For 17 years I taught a course in creativity at American River College in Sacramento and gathered everything I could find that would help students open to new ideas about themselves and the world around them. There is no book that even comes close to achieving what Para Science Pak offers.
The pages literally rise up to meet you becoming
3-D sculptures which tease you into delving more deeply into the mysteries in our midst. It is artistic, playful, informative, stimulating and a valuable contribution which
you have to experience to believe. I was reluctant to spend
$. for something that was wrapped up and sealed, but
I understand why now and it is worth every penny and cheaper to purchase on line than in the store. I agreed to share it with a high school psychology class because it's an excellent introduction an overview of skills many have not developed or had explained to them. The unique approach and appeal is remarkable. It brings the written word to life and invites the reader to translate the left brain information into a right brain experience. I was concerned about parts of the book being fragile. I treat my copy like a work of art and want it to be seen and shared, so I constructed a special carrying case to protect it. It commands a certain respect as you explore the brilliant and creative way it is constructed. Actually I don't know how they can sell it for $. It is above and beyond anything I have seen in this area.

From the moment I picked up the ParaScience Pack, I could tell this was no ordinary coffee table book. Uri Geller has done a wonderful job at explaining the world of the unexplained and the paranormal. The pop-up paper sculptures throughout the book are amazing. And the experiments in the back have kept me busy for several evenings.

Wow:)When I opened this book a brain poped out with a great introduction by Uri Geller. Did you know that gravity is an unexplained scientific phenomenon? Read this book and find out Why. When looking at many of the diagrams you wear glasses that animates the diagrams. Wow! When I turned to the next page a beautiful woman Pops Up. Uri then explains the importance of positive thinking and healing. Take a little journey into the unknown with this amazing Parascience Pop Up book and Kit.

I BOUGHT THIS BOOK BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN AN ART LOVER SINCE I WAS A KID. PART OF THE ENJOYMENT OF ART IS HAVING AN INTERPRETATION TO GO ALONG WITH WHAT YOU ARE SEEING. THIS BOOK WILL EXPLAIN WHY EXPERTS VIEW CERTAIN WORKS OF ART AND PROCLAIM THEM "GREAT". IT TEACHES PRINCIPLES OF ART FROM PAST AND PRESENT PERSPECTIVES IN A UNIQUE, 3-DIMENSIONAL WAY. IT ALSO INCLUDES INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A MOBLILE YOU CAN BUILD AND EVEN CHARACTERS THAT YOU CAN PLACE IN THE PAINTING TO UNDERSTAND CONCEPTS SUCH AS VANISHING POINT AND HORIZON LINE. EVERYONE WHO HAS SEEN MY COPY HAS BECOME ENGROSSED IN IT. EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY LIKED ART!

I am one of the artlessly clueless. This book, and the others in the series, have all been wonderful fun, which is why they are also wonderful learning tools for beginners. Low stress, major payback, and marvelously intelligent all the way through. They won't make you an expert, but you'll have a good time and be better for it, too.

A beautifully designed pop-up book that's a MUST for any collector. Very educational and interactive.

P.S. There is a booklet of references included with many listings. But it is not updated for this version. Brain science has developed a lot just in the past few years.

.................................... It is best to start with the 15 minute casette introduction so that you get an overview of the whole book. Of course the unique feature of this pack and all the others in the series, esp. The Art Pack and the Architecutre Pack, are the ingenious pop-ups and inserts. Many topics are covered in a very interesting, though sketchy manner. You have chapters on the structure of the brain, emotions, the senses, consciousness, gender diffrences, intelligence, language, and memory. Hopefully, once the curiosity is aroused, one will go on to explore each topic in depth elsewhere. The inclusion of an up-to-date and select list of further readings would be helpful. For example, 'brain food' is so skimpy in coverage. To know that there is such a mine of useful knowledge in The Miracle Brain may do some justice to the topic. This is not a book for children to read on their own. Neither is it suitable for public libraries because there is no way to keep all the loose booklets, aids and games intact. But it would be useful for each family to have. Parents can play with their children and explain to them the content using this pack. The past Decade of the Brain has advanced our knowledge immensely in this area. The Brain Pack is an alluring gateway to the most important treasure we all carry within us.

When I picked up this book I was floored as to the detail and the depth with which this book covers the subject. I felt like I had just entered the exhibit room of a world class museum. The book takes you on a tour of the brain the way a museum exhibit would. It has all the best features, including: being interactive; covering the history and developement of the field; and being up to date and accurate. The book is as much fun for the brain expert as well as the brain neophyte. It may be too detailed for children under 12 but with an adult helping I think children down to 7 or 8 can get alot out of this volume.

Brainpack, while not incredibly detailed, is a wonderful introduction to the structure and function of the brain and an enhancer of text material. Provides a great overview, is accurate, visually appealing and offers lots of fun with the activities. Students love it.

I have tried four of the menus so far (each includes an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert) and each one has been *absolutely* delicious, and my dinner guests agreed. The recipes include twists on traditional British dishes such as Welsh rarebit, as well as international cuisine like Chinese roast mushrooms with stir-fry vegetables and noodles. The best part is the way the preparation steps are broken down for you by time -- for example, one day before, 15 minutes before, etc., so all three courses are ready when they need to be. Also handy are the miniature booklets containing the shopping and wine lists, to take with you as you do the marketing.

The caveats I would give about the recipes are: (1) many are not for the strictly cholesterol-conscious, as they are rather free-handed with the butter, cream, and cheese; (2) this is not a quick-cook book, (although there are quite a few recipies for fast snacks); and (3) unless you have some familiarity with British ingredients, you might have some trouble deciphering the ones that pop up every now and again. For example, I still haven't figured out what a "brandy snap basket" is.

