This post is part of an ongoing series featuring items from the newly acquired Santo Domingo collection.
One very unique book by celebrated German-American artist Peter Max, Paper Airplane Book, showcases both his artistic talent as well as his playful attitude towards his work. Entirely consisting of templates for paper planes, each sporting bright colors and happy phrases, Paper Airplane Book is an exceptional take on a typical child’s toy.
An avid environmentalist, many of the slogans on his paper airplanes remind people not to litter and to take care of the earth. 
Other optimistic phrases include “I can’t talk, cause I’m laughing” and “today is your day”. Max also promotes the creativity of the reader by giving them several uncolored templates to “Go wild with colors and way-out with slogans. Do your own thing!”
Peter Max, a graphic artist still active today, was inspired by the psychedelic colors of the 1960s and 1970s. Max’s work has found great commercial appeal; he has designed campaigns from everything from the World Cup and Super bowl to graphics to adorn commercial airplanes. Max’s art has the aesthetics of pop art and commercial illustration, and his subjects vary widely. Several more Peter Max books can be found in the Fine Arts Library Collection as well as Widener Library. Some titles are: Peter Max superposter book, The Peter Max land of red and The universe of Peter Max.
Paper airplane book / Peter Max. New York : Pyramid Books, 1971,is in the Fine Arts Collection.
Thanks to Emma Clement, Santo Domingo Library Assistant, for contributing this post.