Ready for a challenge? The newest entry in the popular series won't disappoint I Spy enthusiasts. The trademark rhyming riddles lead sharp-eyed readers to objects in crisp photographs. Finding a needle in a haystack is fun among charms, beads, and toys placed in creative, eye-dazzling arrangements. Wick's painstakingly prepared illustrations--bright, elaborate, and wonderfully thematic--strike a great balance between shape and color. Marzollo inspires further creativity in children by encouraging them to write their own riddles. Although geared to the patient, detail-oriented child, this entry is sure to be as popular as its predecessors. (Reviewed October 1, 1997)

With an uninspired rhyming text that asks readers to hunt for objects hidden in the double-page spreads, this book is a collection of 'classic' photographs from previously published I Spy volumes. As with the other titles in the series, this book will appeal to picture-puzzle fans, but there's not a lot of novelty here.

PreS-Gr 4--Wick's spectacularly photographed, double-page spreads are taken from favorites such as I Spy Funhouse (1993) and I Spy School Days (1995, both Scholastic). Marzollo's cleverly written new rhyming couplets encourage readers to seek a new batch of items. Playing cards, beads, dominos, blocks, and other trinkets are all arranged attractively and with wit, yet this does not lessen the difficulty of locating the sought-after objects. Extending the usefulness of what might otherwise be a "once through" book are the "Extra Credit Riddles"--couplets that refer back to the pictures on the earlier pages, but for which no specific page is identified. Just as Marzollo created new riddles for this book, children are invited to create more rhymes and riddles of their own based on the pictures.--Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City