When you pick up Wow! in your hands, you won't feel anything unusual about its ordinary hard cover, or hear anything special as you flip its smooth glossy pages. You'll see many colorful illustrations perhaps, but nothing truly spectacular. It even has that wood-pulpy, inky odor of your typical picture book. And if you're brave enough, you'll discover the taste is not very appetizing. Left to your senses alone, there is nothing about this book that will wow you in any way, and yet it truly is one of "the most interesting book(s) you'll ever read about the five senses."

Did you know, for example, that a 15-year-old girl has invented talking glasses to help the visually impaired, that your brain is more likely to believe your eyes than your ears, or that dogs can sense when their owner is about to have an epileptic seizure by the smell. Aside from the numerous interesting anecdotes throughout the book, Wow! includes simple, easy to understand diagrams and drawings to help illustrate complex science terms and concepts for children. And even more interesting than that, there are several hands-on experiments that kids can conduct in a matter minutes with simple household items.

Wow! is suitable for any age, though children will be more likely to appreciate the colorful illustrations and the fun activities. There is something interesting on every page and it truly may be one of the most interesting books you'll ever read about the five senses. It can be seen, touched, smelled, heard and tasted (preferably not) in the new books section of our childrens' library under the call number J612.8 Romanek.

Reviewed by Shaun ( )