Topsy Turvy World Hardcover – July 2, 2013

I love the illustrations and the idea that kids have to figure out what's 'off' on each page. It's a good challenge. All the great reviews I read on other sites focused on the art work -- and they were right -- but didn't mention content. I would have rethought buying this for young children, or at all, if I had seen the content.Some content is fine (e.g. a mouse chasing cats, cold water animals in a desert, a child larger than his parents, etc). Some might benefit from a grown-up reading along with the child (e.g. a house dripping with water and fire fighters with fire coming out of the hoses, a menacing looking butterfly chasing a child with a net).However, two pictures were upsetting to a 3 year old and his parents that other potential buyers should be aware of:1.) a depiction of hunting -- the 'flip' is that an animal is aiming a an old fashioned gun at a person.2.) a depiction of begging for money on the streets -- the 'flip' is that a punk is giving money to a banker.I gave this as a gift and shocked parents who do not allow their children to play with guns. My values sniffed at the outdated notion of punk. I view both depictions as anachronisms. Perhaps if the reader is old enough to understand an anachronism, it would open up an interesting discussion.

I find this book amusing as an adult. I would've found it hilarious as a child. Personally, I don't have a problem with my child viewing minuscule, crudely drawn nude people. Nor does the rabbit turned hunter pic disturb me...I mean Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd, Bambi, etc. Illustrations are beautiful and I feel like the book can grow with the child; from finding the mouse to laughing at the silliness of the backward scenes to meaningful discussions.

This book did not disappoint from an artistic perspective. The illustrator, Atak, creates art that is exciting and beautiful. But I don't think the art in this book is appropriate for young children. It depicts scenes that are more likely to cause anxiety and fear for that younger age group.

I didn't realize that there were no words or text on the pages. The only words in this book are on the 1st page and on the back cover. Yes, my grandson and I can talk about what is wrong in the pictures, but he is starting to read and I wanted something for him to read to me. I would have returned this book but the shipping cost made it not worth while.

He's 18 months old and really enjoys looking at the pictures which are fantastically drawn. The page featuring the circus animals making humans do tricks is the funniest to him.

This is a whimsical look at a world upside down. Other than the poem at the front and on the covers, there are no words. It is fun for parents and children to look through together. There is a game ala where's Waldo where one must identify the mouse on the pages. Not hard to do since it is large and stands out early Mickey Mouse style. However this is not for all kids. Some of the images are more Grimm than Alice in Wonderland. There is a page where oversized insects eye little animals hungrily. A little girl being pursued by a giant butterfly looks terrified.There is the corpse of a ram being consumed by little black wolf/dog like creatures. There is a rather psychotic looking rabbit hunting a man. That one was not so disturbing because turning the tables on hunters is nothing new in cartoons. There is an inappropriately adult picture of a young man with a colorful Mohawk tossing a c note to a man in a business suit huddled on a street. I found it fun if your children are sensitive or easily frightened this book might induce nightmares more than giggles.

I should have known, so a word of warning for others - there is basically nothing to read. I was bummed about it. I figured there would be some things for my daughter to be entertained with other than the pictures.There is 1 poem that corresponds loosely to 1 of the drawings. If all the drawings had a corresponding poem, I'd probably rate this 5 stars. As it is, it's just pictures.Some people (who have strong feelings against guns) might find 1 of the pictures disturbing for a little one. My 5.5 year old seemed to enjoy the book just fine, I had to explain to her a little the concept of hunting, but that was about it.Pros:- lots of colors, very colorful book- lots of wrong things per page (usually) so child entertains herself trying to see what all is wrong.- Big, hardcover book- lots of silly thingsNeutral:- find the hidden mouse on each page mini game was way too easy for my 5 year old- One of the drawings clearly shows the age of the person drawing it, and I'd be surprised if a kid figures out half of it. You have a page of characters with wrong heads and bodies, but some of them are pretty much retired. So my daughter might have recognized two or 3 of the 25-30 characters there.Overall, my daughter has fun saying all the things that are wrong in the book, and likes the colors and everything in it.So I am giving it 4 stars. Just a word of warning, it is strictly a picture book - you won't be reading to your children.

Gorgeous book in perfect condition and arrived well before expected delivery date!!Will get a lot of enjoyment out of these pages

Great illustration but could possibly scare kids. Also some smart underlying sarcasm which adults may enjoy more than the kids.