Sensational Senses

Macnair uses the backdrop of a day at an amusement park to explore the five traditional senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, small), as well as the sense of balance, in an oversize board book that features multiple flaps integrated into the pages. A roller coaster is used to discuss sound waves (“Screaming creates waves of vibrations that travel through the air to our ears”), a spinning teacup ride introduces topics like motion sickness and dizziness, and the fair’s concession stands are a natural lead-in to the senses of smell and taste. Macnair incorporates a wide range of facts into the pages, including tidbits about aging, animals’ senses, optical illusions, and more. While Watson’s generically cartoony illustrations and the board book format feel like an odd match for the target audience and level of scientific detail included, it’s still a successful mix of entertainment and information. Ages 5–7. (May)