His first movable was Living Pictures (1878), which he originally created for his son Adolf as a Christmas present. He went on to illustrate and engineer as many as two hundred movable books. His books were published in both German and English editions, and were adjusted for the separate markets.

Meggendorfer's movables are some of the most complex mechanisms ever created in the genre. A pull of the tab activates a complex array of multiple levers, which in turn animates several features in each illustration. The images, amazing in their complexity and innovation, are equally appealing for their humor and accompanying verses. 

The Sportsman

The Lady Singer

Meggendorfer, Lothar. Comic Actors: A New Movable Toybook. London: H. Grevel & Co., [1895]. 

Due to the intricacy of his mechanisms, Meggendorfer's books could easily be damaged by eager children. He introduces Comic Actors with this cautionary poem:

Now Children, dear, pray come with me
And see some comic sights,
You all will laugh with mirth and glee,
Or should do so by rights.

When you to them your hand apply
These figures dance and caper
"'Tis really hard" I hear you cry
"To think them only paper."

The men and creatures here you find
Are lively and amusing,
Your fingers must be slow and kind
And treat them well while using.

But more of them we must not tell,
The pictures would be jealous,
So turn the leaves and use them well
And don't be over zealous.