I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles [Hardcover]

Jean Marzollo (Author), Walter Wick (Author), Carol Devine Carson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: I Spy

With 24 million copies sold, the bestselling I Spy series is being relaunched with new designs and foil covers.

This bestselling book features riddles that send readers searching through 13 photographs to find hidden objects.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

I spy... a little baby's footprint, a heart-shaped box, a silver jack, a train track, a comb, a button, a pine cone... and hundreds upon hundreds of other small, interesting objects. Here is the original I Spy picture book, the one that launched the very popular series by rhyme-ster Jean Marzollo and photographer Walter Wick. Each sizeable two-page spread features an assortment of crisply photographed items, along with a rhyming litany that serves as a riddle for readers to solve:

I spy a snake, a three-letter word,
And flying underneath, a great white bird;
Nine gold stars, a blue tube of glitter,
One clay cat, and a six-legged critter.

The beauty of these books, which include I Spy Funhouse and I Spy Gold Challenger, is that when the initial riddle is solved, there are still extra credit riddles in the back, as well as countless other games of varying degrees of difficulty any imaginative parent or child can create. Readers of all ages, distracted by the bright, eye-catching objects, may find the challenge surprisingly difficult, and will delight in finding something new with every reading. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Following in the footsteps of the Waldo books Where's Waldo and presented in the now-familiar but still arresting Eyewitness Books format, this oversize puzzle book presents a wealth of opportunities for education and entertainment. Dozens of brightly colored objects of all shapes and sizes, some conventional and some not, are scattered helter-skelter across 13 spreads. Balls and skittles spill over racquets; flowers, leaves and stones are set out for a nature picnic; a sandy scene depicts fish, shells and zany sunglasses. A rhyming riddle on each page invites children to dive in and hunt down certain objects, and this is merely the beginning. Variations on the search are limitless, as are the possibilities for learning--colors, numbers, shapes. The challenge is surprisingly great. Excellent, sharp photographic work combined with ingenuity and imagination make this well-conceived book a winner. All ages.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590450875
• ISBN-13: 978-0590450874
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 0.5 x 12.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love these books!!! March 24, 2001

By "intentaccess"

Format:Hardcover

I agree totally with the review from the reader saying " this is a MUST have for the home library ". Our home library has every I Spy book. We love these books. I Spy: a Book of Picture Riddles is a great one to start your collection. As my children 10, 8, and 5 started very young with this book. These books encourage your child to think, to learn, and to explore while they do this with fun and enjoyment. I cannot rave about these books enough because each time you open one up you have a new experience. You will enjoy the many hours of entertainment and time spent with your child as well.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a MUST for the home library August 23, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I bought several (Marzollo) I Spy books for my son when he was 3. Now he's almost 5 and they are still his favorite. Now, my daughter, age 2, enjoys them also. The books have large pages, each consisting of a big photograph of intricately laid out objects. The pictures are clever enough to be enjoyable to adults as well as children of almost any age. Probably the greatest thing about these books is that they never get old. My son and I still discover things that we never noticed in 2 years of looking at the pictures. Even once you solve the poetic riddles in the books, you can make up your own challenges. I usually read the book with both children at my side and see if they can find the things that I spy. It is easy to give them age appropriate challenges - I will give my son something hard to find and give my daughter something easier.

All the books are great, though you will see the same pages appear in different books. The computer games are also good.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for All September 9, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

My son, who is 2, pours over this book, pointing out things to me. I am always finding something new in the pictures, myself. It is one of his favorite books to sit by himself and look at while I fix dinner, we all love books like this.