A graphic designer created her first children’s pop-up book as part of a lifelong interest in three-dimensional art.

Jasmine Hendrickson, 30, shone a spotlight on the Bermudian Aquarium Museum and Zoo with her new book, Let’s go to the Aquarium – A Pop up Adventure.

Ms Hendrickson was congratulated by David Burt, the Premier, when he and his family met the author at the Flatts attraction last Saturday.

She said: “It is extremely gratifying to see something that feels almost like a piece of my soul being displayed to so many and enjoyed by the public.

“Creating this book has literally been the adventure of my life and an experience I will never forget.”

Mr Burt said: “As a parent I am thrilled to see my children reading and it is even more gratifying when they can learn about Bermuda in this interactive way.”

Ms Hendrickson said she was inspired to set the story in BAMZ because it was “such a historical and cultural part of Bermudian life”.

She said that the the aquarium’s exhibits made it an ideal setting for a pop-up book.

Ms Hendrickson added: “I have always loved pop-up books and always thought of learning more about them and creating my own.”

Ms Hendrickson said that she liked pop-up books because they showed the complexity of arts and crafts.

She said: “The artists and readers then have a way of seeing flat illustrations come to life, with movement and drawings literally popping up off the page.”

Ms Hendrickson added that the practical difficulties of creating the book by hand was a valuable learning experience.

She said: “The thing about paper mechanics is that a mere half of an inch measurement off can make you have to start all over again from scratch.

“Everything is by hand and so precision becomes like second nature to avoid disappointment.”

“I genuinely enjoy the process, despite the challenges, and will continue to create pop-up books for as long as I can.”

Ms Hendrickson studied graphic design at Bermuda College before she transferred to the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island and graduated with a degree in graphics, multimedia and web design.

She said that she hoped to create another pop-up book.

Ms Hendrickson added: “Creating something with just your own two hands and a dream just teaches you that you can accomplish anything.

“All you need is a goal followed by perseverance, determination and love in your heart.”

Let's go to the Aquarium is available at the BAMZ gift shop, as well as the Bermuda College Bookstore in Paget, the Bermuda Book Store on Queen’s Street in Hamilton and Brown and Co. in Hamilton.

All proceeds from copies of the book bought at BAMZ will support educational programmes run by the Bermuda Zoological Society.