Magnification: 2a Pop-Up Lift-The-Flap Book

Norden and Ruschak use cutting-edge technology and pop-up, lift-the-flap production techniques to fold a universe of wonders into 10 pages. After a brief explanation of different magnifying devices, the authors introduce the scanning electron microscope (SEM), which can magnify objects to as much as 100,000 times their size. The language will be too difficult for those at the lower end of the suggested range, but no matter--the discussion leads to four spreads with beguiling sequences of photos. Artful arrangements group drawings of an item (say, a record on a turntable) or an actual item (a piece of string, a bit of Velcro) with a photograph of a magnified detail (e.g., record grooves magnified 30 times); most of these photographs appear on flaps, which are then lifted to unveil the detail magnified still further (string magnified 150 times looks like a bundle of straw). Pop-ups include a ladybug eerily enlarged to 620 times its size and a flea checking in at a horrifying 130 times its size. Although SEM yields only black-and-white images, the photos here are enhanced by skillful hand-coloring. Certain to leave readers with a unique appreciation of the world around them. Ages 7-up. (May)