Overview
Simple verses challenge readers to identify the everyday objects used to construct nine three-dimensional Christmas scenes, including a cathedral, Nutcracker ballet, and Santa's workshop.Simple verses challenge readers to identify the everyday objects used to construct nine three-dimensional Christmas scenes, including a cathedral, Nutcracker ballet, and Santa's workshop. Includes an interview with the artist and instructions for making "Look-Alikes" Christmas decorations.
Synopsis
Simple verses challenge readers to identify the everyday objects used to construct nine three-dimensional Christmas scenes, including a cathedral, Nutcracker ballet, and Santa's workshop.
Publishers Weekly
Eagle-eyed readers rejoice! There's more to Christmas than meets the eye in Steiner's latest Look-Alikes collection of astounding 3-D assemblages. Cauliflower florets, coin wrappers, pretzels, buttons, mouse traps and dog biscuits are among the objects that comprise the intricately constructed scenes photographed here. A minimum of 100 objects makes up each of the nine settings (e.g., transporting the audience to a performance of the Nutcracker ballet, Santa's workshop and an ornate cathedral where readers seem to stand before its stained-glass windows), and avid fans will want to seek them all. Instructions for making gift-worthy look-alikes at home, an extensive "answer key" to identify the various items throughout, and a behind-the-scenes q&a with Steiner conclude this eye-popping volume. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Eagle-eyed readers rejoice! There's more to Christmas than meets the eye in Steiner's latest Look-Alikes collection of astounding 3-D assemblages. Cauliflower florets, coin wrappers, pretzels, buttons, mouse traps and dog biscuits are among the objects that comprise the intricately constructed scenes photographed here. A minimum of 100 objects makes up each of the nine settings (e.g., transporting the audience to a performance of the Nutcracker ballet, Santa's workshop and an ornate cathedral where readers seem to stand before its stained-glass windows), and avid fans will want to seek them all. Instructions for making gift-worthy look-alikes at home, an extensive "answer key" to identify the various items throughout, and a behind-the-scenes q&a with Steiner conclude this eye-popping volume. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Three-dimensional artist Joan Steiner has created miniature tableaux that beg to be looked at and talked about during the holidays. For instance, there's grandma in her kitchen baking up a bunch of biscuits on her old woodstove. But wait, the stove is an antique black letterbox on its side, the pots are empty aluminum candle inserts, her apron is a dollar bill and is that the Farmer's Almanac forming the front of the cupboard? Other scenes include a cross-section of a doll house, Santa's workshop, the Nutcracker, and New Year's Eve. There's less to look at here than in Jean Marzallo's "I Spy" series, but the book includes extras the "I Spy" series doesn't, such as three baking ideas to make "look-alikes," an interview and peek behind the scenes at how the author does it, and a list of the items used to make each scene. Somewhat inanely, the author suggests children count the objects used to make the look-alikes, with three rules for counting that is sure to frustrate even as it attempts to clarify. Skip counting and instead, use this book as fun to share, talk about what you notice, try a recipe or two, and collect from the drawers and toy box all of those miniature objects you've picked up as birthday favors, at fast-food restaurants, or have long ago lost the games they belong to, and create your own scene in miniature to enjoy during the holidays. 2003, Megan Tingley Books/Little Brown, Ages 4 to 8.— Susan Hepler, Ph.D.