The book also contains some cocktail and apertif recipes, and introductory matter on table settings and kitchen equipment.

I'm not a cook, but I do love a good pop-up book and this one is an excellent addition to my collection. Ron van der Meer is one of the best, if not THE best, paper engineers ever. The pop-ups are realistic and greatly enhance the enjoyment of the book, even if you don't read the text. My husband is the cook and he thought the recipes were tasty and fun to make -- though not with the pop-up kitchen gadets. :-) I personally recommend this book solely on it's paper engineering and the fact that Ron van der Meer created it.

I just picked up a copy of Cole's "Truelove" and it reminded me of her Beastly Birthday book which was a favorite read for me and the boys I babysat for. The book has fun pop up and pull out bonus features. For example, in the story the birthday boy- to-be invites everyone and everything he meets to his party ("...I'm sure my mom won't mind."). A rhino is on the guest list. With this page comes a removable "can" of Rhinoderant. "Just spray at charging rhino and rhino will fall about laughing". The cows invited are, of course, singing cows and come with a cow songbook. Cole loves to illustrate with lots of little details and witty ones at that. She puts her special touch on every page. (And hey, kids! This is IN ADDITION to all the little surprises like the two just mentioned. Bonus fun!)
Now remember that I havent read this book in years (the boys are getting older...sigh) but still I remember it fondly. It is so fun to share this book! Get really silly with it and kids will want to hear it over and over whether it's their birthday or unbirthday. Oh, the singing cow opera number ("moo moo bellisimo, vacca carrigio...")! The heavy metal band! (Read this page in your best Ozzy Osbourne Brit accent.) Robbers even! The grand finale pop-up with all the special guests! How could anyone NOT love this? It'd be a great b-day gift for any kid or fun loving grownup you know! I see now that it's out of print, though. :( I'd best buy me a copy for my collection of favorites before they're completely unavailable!

This is a fun workbook and CD-ROM. The focus of both are visual learning and understanding of everyday math concepts. The authors cover adding fraction, estimation, Cartesian coordinates, algebra and trig.
There's little text, so those who are looking for in depth explanations of the concepts will feel like they need more. However, those who'd rather play than read will love the workbook and CD-ROM!

When I saw this "book" at the book store I was so impressed I bought all the copies they had in stock. Perhaps I will give them to my younger nieces and nephews as gifts, perhaps I will hold them out as rewards for my students. One thing is certain, every person who I have shared the "kit" with has been enchanted. I've been having trouble getting it returned.

But don't be misled. There is real math in here, from simple arithmatic to simultaneous equations and calculus. But all of the pop-up style demonstrations are so cleverly structured, that you are fully engaged before you remember to be anxious.

Too much fun!

This "pop-up" book placed alongside with other pop-up game book in book store is indeed a maths learning kit for kids. My little daughter was very much attracted by the pop-up games and activities which are illustracted with colorful pictures. I was astonished by the large amount of teaching aids contained inside the book and the wide coverage of subjects, including counting, adding, subtracting, fraction, time, shape, measurement ....etc. There are also parental advice giving me hints to teach maths to my little daughter in a lively manner and to use the aids in various ways. This is an excellent maths early learning kit.

Contrary to other architecture books that are muddled with academicians' essays, which in turn are filled with architecture terms that amateurs like myself wouldn't possibly understand, this book or pack is informative, playful, and easy to understand. Just say that it's a crash course into architecture rather having you going thru 5 years training in a varsity with working experience. The pack guides you to the fundamentals of architecture like the origin of architecture, when is architecture becoming a distinctive profession as in miedevel time, architect is a stonemason, sculptor all blended into one; the influence of Classicim, unavoidabability of learning about Palladio and Vitruvius; structure and form; new materials & shapes; art & architecture blended as one; the changing city, influenced mostly by our usage of cars; the process, with Richard Meier's Getty Centre as a case study. To top this pack off, there a booklet informing readers of prominent &/or infleuntial architects & architecure terms commonly heard & used respectively(quite concise); timeline stipulating the architecture breakthrough since the beginning of time & where does those famous architects stand in the passage of time; a model of Schroeder house for us to build. The journey through this pack is simply a revelation, surprises everywhere & never failed to bewilder me. I'm adamant that the pop-up buildings is an art in its own rite & what about the enclosed "Mission Impossible" glasses that enable us to see the inner structure and exterior structure of buildings so that we would appreciate architecture more? Before I forget, there's also a cassette narrated by the author. Believe me, you will spend hours and hours immersing yourself in this pack forgetting how time flies when you are enjoying yourself the most. Highly recommended for architecture enthusiasts. A note of caution though, due to the fiddly but fine detailing in this book, readers are urged to handle the pack with utmost care, & it would be wonderful to have a second edition, continuing on where the author has left off in 1997.

The most wonderful book production I've ever seen so far ! Well researched on historical facts.Well summarised topics, considering the complexed scope of architecture that sometimes perplexes people who are involved in its creation and people for whom it is created.Excellently composed illustration. An ingenious way of illustrating the topics. It makes architecture much more fun, interesting and inspiring than the actual practice of it in reality (from an x-architect's point of view). I'm sure it is a good collection for architects who still have keen interest in architecture. The book represents the effort level needed to excel in any creative areas.

I have seen 100's of thousands of books, and this one is near the top of the list. Not only is it one of the best pop up books I have seen, it is very informative and educational. It is a great learning tool for most ages and it's alot of fun too. The price is worth the effort the publishers have put in. It also sub.'s as a great coffee table book as well.