Customer Reviews

Abc-What Job Do You See? (Hidden Treasures, 3)

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REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine

Do you like to search for hidden pictures? Then you need to check out the Hidden Picture Puzzles books by Liz Ball, who is a frequent contributor to Stories for Children Magazine. I can remember doing hidden picture puzzles in various children's magazines when I was small. My wife, children, and I lived in Dayton, Ohio, from 1987 to 2002, and I recall seeing Liz's puzzles regularly in the Dayton Daily News. They have also appeared in over 100 other newspapers, magazines, and publications. Liz recently sent me three of her books, Holiday Hidden Treasures: Hidden Picture Puzzles for Special Celebrations (2000), Hidden Treasures: ABC--What Job Do You See? (2001), and Hidden Treasures: Frog Fun (2008), to review for Stories for Children.

Of course, these are not "reading" books, but they can still provide a lot of fun. Liz has illustrated sixteen books, including twelve hidden picture puzzle books. The others are Hidden Treasures, Merry Christmas, Summer Fun, Friends, Vacation Fun, Miracles and Parables of Jesus, Bible Stories, Old Testament, and New Testament. Each of her Hidden Treasures books has 56 pages with anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 hidden objects to find. In addition, there are sidebar "Margin Critters," which add humorous and educational comments on each page. For instance, while looking for the hidden items in Frog Fun, you'll learn that frogs have smooth skin while toads have bumpy skin and that frogs do not have sweat glands.

Kids may think that puzzles are just enjoyable activities, but teachers and parents can use them to help students improve spatial skills, eye coordination, and concentration. Many doctors recommend them even to older patients to help with memory retention. Since a lot of parents and grandparents also like to do puzzles, they make great family activities to do with children or grandchildren. And they're great for traveling, too. An additional benefit for youngsters who are good with using crayons or colored pencils is that after you've found the hidden objects, the books can be used for coloring books. If you would like more information about the Hidden Picture Puzzles books, you can go to Liz's website.