Customer Reviews

I Spy Ultimate Challenger: A Book of Picture Riddles

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While there's nothing particularly wrong with this book, there's nothing groundbreaking, either. The pictures are taken from other books in the series, and while the riddles are new, they aren't any more difficult or involved than usual. Think of this as "ultimate" in the sense of "last in a series" (until the next one comes out), not "highest in degree or order, utmost or extreme" (definitions via WordNet).

In addition to this book, I also have the Spooky Night, Christmas, and Mystery I Spy books. Of the 12 pictures in this collection five come from those books (two each from Spooky Night and Christmas, one from Mystery). Also with only 12 pictures, "Ultimate Challenger" has one fewer picture than the Christmas and Mystery books. And because the pictures come from a variety of sources, there isn't even a "find the common element" usually present at the end of an I Spy book.

To be sure the pictures are creatively staged and the riddles occasionally make good use of word play (trunk: is that elephant, tree or luggage?), and there are the usual bonus riddles at the end of the book. Make sure you have a very good light source over your shoulder or head because the finish on the pages and lighting of some of the pictures can make the objects even harder to find.

If you're new to I Spy or don't have any of the books recycled here (check the Amazon Search Table of Contents for a list of the pictures, the Back Cover has, I believe, a list of the books involved), the "Ultimate Challenger" isn't bad - and it's more disappointing than terrible if you do have some of the books already. Just don't expect anything too incredible (either in terms of quality or quantity), or you'll be let down.

The book is both challenging and interesting to all ages. I also like the size of the book and that it's a hard cover.

I like this I Spy book best of all. Not only does it have some of the best scenes from some of the previous I Spy books, but it also has some cool new riddles. Various scenes include "Rainbow Express" From I Spy Fantasy, "A is for..." From I Spy School Days, and "Baking Cookies" From I Spy Christmas. I read this whenever I feel like I need to pass the time because it is so much fun looking for things.

Overall, 5 Stars. If you can find this book, buy it. It is top-notch fun!

So colorful and well done. Some of the pictures are repeats of other books. But, the challenge is to look for different items. I liked it.

This book is primarily for kids, but I have found it to be lots of fun, too! Will definitely order more!

My son loves the I Spy books, no matter what level they are. These are great books to keep their minds sharp.

Book pretty much came as advertised. Came in good condition. however, has some white smears on a few pages. Service was quick and dependable. would order from them again.

Wow, this book challenges your mind! I've had sooo much fun with this book, I'm anxious to buy more. I thought, "how easy this is going to be to find 6 or 8 things," but it's not. People of all ages will enjoy this book. Leave it on your coffee table and your friends will pick it up and get hooked on it.

My 12 year old autistic grandson loves the I Spy series of books. The older he gets, the more challenges he likes. This is great. He knew what he wanted and told us we were the best grandparents for getting him the Ultimate Challenger. Thanks Amazon.

Dawn Meier

My son loves the entire I Spy series so it came as no real surprise that he was excited to get this book. I like the idea that the puzzles are challenging even to an adult and cannot be solved in mere seconds. They take a certain amount of concentration of the part of the child but not so much that puzzle becomes so difficult that they want to quit.