Jean Marzollo (1942–2018)

The ghost page lowkey sucks but every single other inch of this book is a haunted delight! I love that it’s a bit like the Treasure Hunt I Spy in that it leads the reader slowly through a journey, and ending with the dollhouse in the kids room is such a cozy end to it all. This is one of the most atmospheric books in the series for sure.

Atmospheric and fun! This feels a bit like an homage to all things spooky, but in a cute and safe way. In this series of linked images that almost tell a story (but not quite), kids can follow a goofy toy skeleton as it enters, explores, and leaves a mysterious (haunted?) house. The sets are richly detailed, and can certainly appeal to kids’ imagination. Moreover, there are many objects that appear in several pictures, not only giving kids a hint as to what to look for, but also helping show more them get a sense of the scale of each image. The sets vary drastically in terms of size, so it might be fun to compare. Bonus challenges at the end heightened the fun. I have only one criticism: I couldn’t always be sure what I was seeing. Sometimes, even looking at an object, it was difficult to know what it was, and sometimes the pictures themselves were so dark that I couldn’t really tell. Other than that, it was an excellent experience that both young and old can enjoy. show less

As with most I Spy books, the pictures here are the star of the show. Thirteen gorgeous full-color spreads, each on a different Christmas theme, help set the festive tone. This collection of photos is special, too, because of the extensive collection of vintage items featured in this book. Marzollo and Wick had access to what they called “extraordinary collections” of antique teddy bears, antique ornaments, and handcrafted decorations, all of which add an old-timey flavor that enhances show more the book. As for the puzzles themselves, some of the items are easy to find, while others are more challenging, so this book can be enjoyed by children of different ages who want to engage with the book at different levels. The back matter contains additional challenges, as well as information about the process of making each picture. This is sure to be a favorite for children and adults alike. show less

I’m not above admitting that some of the spreads in here are genuinely really difficult…trying to find that freakin’ dolphin was making me think Walter Wick was gaslighting me lol