spending hours folding, coloring, and squishing my way through its pages, I’m excited to share my in-depth thoughts.

📖 Plot Summary: What’s Inside This Crafty Treasure?

Unlike traditional books with a narrative, Paper Squishy Breakfast is a hands-on activity book designed to guide readers through creating their own paper-based squishy toys. The book focuses on breakfast-themed designs—think pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, and even a smiling toast with butter!

Each section introduces a new squishy project, complete with:

  • Pre-printed templates for easy cutting and assembly
  • Step-by-step instructions with illustrations
  • Coloring pages for customization before crafting
  • Tips for enhancing squishiness (like adding cotton stuffing or foam layers)

The book doesn’t just stop at assembly—it encourages personalization, allowing crafters to mix and match colors, textures, and even facial expressions to make each squishy uniquely theirs.

✂️ Character Analysis & Development (Yes, Even in a Craft Book!)

While this isn’t a novel with characters in the traditional sense, the personality of each squishy design is undeniable. The breakfast items are anthropomorphized with cute faces—some sleepy-eyed, some grinning—giving them a playful, almost storybook-like charm.

For example:

  • The Pancake Stack has layers that can be squished individually, making it interactive.
  • The Sunny-Side-Up Egg has a wobbly yolk that adds to its squish appeal.
  • The Bacon Strip is bendable, mimicking real bacon’s texture.

These little details make the crafting process feel like you’re not just making toys—you’re giving life to tiny, squishy breakfast friends.

🖍️ Writing Style & Instructional Clarity

Dalma Rabbit Editions keeps the instructions simple, clear, and visually aided, making this book accessible even for younger crafters or beginners. The tone is friendly and encouraging, with phrases like:

“Don’t worry if your first squishy isn’t perfect—each one gets better with practice!”

The steps are broken down into manageable parts, and the illustrations help eliminate confusion. However, very young children (under 6) might need adult supervision due to the cutting and folding involved.

🍞 Thematic Exploration: More Than Just a Craft Book

At its core, Paper Squishy Breakfast is about:

  • Creativity & Playfulness – Encouraging experimentation beyond the given templates.
  • Mindfulness & Relaxation – The repetitive, tactile nature of crafting can be soothing.
  • Nostalgia – For those who grew up with DIY paper crafts, this feels like a modern twist on classic activities.

It’s also a great way to reduce screen time while still engaging in something interactive and fun.

😊 Personal Reading (and Crafting) Experience

I decided to test the book by making the smiling toast squishy, and I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying the process was. The template was easy to trace, and the instructions for adding stuffing (I used cotton balls) made the final product delightfully squishable.

The biggest emotional takeaway? Pure joy. There’s something incredibly rewarding about holding a squishy toy you made yourself. It also sparked ideas for other designs—maybe a sushi squishy series next?

📚 Comparison to Other Craft Books

Compared to other DIY toy books (like DIY Squishies by Sarah Dees or Origami Toys by Paul Jackson), Paper Squishy Breakfast stands out because:
✅ It’s entirely paper-based (no need for specialty foams or expensive materials).
✅ The breakfast theme is cohesive and charming (whereas others may feel random).
✅ It doubles as a coloring book, adding an extra layer of customization.

However, if you’re looking for long-lasting squishies, note that paper versions won’t be as durable as foam or silicone ones.

🌟 Strengths & Minor Weaknesses

✅ Strengths:

  • Adorable, cohesive theme – Breakfast foods are universally loved.
  • Great for beginners – No prior crafting experience needed.
  • Encourages creativity – You can modify designs freely.
  • Affordable materials – Uses basic supplies like paper, glue, and scissors.

❌ Minor Weaknesses:

  • Fragility – Paper squishies won’t last as long as store-bought ones.
  • Limited complexity – Advanced crafters might want more intricate designs.

🎯 Target Audience: Who Will Love This Book?

  • Kids (6+) with adult supervision for cutting.
  • Teens & adults who enjoy relaxing, low-stakes crafts.
  • Teachers & parents looking for group activities.
  • Squishy collectors who want a handmade touch.

🍳 Memorable Quotes & Passages

“Every squishy you make is a little piece of happiness you can hold in your hands.”

This line perfectly captures the book’s spirit—crafting isn’t just about the end product, but the joy of making something yourself.

🌍 Cultural & Historical Context

Squishy toys originated in Japan as stress-relief tools, and their popularity has since exploded worldwide. This book taps into that trend while adding a DIY twist, making it part of the larger maker movement that values handmade, customizable creations.

🔍 Final Verdict: Is Paper Squishy Breakfast Worth It?

Absolutely! Whether you’re a crafting newbie or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, this book offers a fun, accessible, and endlessly customizable experience. It’s perfect for rainy days, creative breaks, or even as a unique gift for crafty friends.

My only advice? Get extra supplies—once you start, you’ll want to make them all!

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon

💬 Discussion Questions for Readers:

  • Have you ever made DIY squishies before? What materials did you use?
  • Which breakfast food would you love to see as a squishy? (I’d love a croissant!)
  • Do you prefer paper crafts or foam-based squishies? Why?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear about your crafting adventures! 🎨✂️

Get this book on Amazon

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