Books : Astonishing Stereoscope

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Rating:

- One of my most favorite books
Stereoscope was given to me as a gift when I was 10 years old (back in 1971). I thought "oh great, a book. :(" It sat unread for a few months, but one bored day I picked it up and couldn't put it down. Over the past 30 years I have read it again and again and come to realize how profoundly this book influenced my thinking about the natural world, religion, and our role as human beings. I kid you not.

This is a delightful book that you really should buy for your favorite 10 year old.

Rating:

- 3rd in the series, but can be read on its own.
I know that because I read it before I read THE DIAMOND IN THE WINDOW or THE SWING IN THE SUMMERHOUSE. I enjoyed reading my library's copy so much that I bought the book the first chance I got.

The stereoscope seems to have been an early version of the Viewmaster. This one is astonishing because it's another magical gift from Prince Krishna. Eddy and his older sister, Eleanor, don't just get to see 3-D views -- they can enter them to have adventures, such as meeting some of their ancestors from Puritan days. Herman the Crazy Cat shows the way.

Eddy and Eleanor need the distraction because they both feel very guilty about the accident to their Uncle Fred's student, John Green. John is in a coma and Uncle Fred has to take out a loan to pay the hospital bills. Mr. Preek the banker and his secretary, Miss Prawn, are so happy. They're sure that they will be able to foreclose on the loan. Then they can finally destroy the Halls' fancy old house that they hate so much. Besides, Miss Prawn wants some of the Halls' antiques to sell.

Will Eleanor and Eddy rescue their cat from being trapped in the stereoscope? Will they be able to prevent a human sacrifice in one of their adventures? Will Prince Krishna's potted palm wander the universe forever? Will John ever come out of his coma? Will the Hall family lose their home?

By the way, the hot air balloon on the cover really is in the book. It's part of a guided tour that's the most astonishing view the stereoscope has.

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