Customer Reviews

I Spy Christmas: A Book of Picture Riddles

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(3)
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Unless you have a photographic memory, you will find that the challenge of finding the images described in these rhyming riddles to be a fresh one each time you open a page. Pretty soon, the items in the puzzle all look alike. Growing a little weary of looking, you eventually call out for help. And then another person is drawn in. And then another. Pretty soon, you have the equivalent of a marshmallow roast around a campfire going on for all your friends and family.

There are 13 picture puzzles on the themes of ornaments, winter wonderland, window shopping, the holly and the ivy, winter sports, baking cookies, Christmas crafts, Santa's workshop, stocking stuffers, antique teddy bears, nutcracker sweets, under the tree, and Silent Night. As you can tell from the subjects, each puzzle explores a different aspect of the Christmas holiday.

Each photograph for the puzzle is almost two oversized facing pages of brilliant color crammed with details. At the bottom is a brief couplet, telling you what to find. It is in the form of

I spy an A, a B,

The C, a D;

Two Es, a P,

Some Qs, and a Z.

The images range enormously from large, obvious ones (7 pine cones) to subtle, partially hidden ones (the shadow of a star).

A separate photographic set was established for each image, which gives lots of variety of scene and lighting. Most sets were about four feet by eight feet and were photographed with an 8" by 10" view camera. Chicken wire, baking soda for snow, and other disguises are used to make it all seem like Christmas. Each photograph is in stunning color. I especially liked the one with the Christmas ornaments.

The book also contains some extra credit riddles, such as what item is in each photograph. You also get to match riddles with the photographs that the riddles describe.

And best of all are the instructions on how to use the photographs to create your own riddles.

I know it sounds simple, and maybe it is, but I never found it so. I did find it challenging, fun, and social . . . with my adorable daughter. It makes me smile to think of working with her to find the various objects.

After you have finished finding every last key, I suggest that you consider making your own book around a theme of interest to you and your child, godchild, or grandchild. That would be even more fun.

Look and learn to see!

We bought this when my daughter was about 4 years old and it quickly became her favorite book. She had an incredible ability to locate items in the photographs that boggled my mind. And, she never tired of finding those items. She is now 11 and just gave the book up.

I was amazed by the beautiful photographs and the fantastic way the items are hidden in the photgraphs. I had as much fun reading this book with my daughter as she did.

If you want to find the perfect book to bond with a son or daughter over...this is it!!!

I purchased this book for my 6 year old niece and also for my 30 year old daughter! It contains beautiful photos of ornaments, vintage bears, and Christmas scenes. Great fun for any age. A bargain at twice the price.

My son came home from the school library with this book the day before my Mother came for a weekend visit. He paid no attention to the book after arriving home until my Mother picked it up. Within a few minutes he, she, my stepfather and our younger son were totally engrossed in it and spent several hours poring over the pictures. I reminded the boys that they had another I Spy book in their room which they had never paid any attention to. They went flying to get it and all four of them had to be pried away from the book for dinner. My sons and my Mother had never really made a very warm emotional connection until they shared these books. That was several weeks ago and they still talk about it and my Mother is sending me pictures via e-mail of them solving the riddles in the books which I had taken with her camera. These books are a hit with everyone in my house.

I purchased this book for my 4-year-old granddaughter for Christmas. She was not the only one who enjoyed it. Grandparents and parents also loved it. This is a cuddle up with your child for a fun challenge together. I think it is also great for the "senior" citizen for a good brain exercise.

find the time to share this book and play the game with yourchild! the artwork and photography is exceptional. my 6 year old and ihighly recommend it! every page is breathtaking and you'll be "hooked" once you start "spying". items are hidden in the pictures with ryhming hints to help you out!

The I Spy Christmas: A Book of Picture Riddles, is just one of the many I Spy books that our family has repeatedly enjoyed through the years. Almost weekly one of our children will search out an I Spy book to read. While the 'I Spy Christmas' seems to be their all time number one favorite choice, other favorites include the 'Spooky Mansion', 'School Days' and 'Challenger I Spy' books, just to name a few.
After the first child pulls an I Spy book out it always seems that, within a short time, a second child decides to get one and then a third child joins in. Pretty soon all three children and at least one parent are involved with the I Spy books.
You can't go wrong buying these books. They are a hit with all ages.

My son (He's 6) and I enjoy this book very much. It is an adventure everytime we read it. The extra Credits are also very challenging...

This book is as wonderful as all the rest in the series. Fun to look at any time of the year.

I never heard of the I Spy books until my daughter dragged me to a book store. She picked up the xmas book and we sat there for an hour and only got through 3 pages. The pages are so pretty and contents challenging even to me. I loved it.