June 15, 2009
5 Minutes for Books: I Spy A to Z
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.
Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Children's Books, Contests, Entertainment by
Comments on 5 Minutes for Books: I Spy A to Z »
Raelena @ 12:50 am
I remember I Spy books from when I was a kid!
Stasi @ 1:43 am
Oh these are great car ride books, my little brother was a big fan, and I have a neice and nephew who I know would love them!
Janice @ 2:23 am
That sounds GREAT Jennifer! I might have to buy that for our summer driving and flying!
susan @ 3:06 am
These are so much fun!
susan @ 3:08 am
I’m a subscriber.
sandy @ 4:15 am
i haven’t been introduced to these but looks like it is time…i mean, my sisters kids have kids and they have to have tons of books! they have to become a booky as we!
Kristie @ 5:45 am
This looks like it would be great addition to our library!
Melissa @ 7:10 am
My son loves I Spy books and to be honest I love them too. We both have fun looking for items and seeing who can find them first. lol.
Dawn C @ 8:07 am
Great giveaway. my kids LOVE I Spy!
chyk @ 8:16 am
how awesome!
Linda White @ 8:32 am
Great hot summer day busy books!
Kelly W. @ 8:40 am
My little one and his dad love to read together. This would be great for them!
Renee C @ 8:47 am
This would be perfect for my two kids!
Gina @ 8:49 am
My daughter loves I Spy!
Gina @ 8:50 am
I’m a feed subscriber.
MRS.MOMMYY @ 8:54 am
these are so fun
MRS.MOMMYY @ 8:55 am
subscriber
Celeste @ 9:34 am
Fun!
Celeste @ 9:34 am
I’m a feed subscriber.
Michael Capp @ 10:01 am
I’d love to win!
Heather H @ 10:05 am
My kids would love these for our road trips this summer!
Dezi Allen @ 10:11 am
These are my son’s favorite books too!!
Elli @ 10:15 am
what a fun book!
Elli @ 10:16 am
newsletter
TheAngelForever @ 10:18 am
My boys would love this. Thanks for the chance.
Jenn S. @ 10:25 am
My kids love I Spy!
Jingle @ 10:30 am
These books are so much fun! This one looks great!
Kelly @ Love Well @ 10:33 am
My kids love I Spy books. They are the best.
clemens @ 10:43 am
great!
Debbie @ 10:48 am
nice
LadySnow @ 11:01 am
My children Love I Spy. The problem is…we don’t usually have the money to purchase these wonderful books so we have to hope that they get them as gifts and such. Anyway…with a 5 year old, 4 year old, and 2 year old….this would be perfect!
TopazTook @ 11:14 am
My daughter has loved the toddler Look and Finds, but is ready to “graduate” from them. This looks like a great book.
Lisa @ 11:14 am
Oooh, pick me, pick me, please!
julie @ 11:27 am
pick me ..pick me
LT @ 11:29 am
We love playing I Spy at our house, this sounds like a great book to share with my kids. Thanks!
Katrina @ Callapidder Days @ 11:30 am
We love, love, love I Spy. Thanks for the giveaway – please enter me!
Jackie H @ 11:47 am
This would be so perfect for our upcoming roadtrip!
Danetta @ 11:58 am
My son loves the I Spy books. Thanks for the chance.
Jen @ 12:07 pm
I would love this for my kids and for my friends kids to use when they come over.
Thanks!
Jen
sara @ 12:38 pm
This looks like something we could all enjoy!
Angel S. @ 12:51 pm
I Spy books are great! I used to always have one in a bag for my oldest son for all those “waiting” moments.
Pamela S @ 1:10 pm
My son loves I Spy books and hopefully he’d share a few with his cousins even!! Thanks.
Kristi @ 1:15 pm
y sons both love these books and we don;t have any right now.
Kristi @ 1:19 pm
subscriber
Liz @ 1:50 pm
My daughter loves these, so this would be awesome!
Patricia Hill @ 1:50 pm
My family loves the I Spy series.
