Ages 4^-7. In the sixth book in the I Spy series, colorful, eye-catching compositions are once again the high note. Jointly designed by Marzollo and Wick, the sets for the illustrations are wonderfully imaginative, and Wick's photographs are brilliant and sharp. Valentines, building blocks, puppet theaters, and a wealth of theme-related doodads are combined to make school look very appealing. This is essentially an interactive lap book that lends itself to constructive conversation as adults and children read the clue-filled rhymes and look for objects on the delightfully crowded pages. The book even includes some "extra credit" riddles. A visually stunning book, this is a good choice for a day-care library, the easy nonfiction shelf, or a concept book collection. --Janice Del Negro

A color photograph with a school motif -- including such things as science projects, a puppet theater, and a heavily used chalkboard -- fills each double-page spread, while blandly written verse instructs readers to hunt for numerous objects within each artfully composed photograph. The volume is not quite as overwhelmingly busy as others in the series but remains equally slight. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This addition to the I Spy series of picture-riddles features vibrant full-color photographs of classroom toys and projects that entertain, challenge, and teach. As in Marzollo and Wick's I Spy Christmas (1992), oversized pages are chock-full of delectable details; the theme allows inclusion of a variety of familiar classroom projects from blackboard exercises to dioramas and nature study. The spreads work for readers of various skill levels. They can solve riddles by finding objects; identify letters, numbers, and colors; or work at more sophisticated concepts of comparisons, sets, and classifications. The photographs suggest dozens of enticing activities that will leave readers longing for a quick fix of poster paint and papier-mâché--as if the riddles themselves weren't enough reason to go happily nuts. A can't-miss crowd-pleaser. Yum. Yum. Yum. (Picture book. 3-8)

K-Gr 3‘This riddle book in verse follows the now-familiar format of large, oversized pages chock-full of objects and realia. This time, the double-page spreads are devoted to unifying activities or themes associated with school‘chalkboard, a puppet show, art or science classrooms, a playground, etc. The full-color photographs are sharp, bright, and busy. Some of the items that youngsters are asked to locate are quite small, and the rabbit on the chalkboard has been almost erased and is very faint. Still, this will be a fun addition for children who appreciate riddles and for those who enjoy poring over pictures.‘Susan Chmurynsky, East Kentwood Freshman Campus, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Fans of the elegantly energetic I Spy picture-puzzle series may wonder how Wick could top the lavish sets he created for I Spy Funhouse and I Spy Mystery. Here, however, he and Marzollo surpass their previous achievements-by reversing direction. While they stick to the same formula (under a full-bleed photo of artistically arrayed objects, verse challenges the reader to find various objects), this time they eschew special effects and razzle-dazzle compositions in favor of sunny spreads showcasing, for the most part, common items. Most sets are basic, from a classroom blackboard to a playground floor to a homemade puppet theater. But each apparently simple spread wordlessly and playfully reinforces learning skills. In a spread featuring plastic numerals from one to 12, for example, each number is surrounded by related objects; a building block emblazoned with "X" and a toy clown wagging the splayed fingers on his hands are among the items illustrating the number 10. The puppet theater is hung with cardboard cutouts of figures and props from classic fairy tales. Other sets teach such concepts as sets and patterns, cleverly integrating items seen on previous spreads. By stressing the value of everyday objects, this ingenious volume will encourage readers to look closely at not just the pictures, but at their own surroundings. Ages 3-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved