I’m super excited to share three of my favorite spotting books full of fun, quirky, imagination-catching detail!
Around the World is 80 Puzzles by Aleksandra Artymowska
Around the World in 80 Puzzles
This is an oversized, hardcover book filled with 80 clever, intricate, and beautifully illustrated puzzles, each of which spread over two full pages. The illustrations and associated challenges are each unique, but all require focus and attention to detail. Challenges include things like spotting minor differences, counting, solving mazes, and processing spatial relationships. Each puzzle comes with two challenges, one more difficult than the other. An answer key is included in the back as well as a special note to readers about the book’s inspiration (Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne) and one final challenge. Overall, it’s a visual and intellectual delight that will captivate readers for hours!
Look for the hidden key that will start the locomotive’s engine. Which string needs to be pulled to ring the bell on the front of the train?
There are 5 differences between the temples. Can you spot them all? Follow the lines to see which temple has the most kites attached to it.
Can you spot 2 shoes hanging on the clotheslines? Which weather vane is pointing in the opposite direction from the rest?
Look for Ladybug in Plant City by Katherina Manolessou
Look for Ladybug in Plant City
Daisy is pursuing her lost pet ladybug with the assistance of Plant City’s best detective, Basil. Their search takes them through 10 different locations in Plant City (such as Big Bones Primary School, The Museum, The Cave Concert), each of which is concealing Daisy’s sneaky Ladybug within its varied animal citizenry and dozens of delightful details. Each location also has someone sleeping, someone crying, five gray mice, and five bees. As Daisy and Basil explore the city, they find 3 unique sights in each location; written in capital letters, readers are tasked with finding these as well. A humorous ending to the hunt for Ladybug and answer key close the book. Each illustration is a fun world unto itself so full of detail that I could easily lose track of time pouring over the images even without being tasked to find anything in particular. My kids love exploring the art, and the variety of spotting tasks keep them busy each time we pick it up.
THE TRAIN STATION The Train station was very busy. Everyone was rushing to different parts of town. “I wonder if anyone has seen Ladybug?” said Daisy. But no one had time to help them look. They noticed a TAXI FULL OF OWLS, a CAT SELLING TICKETS, and a RABBIT WAVING FROM A CABLE CAR. “Let’s split up,” said Basil. “We’ll cover more ground that way.”
HEDGE HOSPITAL After the concert, Basil and Daisy walked to Hedge Hospital. Through the windows they saw doctors and nurses caring for the patients. They went to the reception desk and asked, “Has a ladybug come in today?” The receptionist checked the patient list. “We’ve had a SNAKE WITH A BROKEN TAIL, a CHICKEN WITH SPOTS, and a GORILLA WITH A RUNNY NOSE,” she replied. “But there’s no ladybug on my list.”
THE MARKET “Ladybug MUST be here,” said Daisy. “We’ve looked everywhere else!” She and Basil visited every stall, asking the shopkeepers and customers whether they’d seen Ladybug. They spotted a CATERPILLAR MUNCHING A LEAVE, a WORM INSIDE A ROLLER SKATE, and a SPIDER ON A BALLOON. But Ladybug was nowhere to be seen. “I miss my pet,” said Daisy. “I’m sorry we still haven’t found him,” said Basil. They decided to cheer themselves up by trying on some silly hats.
Catch Me: A Seek-And-Find Book by Anders Arhoj
Catch Me: A Seek-And-Find Book by Anders Arhoj
Catch Me: A Seek-and-Find Book
From one direction, this is a book about spotting Big Meow — a sneaky, color-changing cat. From the other, this is a book about spotting Little Woof — an adorable, color-changing dog. In the middle are 10 brightly colored, quirky, and sometimes surreal illustrations concealing both Big Meow and Little Woof within a collection of inventive cats and dogs. Each illustration portrays a unique setting (such as dog salon, ceramic studio, underwater laboratory) that lends itself to imaginative and fantastical scenes full of entertaining detail. Limited palettes and shifting color schemes keep readers on their toes as they try to spot Big Meow and Little Woof by their other characteristics. Overall, it’s a wonderfully fun and challenging spotting book from front to back and then again from back to front!
Read. Learn. Repeat. 