If you were a child in the late 80’s and/or anytime throughout the 90’s, then you will undoubtedly remember “Where’s Waldo?” – the bestselling books by Martin Handford, originally published in 1987. Surely you remember…straining your eyes, searching for that skinny, somewhat nerdy man, clad in a red-and-white striped shirt and blue jeans.
If you never were exposed to the Waldo phenomenon, let me introduce you. Essentially, “Where’s Waldo?” is a wordless book series full of “busily” illustrated pictures that show scenes from around the city (the beach, the train station, etc.) and around the world. Waldo is on every page, but I can assure you this activity book is not for the impatient. That little guy is hard to find!!!
Candlewick Press just released Where’s Waldo? The Complete Collection (08/2008, $45), a set that features all six oversize paperback books in a handy slipcover case.
Recommended for children in the 5-12 age range, the books are sure to provide hours of (non-electronic) entertainment for your child/tween. These books are perfect for traveling, waiting (in lines, at doctor’s offices, etc.), and/or just for around the house.
NOTE: This item is WAY too big for a stocking stuffer, but I couldn’t resist posting it here since I’m not publishing a traditional gift guide this year. This series would make a great gift from grandparents, parents, etc.
WIN IT! One winner will receive Where’s Waldo? The Complete Collection (Candlewick Press, 2008, $45). To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Monday, December 15 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY: Link to my site! Anywhere! You can add one of my buttons to your blog, add me to your blogroll, add my site to your Facebook page, you choose…Then, come back here and leave a second comment with a link to where you linked to me.
***For a complete listing of all of the reviews and giveaways in my “Super Stocking Stuffers” series, click here.***
*UPDATE* The winner is #63 Katelyn Schroeder. Congratulations!
i loooove doing to where’s waldo, even though it’s for kids he’s sooo hard to find!
i remember whe did a giant floor puzzle of where’s waldo and i almost died of frustration because i couldn’t find him!
My sons ad the book and now I’d like my granddaughter to have it
lol..my 27 year old son would love this..i think my 40’s hubby too…wheres waldo is a generations comedy…
oldplace.betty(at)gmail.com
I love Waldo. This is a great prize for anyone.
loved these as a kid, mine have never seen one. Shhh, I’m ashamed to say this. Would love to win this.
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY :)
I have your button
This is so fun! Great gift idea
I liked this as a kid, I’m sure my kids would like it now too.
I used to love Waldo books when I was little! My son is just getting to the age where he would enjoy this!
How fun! I have spent many hours with my son looking for Waldo.
Thanks for the giveaway! My son LOVES Where’s Waldo. We get the books from the library. he would love to own some!
I hope “Where is Waldo?” will be under my Christmas tree! Happy Holidays!
These books are sooo fun! My son checks a Waldo book out of the library just about every time we go…it is fun to see who can find him first..it would be fun to own these..thanks!
I haven’t seen Where’s Waldo? in forever! My kids love I Spy type of books and games so I bet they would really enjoy Where’s Waldo?.
I’d love to win.
My daughter and son would love this.
My son would love this.
Oh man, I totally remember Where’s Waldo! I remember spending a lot of time searching for that striped guy! I would love for my kids to experience Waldo too!
WOW my girls would love this they love to search for things in pictures.
I remember Waldo! I loved these books when I was younger, they were so much fun! I’d love this for my niece, although I’d probably enjoy looking through them with her and remembering my own childhood :) Thanks for entering me.
Wow that brings back memories. I would love to pass this on to my children (althouh I could never find Waldo).
My granddaughter would love these books.
Oh my, I LOVE Where’s Waldo when I was growing up and now it is too funny to think that my children love him now. Thanks for a great giveaway :)
I remember trying to find Waldo so I know it would be something my kids would love to do.
I love “Wheres Waldo” The littleones will too!!
LOL…i remember “where’s waldo” :) I thought waldo retired! LOL
My 8-year-old loves Where’s Waldo! but so far we have just borrowed the books from the library. I know he’d love to own these, and it’s time to introduce my five-year-old to Waldo (and Odlaw!) as well.
I loved Where’s Waldo
Sweet! I grew up with Where’s Waldo, so I know just how cool these are. I think I’d like to pass that fun on to my kinder. Everyone needs some Where’s Waldo!
This would be fun to win. I would enjoy these with my kids.
Where’s Waldo are so much fun, and great for car and airplane trips to keep the kids busy! I can’t believe that you’re giving away a complete set…what a wonderful prize!
I’m 26 and I still love to find Waldo :) This is something that my son and I can enjoy together. Enter me too please. Thanks for the giveaway!
