Animated books, in their architectural three-dimensional structure, question the depth of the page and its movement. Just as the codex marked a particular moment in the development of books, changes in the non-linear perception of time have given the book more freedom to experiment with format. Based on a historical perspective, from the first astronomical books with volvelles to cut-out scenes in Dean & Son’s pop-up books, including e-books, this paper studies the value of interactivity as a new form of visual experience that directly impacts perception and cognition.