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FOR KIDS: Where’s Waldo? The Complete Collection

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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!

Comments

  1. 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!

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  12. Thanks for the giveaway! My son LOVES Where’s Waldo. We get the books from the library. he would love to own some!

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  14. 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!

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  15. 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?.

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  19. 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!

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  21. 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.

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  24. 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 :)

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  28. 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.

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  30. 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!

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  32. 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!

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  33. 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!

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  39. These books would be great for my nephews. They enjoyed the I spy series, so these would be more advanced (harder) for them.

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  41. 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

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  44. 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!

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  46. WOOOOO FLASHBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I RECALL THESE BACK IN THE DAY REALLY REALLY WOULD LOVE TO WIN THISSSSSSSSSSSSS PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

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  58. 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!!

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  60. 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!!!

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  62. 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 :)

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  63. 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!

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  64. 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?

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  73. 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

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  78. My daughter loves Look and Find books. She’s never owned a Where’s Waldo book, but I know she’d really like it.

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  84. 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.

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  92. 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.

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  95. 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)

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  99. I am so glad they are publishing these fun books again for a new generation to enjoy!

    smchester at gmail dot com

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  101. I grew up loving Waldo, Wilma, Woof and the rest of the “Where’s Waldo?” crew. I would love to win the whole collection.

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  102. too much fun! I have vivid memories of looking through these books with my friends when we were younger. Thank you!

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  112. My kids love going to grandma’s and looking through her well-loved Where’s Waldo book – this would make a really great gift!

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  114. 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!

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  117. Oh man- I loved Where’s Waldo. It was so exhilirating to find him all by myself. I would love this for my kids

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  129. 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

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  130. 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

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  131. 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.

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  132. 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!

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  133. 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.

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  135. 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

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  136. 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.

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  142. 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

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  147. 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

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  148. 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

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  149. 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!

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  150. 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.

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  151. 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!

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  153. 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

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  154. 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.

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  157. 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!

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  159. 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.

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  163. 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!

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  166. 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. :)

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  167. 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!

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  168. 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.

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  169. Ah yes, I remember the Where’s Waldo craze. My kids love I Spy books, I bet they would love Where’s Waldo too.

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  171. 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!

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  172. 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 :)

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  176. 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

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  179. 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!

    Reply

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