I Spy Fun House: A Book of Picture Riddles [Hardcover]

Jean Marzollo (Author), Walter Wick (Photographer) (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: I Spy

With 24 million copies sold, the bestselling I Spy series is being relaunched with new designs and foil covers.

This bestselling book features riddles that send readers searching through 13 photographs with a fun house theme.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

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
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590462938
• ISBN-13: 978-0590462938
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Freaky-looking clowns, yikes, October 4, 2005

By 

K. - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Spy Fun House: A Book of Picture Riddles (Hardcover)

I just had to say that when I read the other review that said the clowns in here were too scary looking, I chuckled-- until I took a look at the book myself and saw them! Today I was in B&N and saw this book, and I must say those freaky clowns on each page ruin this book. I love these I Spy books, but although I don't get scared by clowns, I do wish they chose a set of cute little clowns instead. Try the Spooky House I Spy book-- so cute and fun!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars more difficult than the others, September 14, 2009

By 

Carrie (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Spy: Fun House A Book Of Picture Riddles (Hardcover)

As the other reviewers indicated, there are some creepy clowns on each page. The bunny is a bit freaky, at times, as well.
This is a more challenging book than some others in the series. More than difficulty in finding the objects, some clues are a bit obscure for children (and adults). For instance, the "owlish eyes" aren't on an owl!

12 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Fun in your House, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I Spy Fun House: A Book of Picture Riddles (Hardcover)

This is a funhouse book, It is worth a second look. Read it and you'll see, It does splendidly.

Kids love it, Moms love it, Neither throw a fit, And gladly they will sit, To read this book a bit.

The pictures are great! Can YOU find its mate?