I Spy Ultimate Challenger: A Book of Picture Riddles (I Spy)

Rating:
Summary: More (and Less) of the Same
Review: While there's nothing particularly wrong with this book, there's nothing groundbreaking, either. The pictures are taken from other books in the series, and while the riddles are new, they aren't any more difficult or involved than usual. Think of this as "ultimate" in the sense of "last in a series" (until the next one comes out), not "highest in degree or order, utmost or extreme" (definitions via WordNet).

In addition to this book, I also have the Spooky Night, Christmas, and Mystery I Spy books. Of the 12 pictures in this collection five come from those books (two each from Spooky Night and Christmas, one from Mystery). Also with only 12 pictures, "Ultimate Challenger" has one fewer picture than the Christmas and Mystery books. And because the pictures come from a variety of sources, there isn't even a "find the common element" usually present at the end of an I Spy book.

To be sure the pictures are creatively staged and the riddles occasionally make good use of word play (trunk: is that elephant, tree or luggage?), and there are the usual bonus riddles at the end of the book. Make sure you have a very good light source over your shoulder or head because the finish on the pages and lighting of some of the pictures can make the objects even harder to find.

If you're new to I Spy or don't have any of the books recycled here (check the Amazon Search Table of Contents for a list of the pictures, the Back Cover has, I believe, a list of the books involved), the "Ultimate Challenger" isn't bad - and it's more disappointing than terrible if you do have some of the books already. Just don't expect anything too incredible (either in terms of quality or quantity), or you'll be let down.