Customer Reviews

Stories to Solve

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used this book as a summer activity for my kids a number of years ago. One story would be posted on the refrigerator, and left until solved. There was no pressure, and no help. It would just sit there and pique their curiosity. They loved it, and still ask me (10 years later) if there are any more. I'm glad there are sequels now!

I just ordered several of these books to give as birthday gifts for my 9 year old daughter's friends, but I had to read through it before we gave them away. Now I may need to purchase one for our house! The stories were fun, interesting and challenging, but not so difficult that my daughter couldn't figure some out for herself. I agree with the previous review that it makes one "think outside the box" - and is a fun and valuable asset to any library!

This book consists of folktales, very concisely told, that in some sense are a riddle, a puzzle, a play on words ... These stories are presented as problems to solve.

A major strength of the book is the variety of sources of the tales - Tibetan, Aesop, Armenia, India, Grimm brothers, Ethiopian, Japan; in fact many of the stories could have come from any of a number of cultures. The illustrations add to the interest of the book for its intended audience.

The only weakness is that in only one case does it offer alternative answers. For example, in filling a room perfume works as well as light; if children are reading the book independently, they may not have the confidence to recognize that their answer is a clever as the one given in the text.

The stories are fun - parents and children should enjoy this.

This is a wonderful book that combines mathematical reasoning and logic with fascinating folktales from around the world. A book that delights kids as well as adults.

My 8 year old daughter loves this book. On her first read through she said she only solved 1 or 2 of them herself, but she has since enjoyed reading them aloud to my husband and I to see if she can stump us. I've missed at least one, and we haven't read them all yet.
Based on my daughter's experience, I'd recommend this for ages 7 - 12. (or older, as I said, I got stumped too!)

Really a neat book, not only for kids, but for adults, too. Helps to sharpen thinking skills, while learning a little about the folklore of other countries and cultures.