Tag Archives: puzzles

Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles: Dynamic Duos by Helene Hovanec (Book Review)

Unleash Your Inner Detective with Word Fun Riddles and Crisscross Puzzles!

Join Puzzle Pooch and puzzle master Helene Hovanec on a journey to solve puzzles and learn new words at the same time! Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles: Dynamic Duos contains 50 puzzles and two books in one:

  • Word fun riddles: Ridiculous riddles full of riddles and jokes. These puzzles are not only fun, but funny, too. Have fun with 25 word fun puzzles from “What do spiders eat with their hamburgers?” and “What would you get if you crossed a ghost and an elephant?” to “When is the ocean friendliest?” Every Word Fun puzzle is based on a ridiculous riddle. You’ll probably laugh [or groan] when you find the answer.

  • Crisscross puzzles: All you need to do is just figure out how to fit all the words listed on the page into the correct spaces in the diagram, based on length and crossing letters. Have fun with 25 crisscross puzzles from “Sew What?” and “Let’s Dance!” to “Exotic Colors” and “Summertime.” Crisscrosses have no clues or numbers. Instead you’ll need to figure out how to fit each word into its own unique space in the diagram.

Find clear instructions on how to complete puzzles, with helpful examples and tips from Puzzle Pooch. You’ll love the puzzles in this book because you can become a WORD DETECTIVE! So grab your pencil and get ready to have a blast!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Get ready to dive into a world of diverse puzzles that will keep you engaged and entertained. From 25-word fun riddles to 25 crisscross puzzles, there’s something for everyone in this book!

 

In the first section of Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles, the author challenges your power of observation by closely examining two words on each line and spotting which letter they do not have in common. For instance, when presented with tirade and tired, you would write down “a.” As gamers jot down the answers in order of descent, the letters will unlock the answers to riddles, like “What has two humps and is found at the North Pole?” or “How did the Vikings contact each other?” I was impressed by the variety of riddles in this first section. I was pleased to see the writer didn’t include ones we’ve heard countless times. Who wants more of the same anyway?! Not me, and I bet you won’t either! I knew a few without looking at the word clues, but I still worked them anyway because I loved solving the mini mysteries to unlock the bigger ones.

If you thought the word fun riddles was easy to solve, things might become more complicated as you enter the world of “Crisscross.” Before the first puzzle (“Supermarkets”), the adorable, oversized glasses-wearing Puzzle Pooch will walk you through how to work the games in Crisscross Puzzles. Players will notice the puzzles resemble crossword puzzles in design, but they are lacking crucial components that we have grown accustomed to: Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles has omitted numbered clues. NO numbers are signaling across or down answers. Instead, this version gives you a word bank, broken down by the number of letters per word, and supplies you with a few letters on the puzzle board to help you on your puzzle journey. “U.S. Cities,” “October 31,” words that contain the letters “ME,” plus 22 more games that will require more thought and time to figure out. If you love a good challenge, this section is for you!

Take Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles with you on a long commute or trip. Solve puzzles on your lunch break. Work the puzzles as you work on your tan. Take it into the bathroom instead of your phone. Solve the riddles and quiz your family; see who can solve the mystery without help.

Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles is an entertaining and educational activity book anyone can work on if they can read and spell. It’s perfect for car rides, waiting rooms, vacations, lunch breaks, and more. So, put down the electronics and sharpen your mind with 50 fun puzzles!

An answer key is included!

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤1/2
(4.5 stars rounded to 5)

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Meet the Author

Helene Hovanec has been hooked on puzzles since she was six years old. She is a former elementary school teacher and is the author of more than 60 puzzle books. Helene is the creator of Dynamic DoubleCross and Plus One puzzles and the producer of Puzzles4Kids for King Features.

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“Save Our Animal Friends” and “Kids Can Change the World” by Benjamin Goldstein (2 Book Spotlight)

The World Patrol Kids give a concert in Kenya, to raise money for the National Game Preserves. The next day on Safari the World Patrol Kids run into trouble with an armed band of poachers who traffic in ivory and endangered species. In addition to the fast-paced adventure story, there are eight pages of puzzles, games, and other activities. The World Patrol Kids comic/activity books feature a multi-ethnic, crime-solving, environmental kids singing and dancing group, (ages 10-14) that takes on polluters, climate change, and traffickers in endangered species.

