BetterPhoto Basics

Filled with bright, crisp photographs. Viewers first encounter a piece of an image, viewed through a small, die-cut circle on a black page. The full-color object--be it a flower, a pigeon, or a hot pretzel--is revealed with the turn of a page. Another turn of the page provides a larger view--a second photograph showing the more complete scene (a stand full of flowers, a flock of pigeons, a cart of pretzels). It's no secret that Hoban takes brilliant photographs and that her books are enjoyed by a wide variety of ages. This one is sure to be a crowd pleaser.... <br> --School Library Journal, 8/97<p> In the latest in her popular series of peek through the hole books, Hoban presents a dazzling assortment of color photographs that celebrate the rich detail of everyday things. Once again, the reader looks through a circle cut from a stark black page to view a small part of an object on the page beneath. Odd brown loops with white speckles turn out to be large, soft pretzels when the page is turned. Flip the page again, and the pretzels appear in a street vendor's display. With the exception of the pretzels, the photos feature things found mostly in nature--the feathers of a pigeon, the fur of a shaggy dog. Children will have fun guessing the identities of the objects, making the book particularly useful with small groups. But along with the fun, Hoban delivers an educational and enriching visual experience. <br>-- Booklist, 7/97<p> You may have seen this kind of book many times, but not this well done. The test of a book such as this is whether there's pleasure in rereading it. Hoban passes the test because there is so much to see, both in the incomplete and complete images, that thepleasure is not just trickery. Chicago Tribune, 9/14/97