I might buy this. I didn't have time (in the library in So. Oregon) to examine the pictures carefully, but I love art appreciation books that encourage us to do so. I also love that I wasn't familiar with all these works already, which is kinda surprising considering how many art popularization books I read. And I like 'spot the differences' puzzles in the first place, so this is a big win for me. The math bit is a little extra, maybe distracting, but maybe good for cross-curricula activities in schools. ( )

[This book was reviewed by Kimberly Weatherston, a volunteer with the Idaho Art Lab.]

I like the concept of this book. I really like the concept of creating a mystery to solve in order to get young people interested in studying famous artworks.

I really wanted to like the book, but in execution it doesn't quite live up to the concept. The setup is very simple and straightforward - here's what you need to do, here's how to do it, here's an example of how to solve one of the puzzles.

I think my biggest problem with the way the book worked was that the 'answers'...are given to you right at the end of the book. There is a sample chart at the end...which shows you all the correct information, everything you need to solve the 'case' without doing any of the work.

There is nothing to stop someone from going to the end of the book, either on purpose or by accident (it would be ever so easy to accidentally turn one page too far and see all the answers displayed for you even if you don't want them), and just be done with it.

The puzzles themselves are not too hard - even just with a brief flip through the book, the 'symbols' were easy to spot. The differences in the pictures a little bit harder, but not much.

However, I cannot see a regular kid having the patience to sit and stare at paintings to find the differences when the answers are laid out so openly in the back for them. Not even in the back of the book, but right there in the regular part of the story.

The writing and presentation seem to be targeted for a younger audience, but the puzzles and subject are more appropriate for older kids, so it has a sort of uneven feel to me.

Like I said, I wanted to really like this book. I love art myself, and wish more people could really appreciate art. However, I think many kids who might sit down to read this would get bored after scouring only a couple of paintings for the 'clues' and just turn to the back and be done with it. ( )