Review by Booklist Review
Ages 4-8. Using riotous color and cheerfully surreal designs, photographer Wick has created a collection of picture riddles filled with hidden objects associated with amusement park fun houses. Clowns, balloons, pinwheels, and puppet stages are only a few of the objects in the pictures, which are accompanied by rhyming clues that point the way toward the hidden objects in each spread. The third in a series by Marzollo and Wick, this has the same high-quality color reproductions as the previous books. While the subject matter alone will make the book a success, a section of "Extra Credit" riddles, a suggestion for writing original picture riddles, and an explanation of how the sets for each photograph were made will help make the book even more popular. ~--Janice Del Negro
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
It's hard to believe that Marzollo and Wick could top their I Spy Christmas , but their latest book of picture riddles is their best yet. Once again, each spread consists of a spectacular color photograph of an even more spectacularly propped 4 8 set, paired with four lines of verse that challenge the reader (``I spy a fish, five clothespins, a rose; / The reflection of an elephant's nose . . .''). Wick's dramatic lighting, his diverse use of shadows and his varied backgrounds set new standards for children's photography books, while Marzollo's seemingly straightforward rhymes are marked by wit and subtlety. The fun-house theme is exploited to grand effect in the scenery choices. Musical instruments and symbols, clown puppets and toys proliferate; and sets incorporating fun-house mirrors, magician's props, dressing room paraphernalia, bandstands and so forth not only create atmosphere but add to the complexity of each puzzle. Bonus for readers beyond the suggested age range: the extra-credit riddles at the end are devilish indeed. Ages 3-8. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K Up-- Another in the popular ``I Spy'' series, this entry features the same high-quality photography, clever design, and rhyming riddles found in the two previous books. Additional challenging riddles are printed at the end of the book. Youngsters are also invited to devise their own riddles, and plenty of unnamed images are available for them to use. The fun-house theme brings glimpses of magicians' paraphernalia, tickets, toys and treats, a puppet stage, and other more or less connected objects and settings. The painted puppets who appear in many of the pictures, the image of the distorting mirrors, and a variety of painted masks may frighten preschoolers, but they are not the intended audience. A challenging, topnotch offering that's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Using a circus motif, each double-page spread contains a striking color photograph and a few lines of bland verse that list various objects the reader can hunt for within the picture. Some children will be entertained by the puzzles; others will be overwhelmed. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Following the success of the first I Spy book (1992), 13 more artfully contrived photos with rhyming ``riddles'' about objects that are not so much hidden as concealed by the bright, distracting diversity of their surroundings. The fun-house theme contributes a rich source of interesting objects and also suggests creative distortions (the appealing papier-mâché clowns reflected in a fun-house mirror; objects distorted in the shiny brass of horns and trumpets), while an elaborate hexagonal pattern of red and yellow stripes with toy animals and other figures, duplicated kaleidoscope-style with mirrors, almost defies analysis. A book that goes beyond the ``Waldo'' formula with its imaginatively conceived, genuinely handsome photos. ``Extra credit riddles,'' a challenge to readers to concoct more of their own, and notes on how the pictures were made are fine bonuses. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
