Reviewed by Dr Allan Chapman, Wadham College, Oxford.Dr Matthew McFall is an accomplished illusionist and in this delightful book he takes us into a fascinating realm of illusions, puzzles, paradoxes and curiosities, both in words and pictures. Building upon the idea of the Renaissance 'Cabinet of Curiosities', he progresses in six chapters through a diorama of optical, linguistic, medical and other wonders. But this is a book with a message: always be willing to see the unexpected in the ordinary and never be shy about enquiring that little bit further - and around the next corner! As he tells us in the Prologue, 'Curiosity did not kill the cat, but it did make her smarter.' A feast of learning, wit and lateral thinking. Reviewed by Professor Mike Sharples, Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University.Matthew McFall weaves wonder into every page. Like a Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities, The Little Book of Awe and Wonder offers a stimulating mix of the puzzling, the bizarre and the thought-provoking. The reader is guided on a visual journey through wonder rooms, protean forms, crystalline shapes, visual illusions, labyrinths, riddles and codes, all carefully selected with an eye for the incongruity and beauty of life. Reviewed by Professor Andrew Briggs, St Anne's College, University of Oxford.Matthew McFall has compiled page after page of pictures, proverbs and puzzles to stimulate your imagination in new ways. When Sir John Templeton listed the character virtues that he intended his foundations to promote, he ended with curiosity, humility and awe. The Little Book of Awe and Wonder will pique your curiosity, encourage your humility and arouse your awe at the extraordinary collection of verbal and pictorial observations within its covers. This is an excellent book to keep by your bedside, and would make a marvellous birthday present for intellectually lively nephews and nieces. Reviewed by Peter Randall-Page.This truly is a wonderful little book full of images that inspire and inform my work as an artist. One of the delights for me is to see these familiar images alongside many that are new to me but equally awe inspiring. This book is a visual treat and can be revisited again and again. A great triumph. Reviewed by Peter Clifford, actor and magician.Matthew McFall generously shares his love, enthusiasm and vast knowledge of all things wondrous in this lovely collection. Just dipping in one discovers joys and then, as is the nature of wonders, curiosity is rewarded by an uplifting feeling of astonishment.There are images that show us the world in greater detail than our usual experience allows and illusions showing us that the way we think we perceive the world is not always as we assume it to be. Puzzles, games and paradoxes delight and bemuse. All this leads us to a more mindful exploration and experience of the greatest wonder of all - our own existence. Upliftingly awesome. Truly awe-full! Reviewed by Dr Lizzie Burns, science-based artist.I can't wait to share this with my child - the conversations it will trigger!The Little Book of Awe and Wonder makes learning fun.Reading this makes me happy to be alive.The glimpses I have seen here - I want to keep returning and learn more and more.The Little Book of Awe and Wonder is a testament to how intricate and fascinating our world is.A book to encourage the creative mind - so playful I want to doodle, learn, explore and make a cabinet of curiosities in my bedroom.A book to bring wonder to even the most jaded - it brings out the excited child and allows your mind to wander, explore and find unexpected links.Amazing material for any enthusiast who wants to inspire others.Poetry, philosophy, language, history, art and science in one little book - brought together so effortlessly. Your mind will be buzzing and wanting more!Dr Seuss has grown up and become even more inventive.This book captures Matthew's unique way of looking at the world - absorb his passion and fascination for everything!Beautiful illustrations which bring out patterns, structures and unexpected links between all matter - a must for scientists and artists alike.The Little Book of Awe and Wonder allows you to wonder and explore.A bible to anyone who might have forgotten for a bit just how exciting it is to be alive.Wow - what a treat!A treasure trove - a feast for your inner curiosity and enough to spark wonder in all.This would be my school of the future.Made me glad to be human.What an amazing, curious species we are!The most exciting and fresh book I've seen for years - a real cabinet of curiosities to fit in your pocket.Life will never be dull again. Reviewed by Teach Secondary Magazine, Issue 2.3 April 2013.Since he was given his first conjuring set at the age of four, the author of this intriguing and captivating little tome has spent his life immersed in mystery and magic - most recently at the University of Nottingham, where he is researching for a second doctorate, focusing on how curiosity and wonder can be generated in classrooms and used as tools for learning. Don't expect a dry, academic thesis, though; McFall is far too busy discovering and delighting in the world about him to deliver a lecture. Instead, this is as close to a real Cabinet of Curiosities (every school should have one, he insists) in book form as could be imagined, with puzzles, amazing facts, tricks, riddles, and glimpses of twisting paths that are begging to be explored crammed into the pages to be dipped into as the fancy takes you. Don't just expect the unexpected; demand it, and encourage your students to do the same.Write a review back I read Matthew's book from cover to cover! Couldn't help it, and couldn't stop. I know it's only supposed to be a dip-in-and-out kind of book, but I wanted to keep turning the page to find out what's next. It's packed full of wondrous delights and I'm very much looking forward to sharing some of the riddles, games and puzzles with the young people I work with.Dr. Sai Pathmanathan, Science Education Consultant, Creative resource writing, Educational outreach and events, Science communication projects.