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Empowering Eco-Adventure for Young Readers!

The World Patrol Kids tackle pollution head-on when medical waste ruins their beach. This suspense-filled action adventure comic , perfect for middle-grade readers, is enhanced with 8 pages of interactive fun.

Packed with facts, puzzles, and games, it’s an engaging journey that encourages positive change. Join the young heroes and embark on an eco-adventure that empowers and educates.

Start your mission to make a difference today!

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Meet the Author

Ben has written, illustrated, produced, and directed books, films, plays, and songs, for Sesame Street, 3-2-1 Contact, Columbia Records, and many others. He has written for such licensed characters as Clifford the Dog, Snuggle the Bear, Rainbow Brite, Sweet Pickles, and more. Ben has an early childhood teacher’s license and has taught grades K-6. He also taught film courses at Western Connecticut State College. His children’s songs have sold millions of copies and his films have appeared at the Museum of Modern Art and on television stations around the world. Other books and plays by Benjamin Goldstein include: The Adventures of the World Patrol Kids, Kids, Kids Can Change the World, Garbage Can Drive You Crazy, Save Our Animal Friends, Looice, Been Dere?, Looice in the Stargarden, Looice Walks for President, Guess Again, Tales of the Baal Shem Tov, The Storyteller, An Evening with Jack and Charmian London, Jack London: The Musical.
 
 
 
 

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Happy Halloween Adventures: A Spooktacular Hardcover Activity Book by Aloha Pickles (Book Spotlight)

Get ready for a bewitching journey into the world of Halloween with the “Happy Halloween Adventures” Hardcover Activity Book! Packed with 85 pages of spine-tingling fun, this interactive activity book is designed to entertain and engage children ages 5 and up, without giving them nightmares.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of Halloween as you embark on a thrilling adventure through its pages. From playful pumpkins to mischievous ghosts, this activity book captures the spirit of the holiday with its delightful and engaging content. Each activity is carefully crafted to ensure a spooky, yet not-too-scary experience for young readers.

Inside, you’ll find an exciting array of puzzles, mazes, coloring pages, and more! Challenge yourself with mind-boggling riddles, navigate through intricate mazes to find hidden treasures, and bring your artistic talents to life by coloring in eerie scenes. With 85 pages of activities, there’s always a new adventure waiting to be discovered!

Perfect for both individual exploration and shared enjoyment, this hardcover activity book is a fantastic companion for Halloween parties, rainy days, or quiet evenings at home. It encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while keeping the Halloween spirit alive and thriving.

With its durable hardcover and high-quality paper, this book is built to withstand hours of fun and can be enjoyed year after year. Whether you’re looking for an engaging gift for a young Halloween enthusiast or an activity book to celebrate the spookiest time of the year, “Halloween Adventure” is sure to captivate the hearts and imaginations of children and parents alike.

Join in the Halloween excitement and unlock a world of not-so-scary thrills and chills with the “Halloween Adventure” Hardcover Activity Book. Let the enchantment begin!

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Sample Pages


Buy the book to discover the answer!

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Meet the Creator!


Pixie Publishing House

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The Topsy-Turvy Bus by Anita Fitch Pazner (Book Review)

Reuse, recycle, renew, and rethink!

Climb aboard the Topsy-Turvy Bus with Maddy and Jake as it travels around the country teaching communities the importance of taking care of the earth and creating a better, cleaner, healthier world.

Based on a real Topsy-Turvy Bus created by Hazon, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America.

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For Teachers & Librarians

Bring Anita into your classroom! View her presentation list.

Download classroom worksheets here:

Worm Maze

Word Search

Word Scramble

Beginner Crossword Puzzle

Intermediate Crossword Puzzle

Topsy Turvy Coloring Page

Picture Matching Game

 

(review request submitted by the publisher for an honest critique) 

 

The Topsy-Turvy Bus is correct: “Our planet is dirty and messy.” Plastic bottles and garbage are littering our waters and our coastlines. The problem isn’t only the trash that plagues our seas. There’s also pollution from cars, fertilizers that taint our soils, and the adverse effects drilling and mining have on our environment. Earth is hurting, but how do we help it?

