Amazing Optical Illusions. IllusionWorks. Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly Books, 2011. 32 pp., pbk. & hc., $5.95 (pbk.), $16.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55297-962-4 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55297-961-7 (hc.). Subject Heading: Optical illusions-Juvenile literature. Grades 1 and up / Ages 6 and up. Review by Dave Jenkinson. *** /4

excerpt:

When you see something, light enters your eyes. The light is focused on sensitive "screens" at the back of each eyeball. The information focused there is sent to your brain. then it's your brain's job to make sense out of the information it gets.

This is where optical illusions come in. "Optical" has to do with your sight. An "illusion" is a kind of trick. When you look at an optical illusion, some part of the process just doesn't match up. This may happen because of how the eye works. It may also happen because of how the brain works. So you may see things that really aren't there or that just don't make sense!

Amazing Optical Illusions consists of 29 optical illusions, one per page, with each being accompanied by brief text. An introduction suggests how "readers' should approach the book.

To get the most out of this book, read the question at the top of the page. Then look at the picture. Do your best to "figure it out" before looking at the descriptions at the bottom of the page.

     The text that accompanies the image within this review asks, above it: "What is this a picture of?" After looking at the picture, viewers can then read the text below the image:

There are really two pictures here. If you look at the white area, you will see a vase. If you look at the green areas, you will see two faces in profile. At any one time you can only see either the faces or the vase.

     While Amazing Optical Illusions isn't a "must" purchase, its contents will definitely provide readers of all ages with some eye-bending fun.

Recommended.

Dave Jenkinson, CM's editor, lives in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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