MJ @ 2:18 pm
I’d love yhis.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Sonya Sparks @ 2:33 pm
I think Gracie would love this. Thanks!
Sonya Sparks @ 2:34 pm
I receive your newsletter. Thanks!
Sonya Sparks @ 2:35 pm
I subscribe to your feed. Thanks!
Sonya Sparks @ 2:38 pm
Your button is on my sidebar. Thanks!
Lisa @ 3:40 pm
Oh that looks wonderful!
Jessica @ 3:55 pm
pick me!!!!!
Jessica @ 3:55 pm
I subscribe
Alison @ 3:58 pm
I think my kids would love this book!
Carol M @ 4:01 pm
My grandchildren would love this book!
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Abby @ 4:33 pm
We are such huge fans of I Spy at our house this would be awesome!!
Tracey Byram @ 4:39 pm
I would enjoy this book as much as Liz and Tristan would.
susan varney @ 5:40 pm
i love to read mverno@roadrunner.com
susan varney @ 7:53 pm
these books look very interesting mverno@roadrunner.com
Stephanie @ 8:20 pm
My son loves the I Spy books- he’s been reading the board book versions and is ready to “graduate” to the full-size books.
Terry Y @ 9:21 pm
My grandkids love I Spy
CGibbs @ 9:21 pm
These books are great! I love looking and playing along with my kids!
daytoncat1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Occupation: Mommy @ 9:40 pm
All three of my kids love I Spy!
maria @ 9:51 pm
These are the first book my kids ask to look at when we go to the library. I love that there is so much to look at on each page.
Dena @ 10:20 pm
We love the I Spy books!
Tammy Gordon @ 10:20 pm
Would love to win this.
Michelle @ 10:29 pm
I would love to win this for my niece and nephew who just LOVE I Spy!
Thanks for the chance to win!
renee @ 10:30 pm
I Spy books are loads of fun–I think I enjoy them as much as my daughter
renee @ 10:32 pm
I’m an email subscriber.
Natalia D. @ 10:37 pm
Nice books!
John D. @ 10:37 pm
I would like to win the books for my children!
Dianna @ Sincerely Me @ 10:44 pm
What a fun prize.
kay wolter @ 10:51 pm
please pick Me these are amazing….Great to have in the home for when Kids are in the car and need something to do for short periods thank you KayMI
Jessica @ 11:40 pm
THanks for the review and giveaway. This book sounds perfect for my 5 year old. She loves the I Spy series.
Mary @ 11:48 pm
This book looks like fun!
Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings @ 11:52 pm
This is perfect for my 3-year old daughter! She’s just now getting into this kind of thing! I would love to win one of these books for her!
Jill W @ 12:08 am
These look so fun-great, long term entertainment possibilities, thanks!
Mary Cottingham @ 12:11 am
My nephew and I LOVE I Spy.
Mozi Esmes Mommy @ 5:56 am
Would love to win this for my girl!
Lisa Foster @ 7:03 am
I would love to win this for my grandson–love I Spy
Julie N @ 8:19 am
My son loves I spy! I’ve searched for every I spy book out there that has the pictures for my pre-reader! I know he would love this!!
Rhonda Martin @ 9:30 am
We love I Spy in this house. We have one of the I Spy Hard Covered books and the binder has fallen apart because we used it so much. We would love to have the New I Spy A to Z edition. Thank You for Sharing this review and giveaway~!
Cynthia C @ 9:55 am
My nephew would enjoy the challenge of I Spy. Thank you!
Laura @ 10:26 am
My daughter loves these I Spy books — I know she’d be very happy to add this one to her bookcase!
Karen B @ 10:33 am
My greatgrandkids would love this.
Karen B @ 10:34 am
Newsletter subscriber
Elena @ 10:42 am
My kids love I Spy! Thanks for the contest!
Elizabeth @ 11:10 am
my niece loves I Spy!
Kelly Ann T. @ 12:38 pm
Please enter me in your giveaway. This would help keep the kids busy when we drive to Grandpa’s house later this summer. Thank you.
Tarah @ 1:52 pm
I use to read these books all the time growing up. I recently found a bunch of them when I was helping my parents move. Our kids love them too!
