PAINTED CIRCUS

Illustrated in rococo, circus-poster style, the 22 acts presented in this gallery each feature a visual effect or illusion, introduced by florid commentary from mouse ringmaster P.T. Vermin. Though several rely on a similar switching of perspective or a “persistence of vision” ghost created by staring at a shape and then at an empty space, the fair variety of other effects on display include hidden faces in “Pirate Parrots,” an Escher-like “Butterfly Box,” a troupe of intertwined elephants with more bodies than heads and an anamorphic shadow created by “The Enchanted Candle.” Each effect (though not its cause) is described on the last page. Enhanced by a surprise or two in the page corners, this offers plenty of potential for enjoyable browsing. (Picture book. 6-9)