Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #177626 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Were this volume the first in the I Spy series (I Spy Funhouse; I Spy Mystery) instead of the fifth, it would astonish the reader with its ingenuity. Once again, rhyming riddles direct a hunt for a series of objects in each of 13 sumptuously styled photographs, and once again Wick goes to extraordinary lengths to achieve just the right look. For example, in creating the set for a photo of an elaborate sand castle under attack by armored knights, he used two tons of sand, compressed it in a frame, then carved out the castle. In another noteworthy spread, titled "Blast Off," kitchen gadgets are arranged to construct a space station complete with launch pad; eerily diffused lighting seals the otherworldly effect. Aside from one truly magical shot (of a spinning Saturn made up of plastic toys) the volume goes no further than its remarkable predecessors-then again, maybe it need not. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 5-Another book of picture riddles from this creative team. Each double-page spread is a rich visual delight consisting of elaborate sets constructed around fantasy themes, e.g., "City Blocks," "Sand Castles," "Into the Woods," "Monster Workshop," and "Sweet Dreams." The clever riddles suggest things to search for in each large, crystal-clear, full-color photograph, although there are many other objects that youngsters will spy on their own. Even more challenging are the riddles at the end of the book that can be matched to the previous photographs. This volume provides hours of fabulous fun for children to enjoy with a friend or on their own. And best of all, there are no right or wrong answers, as the possibilities are only as limited as readers' imaginations.
Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 1-3, younger for reading aloud. As they did in three previous books, I Spy (1992), I Spy Christmas (1992), and I Spy Mystery (1993), Marzollo and Wicks offer an oversize volume featuring incredible photographic collages. Here, fantasy is the theme, so one two-page spread is an assemblage of clouds, angels, white birds, and castles against a sky of heavenly blue; another is a woodland scene with frogs fishing, bears fiddling, and cats jamming, one on the sax, another on the bass, and yet another on the drum. The text challenges readers to find objects in the pictures: "I spy a mailbox, a feather, a flute, / A horseshoe, a beetle, a basket of fruit." One of the first questions readers may ask when they see the book is, "How did they do that?" A two-page addendum explains how Wick creates the elaborate sets for the spreads, with the final riddles written after the photos are taken. There are also suggestions for other activities, such as writing your own stories. A real imagination stretcher that can be used in a variety of ways. Ilene Cooper

Customer Reviews

Fantasy in Every Page!
Unless your memory is photographic, you will find it challenging to find the things described in these rhyming riddles to be a brand new each time you open this. Pretty soon, the items in the puzzle all look alike. Growing a little weary of looking, you eventually call out for help, which makes these a great family time. Funny but the older the person the more frustration they seem to have. My children's grandfather still gets so amazed with these then he gives up and says " its not on there...I looked " then the three year old will spot that same object he was looking for. The I Spy Fantasy has the most unbelievable pictures. There are also extra credit riddles in the back of the book so these books never get old. My family owns each one and these are truly our favorite!

A review of I Spy Fantasy
We have numerous I Spy books, including Fantasy, Mystery, Treasure Hunt, and even Ultimate Challenger. I use these books as a great way to pass time. There are a bunch of great riddles in here, so take a good look inside Amazon's "Search Inside" feature to see if you can solve the first riddle (the city riddle).

However, some of these riddles seem quite difficult. I think the most difficult riddle is the one on pages 14 and 15. The riddle asks you to find 26 eyes as one of the objects. It may be hard to keep track of how many eyes you have and haven't found.

Otherwise, the idea is cute and there are a lot of fantasy themed riddles, including the sand castle, toy planet and candy store riddles, so I will happily give this book 4 stars.

Great!
These are great books for distracting our pediatric patients (and parents!) during procedures/tests.