My son would love this. He loves Waldo.
I already have your button on my sidebar.
This would be a great present for the whole family!!
I loved these books! I would love to have the collection for my kids!
I grew up finding Waldo. Love these books. I would love to share the magic with my family.
These books would be great for my nephews. They enjoyed the I spy series, so these would be more advanced (harder) for them.
Your button is on my sidebar, thanks
I always loved looking for waldo, so I’m sure that love will get passed on to my daughter-well, at least I hope so! She would have so much fun with this, thanks
i remember loving this in the doctors waiting room as a child.
I loved Waldo as a kid!
txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com
Oh, talk about perfect timing! Just last week, I introduced Where’s Waldo to the two kids I sit for, and of course it was a hit! They liked the books I found for them. They don’t even read yet, but the mere staring at a book will hopefully move them in the right direction. Looking at it again a couple decades later, I’m always fascinated by the Waldo illustrations and how well-concealed Waldo is! Like a chameleon :) Thanks for the entry and happy holidays!
This series would give Aidan and Alexa plenty of hours and fun.
WOOOOO FLASHBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I RECALL THESE BACK IN THE DAY REALLY REALLY WOULD LOVE TO WIN THISSSSSSSSSSSSS PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
My son love the I Spy books and I think he would love the challenge of the Where’s Waldo books. Plus, it is a fun remembrance for me too.
Oh the boys would love this!
I added you to my blogroll.
I love Waldo. He’s so fun and you can top the red stripes!
My son is obsessed w/ the Waldo books. Personally they drive me crazy.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
youngest loves waldo books
fun, fun, fun
I used to love these books – even though I would get soooo frustrated if I couldn’t find him!
I have your button on my blog.
I used to love Where’s Waldo!! I think my sons would really love it as well!
Good old Waldo has gotten me out of a lot of trouble on long car trips….but we only have one Waldo book.
Where’s Waldo was my favorite book when I was young. I always try to buy it when we go to the bookstore but my husband says our 2yr old is too young, I don’t think he understands that I want it!!
I added your button to my contest site:
http://contest-corner.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much! Fingers crossed!
OH WOW!!! Is it sad that I want to win this for myself?! I LOVED Waldo when I was little – and I’ve been actually wanting to track these books down, so I can enjoy a trip down memory lane! I didn’t know they had it as a whole set now! I still find these books a lot of fun to look at, even now. I would be stoked to win this! Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway!!!
I loved Where’s Waldo when I was growing up.
That would be really, really cool to win this! I was so addicted to Where’s Waldo when I was a kid; there always seemed to be at least 1-2 pages in each book that I could never find him but I would keep trying and trying to track him down. I would love to introduce Waldo to my kids, I know they would have just as much fun as I did. I might even be able to finally track him down on those last few pages. Thanks :)
Where has Waldo been?? These books were a staple when I was a child but I have not seen these in years. I would love to intrduce my son to him!
My sister has a few of these books and my girls will sit quietly and look at them for hours. Think it would work at home?
this would make a great gift
Love this, and our library does not have any :(
Waldo is so cool – I’d be thrilled to win this for my kids!
Aww, I remember having Waldo books when I was younger. I would love to give this to my son!
Yep, totally remember Waldo. would love to have for the kids.
You’re on my blogroll here: http://rockinmama.net/blog
I loved Where’s Waldo as a child…LOL! I haven’t heard much about him lately! Here is to his great comeback! If we can find him! he he!
I would love to have this for my daughter!
kelli at pfrog dot net
my children loved Where’s Waldo. I had fun with Where’s Waldo. Glad to see he is making a come back with the next generation
I remember Where’s Waldo when I was a teenager. I’m sure my daughter would love these books.
My kids LOVE the Waldo books!
great to entertain the grandkids.
yes, yes, yes. DJ would LOVE this!
My daughter loves Look and Find books. She’s never owned a Where’s Waldo book, but I know she’d really like it.
I loved Waldo as a kid, this would be fun to share with my son.
Where’s Waldo-my grandson would love this
My son would love this
Oh this would make a great gift for my little one!
I loved Waldo growing up and I don’t think my kids really know who he is, so this would be a great way to introduce him to them.
I loved these book growing up. I used to dress up like Waldo for halloween, but none of my students knew who he was. My daughter would love these.
You’re on my sidebar.
I loved Where’s Waldo as a child. It would be so fun to share them with my little one.
I have your button on my blog.
Those books are so much fun, er so irritating! I’d love to share them with my kids!
Oh dear, does this contest ever bring back memories from when I was younger! Thanks.
