We have been fans of the I Spy books since I first bought some of the board books for my daughter. Amanda is now almost eleven-years-old, but Kyle (now 5) also enjoyed the books, as well as some of the easy readers in the series.

When I volunteered in the elementary school library, I noticed that they could not keep the I Spy Picture Riddle books on the shelves. That’s because the signature bright and busy photos along with simple text are second to none. Kids love finding the items on each page — over and over again.

The I Spy books are perfect for this type of quiet play. And with I Spy A to Z the fun has a purpose — helping younger kids hone their spotting skills while reinforcing their letter sounds.

Easy-to-read riddles by Jean Marzollo are paired with forty-six object-filled photographs by Walter Wick to create I Spy A to Z: A Book of Picture Riddles, the most engaging alphabet book ever! With more than thirty titles and 36 million books in print, the I Spy series continues to win the hearts and minds of parents and kids everywhere. Find out more at www.scholastic.com/ispy.

These puzzles are just difficult enough to keep your three to seven-year-old child busy, yet not get them frustrated. Each page has a letter devoted to it, and the letter in question is highlighted by red ink. One feature that I haven’t seen in other alphabet books is that the letter is used not only in beginning sounds, but also ending sounds. I love this addition! For example:

My five-year-old son is learning to read. He loves to have me (or his big sis) read to him, but there are times when I want him to be able to entertain himself: when we’re in the car, or I’m doing chores or trying to read my own book. A picture of each item that they need to find accompanies the rhyme so that pre-readers can play with the book without assistance. Not only that, they’ll begin to associate the word with the pictures.

This is already in my stash of supplies that I’ve been accumulating in preparation for the very long driving trip we are taking this summer. I Spy A to Z: A Book of Picture Riddles is perfect for a car or plane trip, or for a quiet activity to keep in the car for all those boring errands.

You can win one of four copies (U.S. addresses only). Leave a comment and we’ll announce the winners on July 13.

What’s more — Please click over to 5 Minutes for Giveaways to enter a grand prize package worth $85 which includes two I Spy books (this one and another) as well as the I Spy Wii game and I Spy memory game.

The winners of Dance Me, Daddy are #9 Heather H. , #4 Carrie F., and #21 Ginger Sims.

You should have received an email from me. If not please contact us with your shipping info.

Jennifer Donovan contributes to 5 Minutes for Mom and is 5 Minutes for Books Managing Editor.