Features
- Reading level: Ages 4-8
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 32 pages
- Published by: Dutton Juvenile
- Edition: 1st Edition July 23, 2001
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0525466754
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0525466758
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Book Dimensions:
10.8 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
- Weighs: 1 pounds
From Publishers Weekly
Garland (An Elf for Christmas) fashions his computer-generated artwork into a visual puzzler leading to a surprise birthday party. After receiving an invitation from his eccentric Aunt Jeanne, Tommy finds successive notes that lead him through her mansion, into a maze in the garden and finally to cake and guests. Readers are invited along for the ride from the start (Aunt Jeanne's letter instructs them to "Take a pencil and paper/ And carefully look./ Make a list of the things/ That you find in this book"). The rhymes may be forced, but the hunt is the main draw. Garland hides several hundred objects in the illustrations, from butterflies, bats, frogs and more in the statuary and shrubbery, to letters that spell out clues. The surreal quality of Garland's digital illustrations works well here, allowing for an abundance of repetitive elements and lush layering of wallpapers, textiles and so on that play up the trompe l'oeil effect. Heightening the game is the fun-loving Aunt Jeanne herself, hiding in each display. An afterword provides a checklist of all the hidden items. Ages 5-11.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-Children who enjoy poring over crowded pictures and cataloging details will have a ball with this new offering from the creator of Dinner at Magritte's (Viking, 2001)-though only the truly indefatigable may be able to stay the course. Directed by a series of rhymed notes from his mysterious Aunt Jeanne, young Tommy undertakes a tour of her palatial house and gardens, passing hints and visual clues that he will have a surprise birthday party at the end. The big, brightly patterned rooms and locales he traverses are positively encrusted with small animals (more than 400, according to the itemized list at the end), plus hidden words, a trio of magical creatures, and often a concealed Aunt Jeanne watching his progress with a smile. Garland doesn't try very hard to camouflage this plethora of birds, butterflies, reptiles, and other creatures, but even young detectors trained on Ruth Brown's If at First You Do Not See (Holt, 1995) or Walter Wick's dazzling photographs for the "I Spy" series (Scholastic) will find keeping a running tally, then matching it to the author's, a tempting challenge.
John Peters, New York Public LibraryCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Reader Reviews
Tommy always liked to check the mail and today he received an envelope just for him, an invitation from his Aunt Jeanne to come over for a special visit. But when he arrives, instead of Aunt Jeanne, he finds a note on the gate telling him to come on up to the house. At the front door he finds another note telling him to enter and as soon as he steps into the hall a third note begins to explain what's going on. You don't need me/To lead you around./Follow my notes/And what's lost will be found. Explore every corner/Of my happy home./There's something of interest/Wherever you roam... A treasure hunt! Let the games begin..... Michael Garland has authored a marvelous interactive book that youngsters will be crazy about. A letter to the reader at the beginning of the book explains just what you need to do as you travel from room to room with Tommy. There are lots of things to find in each amazing bold, busy and vivid illustration...letters that spell out a secret message, special words, three magical creatures and over 400 frogs, butterflies, lizards, snakes, mice bats, fish and birds, as well as Aunt Jeanne who is never far away from the action. Some are in plain sight and easily seen, some are hidden and still others are camouflaged and disguised and take a little work to find. Each charming rhyming note tells you where to go and what to look for and the storyline itself gives helpful hints. You'll need pencil, paper and patience, but this treasure hunt is worth it and ends with a big surprise and a creative answer key to check your work. Perfect for youngsters 9-12, kids 5-8 will enjoy the book just as much but will need a little help to solve the puzzle. Mystery Mansion is a great activity for a rainy day or a long car or plane trip and will keep children busy and engaged for hours.
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