Heidi
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com
I can never take my grandkids to the library without bringing home a Where’s Waldo.
I still have a full sheet of Waldo stickers from my friend Jordan from when we were 11 years old … who doesn’t love Waldo?!
It’s no wonder that this giveaway got a huge response: Waldo Rocks! Seriously, my kids would be in “i-spy” nirvana with this set.
My daughter would love this
My daughter would love this!
I haven’t seen Where’s Waldo in forever. I bet my oldest would really enjoy it though. She is a puzzle kind of girl. :o)
Awesome! I love Where’s Waldo. My son is too young for it now, but one day he will enjoy it, I’m sure! Thanks :)
My son loves Waldo, actually he enjoys searching of any kind !!
waldo is the man…pick me
I am so glad they are publishing these fun books again for a new generation to enjoy!
smchester at gmail dot com
I loved Where’s Waldo? when I was kid! I would love to be able to share it with the kids in my life now!
I grew up loving Waldo, Wilma, Woof and the rest of the “Where’s Waldo?” crew. I would love to win the whole collection.
too much fun! I have vivid memories of looking through these books with my friends when we were younger. Thank you!
would make such a wonderful christmas present for my daughter!
I forgot about these books, perfect for my 3 year old who loves to eye spy (ie. hunt for objects in pictures)
I hope my entry is like Waldo and you find it.
My son loves any kind of search and find activity book. I think he would love finding Waldo. Count me in.
where’s waldo is fun for everyone, thanks for the chance to win it!
I love Where’s Waldo. Count me in please.
I love having the Waldo books in my grandchildrens corner. They never grow old
I love Waldo
We love Waldo! :)
My kids love going to grandma’s and looking through her well-loved Where’s Waldo book – this would make a really great gift!
wow, great giveaway
I remember reading the Where’s Waldo books when I was a kid….brings back memories. I have said things recently about Waldo to my daughter and she gives me a funny look and says “Who’s Waldo?” If I win this she would know!
Cool giveaway! Thanks for the entry!
I love Waldo!!
Oh man- I loved Where’s Waldo. It was so exhilirating to find him all by myself. I would love this for my kids
I added your button: http://shellysbookshelf.blogspot.com/
I loved these books!
My husband and I would love to have these books, more for us than for our kids!
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
My kids love any kind of search books. It would be great to share this blast from the past with them!
This would be wonderful to win! I have 3 children and this could be so much fun to look through with them. Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
Wow the complete series? That’s awesome!!
This would be so much fun for my granddaughter!
Our family loves Where’s Waldo!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Neat prize. Wonderful gift for the holidays for my younger son.
These books were favorites of my children and I know that my daycare kids would have so much fun with these.
I’d love to introduce Liz to the Where’s Waldo books.
I’m moving to a new house next week. I’m moving back to my Hometown to be near my Granddaughters. First thing I need to do is to set up a play area in the house. This would be a great first item for the new Playroom. JeansandTs@hotmail.com
this would be so much fun for the kiddos- I remember the search and find from highlights magazines growing up- these came out after I was too old but the kids would love
This would be great for the grandbaby. She loves to do puzzles where you have to find the hidden objects. I remember Finding Waldo with my girl when she was little — haven’t seen him in ages, and thought his time had passed.
I totally remember Waldo! I used to “encourage” the kids I was baby sitting to pull out their books so we could find him together (ok -I was a teenaged nerd). My son would go nuts for this book!
I remember Waldo books! How wonderful that you have these. This would make a great gift for our kids. These were so much fun. Thanks for this giveaway.
Oh I remember the Where’s Waldo books. I used to love those, and I bet my kids would, too.
My five year old would love to spot Waldo in all these books. It would be a fun book to curl up with at bedtime! (And Waldo has some awesome style!)
Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com
Oh my, I LOVE these. When I was little, I remember being on the waiting list at the library, just for a chance to read and search through the newest book. Count me in, I would love to win.
We got this as a birthday gift for someone and my daughter coveted it!
You’re on my blogroll!
J LOVES finding Waldo and she’s only almost 3!! Sometimes she freaks me out b/c she does a better job finding him than me. Thanks for the chance to enter!
Linked ~ http://momcontests.blogspot.com
Fun prize!
I never had a where is waldo book but I was always checking them out of the library and my friends had some of the books. I had a friend dress up as waldo when I was in college
I have you in my blog roll…you are great, Stephanie!
My 10 year old would really love this! He loves searching for things…and things like I spy…
Thanks for another great contest!
You are on my blog roll titled Many, Many, Many blogs on the left hand side.
