There is no limit to the art of paper construction in some information books. The Magnificent I Can Read Music Book by Kate Petty and Jenny Maizels (Walker $340) and The Art Of Science, A Pop-up Adventure In Art by Jay Young (Walker $340) are two extraordinary examples. The former book indeed lives up to its name. In just 12 pages it takes children from a basic introduction to rhythm to playing the tune of Frere Jacques, and the scale of G. It comes complete with a keyboard on the inside cover. But it is the fun, easily understandable approach to music and the joy and movement in its three-dimensional pages that is truly magnificent. Rhythm is introduced by animals saying cock-a-doodle-doo, clippety clop and coffee and milk. By pulling tabs, they can dance along too. This really is the ultimate introduction to music. But the extensive content is also an awful lot for children to absorb in just a few pages. A book alone cannot teach children music, but this one is at least a superb supplement to what they learn in school or private music lessons. The Art Of Science is another amazing creation. While Hong Kong goes mad in pinning its future to hi-tech science, this book is a useful reminder of the fascinating relationship between science, technology and art, from the Neolithic to computer age. Young makes her point with interactive games that pop out from the pages: a real camera obscura, an electronic maze, a pop-up wave sculpture and a distorting stereoscope, for instance. The works of traditional and modern artists are illustrated and related to science. The question remains, though, how practical these pricey pop-ups are. Certainly, they must be handled with care as the value of the tabs, pop-ups and tunes will be instantly lost when broken. Information can also be made fun through two-dimensional humour. Tony Robinson, who starred alongside Mr Bean's Rowan Atkinson in the Black Adder television series, is also a children's author and offers plenty of royal comedy, trivia and facts in The Hutchison Book Of Kings And Queens (Hutchison $250). This book is principally illustrated by the master of the humorous picture, Tony Ross, with contributions from a clutch of other favourite artists, including Babette Cole, Shirley Hughes and Susie Jenkin-Pearce. Children who grow up with English books are almost certain to grow up with Ross, the author and illustrator of I Want My Potty,and these other artists. Hughes, the creator of the beloved Alfie and many other warm characters, is instantly recognisable to readers for her depiction of Queen Victoria. Cole's dog, of her Dr Dog, can be spotted in Queen Elizabeth I's court. The one obvious limitation of this book is its limited relevance to Hong Kong. But it should, at least, find its way into school libraries for it does for British history what the pop-ups do for music, science and art: it makes it understandable, interesting and fun.
