Around the World in 80 Puzzles by Aleksandra Artymowska, 96 pp, RL 3

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Around the World in 80 Puzzles 
by Aleksandra Artymowska
Review Copy from Big Picture Press, 
an imprint of Candlewick Press
Inspired by Jules Verne's classic, Artymowska begins her book in a tree house filled with books, a globe and a yellow balloon, inviting readers who dream of adventure to, "grab onto the balloon and set sail." What follows are eighty magnificently illustrated, patterned puzzles inspired by the various forms of transportation and many locations visited in Around the World in Eighty Days. Readers will travel around the world in (and on) hot air balloons, blimps, old fashioned tricycles, trains, paddle steamers, covered wagons, ships with sails, and my favorite - lighthouses with propellers on top, sailing through the air.
Patterned pages invite readers to find the hidden element, like a paddle in one of the bottles above. Readers are also asked to, "make your way to the empty bottle by climbing up and down the ladders and walking the gangplanks." Occasionally, readers are asked to "reassemble" a puzzle, from chunks of the Eiffel Tower to parts of the Statue of Liberty, but Artymowska is at her best when creating engaging, intricate patterns and challenging, unconventional mazes for readers to wander through. Even if you don't need to check the solutions at the back of the book, be sure to read the author's note - there is one more surprise awaiting you!



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