Daughter is a Waldo fan. She be tickled pink and “striped red” if we won. Thanks for a great book giveaway.
Our kids LOVE I Spy books, and my hubby and I were just discussing how much fun they’d have with Waldo books, too.
Thanks for the chance!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
I didn’t have any Waldo books when I was a kid, I discovered them as a teenager and still loved them! These would be awesome to give to the kid, thanks for the contest! =D
I loved Where’s Waldo as a kid, and I’m sure these fun books would keep my five year old occupied for hours now!
I LOVE WHERE’S WALDO!!! Seriously, what a great series of books, and I miss them. I would love to pass these on to my children.
What a blast from the past! I always loved Where’s Waldo as a kid and had the whole set (what in the world happened to them I have no clue) My five year old LOVES books and his eye doctor just recommended I spy games to sharpen his eye site- the wheres waldo books would make an unbelievable gift!
Oh yeah, love me some Where’s Waldo!! This would make an awesome gift!!
My girls would love these books. They are so great for such a wide range of ages, so I know my 6 & 10 y.o. would enjoy them. Great giveaway – thanks for offering!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
What a fun collection! We definitely enjoyed “Where’s Waldo” when we were growing up, and now my almost-4yr old loves looking at my old copy whenever he’s at his Mimi’s house.
I blogged about the giveaway if that works as an extra!
http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2008/12/linky-love.html
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
I’ve got you linked up now too. (Do I just tell you this once?)
Oh I loved Where’s Waldo. Allison is a bit young but I know in the future she’d love this. We have a first Spanish words book that has a duck on each page and she’s an expert and finding it. She’s even remembered where they all are after a month or so of not reading the book. (Just a little Mama brag!) Or instead of saving it I could be generous and give it to my friends daughters who I know would also love it!
Oh wow! This is awesome. I used to look for Waldo ALL the time growing up. Please enter me!!!
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
i’m so glad they came out with this! i remember getting where’s waldo from the library. my nephew is five and loves looking at our one where’s waldo book. it’s an extra challenge to look for the extra stuff.
Super fun series! Would love to share it with my daughter!!!!
I used to love Where’s Waldo as a kid and I know my son will love it just as much!
I have a link to your blog on mine under “Favorite Mama Sites” :)
I love books like Where’s Waldo, where you have to search for something specific. So much fun! I definitely remember these books from my childhood!
You are on my blogroll.
My youngest sister loves Where’s Waldo books. I’d love to surprise her with this set.
How fun. I haven’t even seen any Waldo books for a long time. I bet Count Dooku would love the challenge of finding Waldo. And you’re on my blogroll. :)
I used to LOVE these books when I was little. My son is just getting into the I Spy books so I suspect he’ll like these just as much.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I never had a Waldo book but I remember buying gift wrap in college that had Waldo on it. I found it so entertaining that you could wrap a present and then find Waldo on it.
My daughter will soon be 2 and we love to read books together; we’re currently reading a lot of Dick and Jane books. I would love to look for Waldo with her– my favorite activities with Ella are the ones we both participate equally in– finding Waldo is just that kind of thing.
Ah yes, I remember the Where’s Waldo craze. My kids love I Spy books, I bet they would love Where’s Waldo too.
I’ve got your button on my blog too, thanks!
I used to love Where’s Waldo, and am always amazed at how many hours of entertainment the pictures and books can provide kids. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway!
I love these books!
I’ve used them before in my Sunday School class as an object lesson – first I let the child (teaching 7 to 10 year olds) look at the book for 1 minute without any distractions and see how many things they can remember from the picture and if they found Waldo, then I repeat the procedure but the second time around the whole class is loud and we do our best to distract them (everything except grabbing the book away…) then at the end of 60 seconds we see how many things they can remember from the 2nd picture and if they were able to find Waldo. It’s amazing how quickly they “get it” that distractions can keep you from accomplishing your purpose, learning and paying attention to what is important! Some of those kids are older now and they still remember the distraction lesson :)
I totally remember these from when I was a kid! I’d love them for my kids and for my classroom. Thanks!
our kids spend a major amount of time looking at these books. Fun to have the collection. MKW
I have your button in my blog roll.
Oh my goodness, we love where is waldo, seriously. We check the books out all the time at the library and my 3 year old son loves to do them. Please enter us to win.
mommainflipflops AT gmail.com
I posted you to my Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1463106950&ref=profile&pub=2915120374
My four-year-old would also love to win this!
Where’s Waldo?? What a blast from the past! My 4-year old would love looking thru these pages for our lovable nerd…and so would I!