I wrote I SPY FUN HOUSE because Walter Wick really wanted that title for the third I SPY book. He wanted to make pictures with a Fun House/Circus theme. I was nervous because I know that young children can be afraid of clowns. Walter sent me pictures of the clown puppets that he wanted to use in every picture. (Each I SPY book so far had something the same in every picture.) I sent the clown picture to Carol Devine Carson, who designed the I SPY books. She said that the puppets were beautiful and not scary at all. That made me feel better.

Soon I began to love the Fun House/Circus theme. At one point the pictures seemed a little too quiet to me so I suggested that Walter do something musical. He then borrowed instruments from a high school and set up a fabulous shot. I suggested the words DO RE MI because I like to have words in I SPY pictures whenever possible.

My favorite picture is called "Mirror Maze." Walter painted a triangular floor with red and yellow stripes. He stood three mirrors (two with doors cut in them) around the triangle. He added toys and then took a picture of what you see in the mirror that doesn't have a doorway. Sound confusing? It is, unless you have a mind like Walter Wick. It's important for people to understand that his art is done in two phases: 1) build a great set, and 2) take a great photo of it.

American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Publishers Weekly Bestsellers List
Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 1993

“It's hard to believe that Marzollo and Wick could top their I SPY CHRISTMAS, but their latest book of picture riddles is their best yet … Bonus for readers beyond the suggested age range: the extra-credit riddles at the end are devilish indeed.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“A challenging, topnotch offering that's more fun than a barrel of monkeys.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL