Read the last two pages first, otherwise the art just looks weird. The concept is great, because good poetry makes one look afresh, and anamorphic drawing does, too, according to the note. I'm not sure how effective the art is, however. I didn't particularly care for, myself. But if you're trying to 'get' poetry, this might help. And of course Sandburg's poem is accessible and fun in itself. It's too short to quote a bit here - google it if you can't get the book. ( )

This was a lot more interesting after I read the explanation, which is, for some reason, at the end of the book. The illustrations are anamorphic, which means they're distorted to make you look at things differently. You hold the book partially open and look with your eye close to the red arrow. The best page is the one where you hold the mylar sheet (included in the front cover) in a cylindrical shape, or around a soda can, and place it on the page. It looks very cool. ( )

2005 Kerlan Award ( )