The children in the story don’t know what to do and discuss the issue when the most unusual bus rolls down the street. “Nobody had ever seen a bus like the Topsy-Turvy Bus. It was upside down and right side up, all at the same time. And it didn’t run on gasoline.” I’ve been behind trucks that smell like french fries from using recycled fast-food restaurants’ frying oil as fuel, but donuts—now, that’s a vehicle I’d love to travel behind or on! 

The Topsy-Turvy Bus will inspire children to think outside the box and be creative in reusing, recycling, or repurposing things around their house and community. Maybe your family or school could make this a project. 

Years ago, as a teacher, our school taught students the importance and value of starting a compost. Each classroom started and maintained one. I encourage you to read “Make Your Own Compost” and consider constructing one for your home or classroom. And as always, please reduce, recycle, and reuse.

Side note: I was shocked to realize the topsy-turvy bus was real. “You can find a Topsy-Turvy Bus in two locations in the United States. The first is in Connecticut, the second in Michigan. Both run on biodiesel fuel consisting of reusable veggie oil. The buses were created to teach kids how to recycle, rethink, reuse, and renew our world’s resources.” If I’m ever in those two states, I plan to hop aboard the unique and environmentally friendly topsy-turvy bus.

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤

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About the Author

Anita earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) and a Master Gardening degree from Michigan State University. She’s created picture-book workshops for kids of all ages, ranging from second graders to high school students. She’s presented lectures for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), VCFA, and The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP). She continues to volunteer her time to several non-profit organizations including Hazon, dedicated to making the world a better, cleaner, kinder place for us all. Anita spends her free time training a rascally dog, named Finn, and playing in the dirt. 

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The Tickling Tale of Smoo by Louiza Kallona (Book Review)

Some strange things arrive suddenly, like frogs that rain down instead of cats and dogs. Other strange things creep up slowly until one day no one can ignore them any longer. This is the story of the McClaffertys, and the mysterious disappearance of laughter.

Lucy McClafferty and her brother Ben are fed up. The weather has been dreich for months, and no one is laughing anymore.

It’s up to Lucy and Ben to uncover the mystery of why the world has stopped laughing so laughter can return to the world again.

Join them on their weird and wonderful adventure as they travel to the top of Scotland, meet fantastical characters, face unexpected challenges, and discover that there is more to some people and places than meets the eye!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

The Tickling Tale of Smoo by Louiza Kallona was a wonderfully weird story filled with excitement and humor. It all began when people seemed to lose their will to smile. Grandma said it must have to do with Smoo, a tickler of the world. 

As Grandma, Lucy, Ben, and Patrick arrived at Gabel Lylhu’s cottage in Durness, the weirdest factor increased tenfold. First, Grandma whistled, and fireflies answered her call. Then, there’s the cottage itself. Its unique decor was definitely on the strange side: bronze fox nailed to the front door, crocodile-tooth light switches, blowfish skeletons, and a clock that bleats. The most unusual discovery was a gargantuan nose on the turquoise, conch-shaped couch. The nose sent snot soaring out of its nostrils. Gross! 

After the visitors woke Gabel Lylhu (aka Belly Laugh), we learned about his connection to Grandma. The revelation surprised me as much as it surprised Lucy and Ben. With a quick rundown on the world’s happenings, Gabel and the kids set to find the Smoo and tickle her. The adventure has readers meeting extraordinary people, witnessing unusual events, and hopping on a spectacularly odd bus (Grand Express) that children will be utterly fascinated by and probably say they’d like to ride. 

The Tickling Tale of Smoo had humor, suspense, unforgettable characters, and a unique plot that required an out-of-the-box-thinking resolution. Oh, it also had puzzles that would delight and thrill those who like solving riddles and anagrams. I want to note that the anagrams are not very easy and might prove difficult for young readers. However, the answers are provided as the author tells the story, and thank goodness for that because they stumped even me. 

Kids will love The Tickling Tale of Smoo. Adults will love it too. It’s a story that the entire family can read and enjoy together! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Louiza Kallona grew up in London but moved to Scotland aged eighteen, attracted by the history, the whopping volcanic rock, and the hope of meeting people as funny as Billy Connolly. She wrote The Tickling Tale of Smoo while living with five other bikers in a farmhouse in the Scottish Borders.

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