Mary Casper @ 2:15 pm
This would go to the grandkids
Ellen C. @ 2:49 pm
I love the I Spy books. My son and i could have a blast with these. Thanks for the chance.
Jessica T @ 3:15 pm
This totally brings back memories! Love it!
Krissy B @ 3:48 pm
My 2 year old son is just starting to love to play “I Spy.” I bet he would be entertained for hours with these books! Please enter me in your giveaway!
Suzanne B (Crunchy green Mom) @ 4:10 pm
I would love his “I Spy” books for my toddlers… teach them early right??
Deborah Wellenstein @ 7:04 pm
My grandchildren will love this! Thank you!
Denise B. @ 7:24 pm
It was a beautiful day out today!
Beth @ 7:43 pm
My daughter and I would enjoy this.
sara marcy @ 9:04 pm
i spy books are awsome the grandkids love these!!!
Hannah fortheirfuture @ 9:59 pm
Growing up we loved finding these at the library! I would love to have some for our children now! FUN!
Adele @ 11:16 pm
My grandson loves books and these are just the kind to keep his mind stimulated.
judy brittle @ 11:50 pm
This would be so much fun! I think all my grandchildren would enjoy this! Thank you!
Angie @ 12:33 am
I love I Spy books!
Katharine D @ 11:16 am
My son loves the eye spy books, he sits and reads them on his own!
Barb @ 3:05 pm
My 2.5 year old twins love the I Spy books! This would be great to help them master their ABCs!
SJ @ 4:14 pm
My kids love the I Spy books. Thanks for the giveaway!
Rita @ 4:40 pm
Delightful for our summer travels with grandkids! Thanks for entering my name.
Samantha R @ 5:30 pm
I just went to an exhibit by the maker of the I spy books- it was amazing! I would love to win this for my son!
Samantha R @ 5:31 pm
I subscribe to feeds
beth shepherd @ 8:45 pm
I would love to win
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
Cindy B. in Montana @ 2:06 am
My grandson has loved I Spy books since he was 2. Now he is 6 and likes to play I Spy With My Littlw Eye in the car!
Kimberly @ 7:51 am
I love I Spy! This would be great for my granddaughter both at home and during car trips.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Kimberly @ 7:52 am
I’m an email subscriber!
Kimberly @ 7:52 am
I also subscribe to your feed.
Krista @ 2:59 pm
This would be so fun for my son in another year or so!
Jennifer M @ 6:37 pm
My daughter is a big I Spy fan. We’ve seen a lot of the videos as well as the books.
Jenni @ 8:50 pm
I would love to be able to pass this on to my niece! Sign me up.
Megret @ 9:08 pm
We love I Spy anything! Thanks for the chance.
Megret @ 9:11 pm
I am a subscriber.
Susan C @ 11:11 pm
The I Spy books are so much fun. There is always something new to see!
smchester at gmail dot com
Alice @ 11:38 pm
I love I Spy books. This would be so fun to win.
etirv @ 1:37 pm
A classic, thanks!
sandra @ 3:24 pm
looks like a fun book
Staci A @ 9:43 pm
My son loves I Spy books. He saw the photo here and asked me right away if we could get this book! Thanks for the chance to enter.
bridget3420 @ 11:04 pm
My nephew would love this!
Becky @ 11:48 am
I love to play I SPY with the kids..it’s a great way to keep them occupied.
Denise @ 5:25 pm
My kids really like this, but we don’t have any right now so this would be great.
I Spy A to Z @ 7:37 pm
[...] of my review of this delightful picture riddle book designed especially for the younger reader at 5 Minutes for Mom — and enter to win one of four [...]
Jennifer M @ 11:53 pm
My daughter loves her I Spy DVD.
Kristie @ 9:25 am
I remember playing I spy when I was younger. It was a great way to stay entertained on long road trips! I really think my kiddos would love this!
Toby @ 8:12 pm
Did you say 3 to 7 year old? I guess I won’t tell you my age, but when my grandkids come over, they love to go through the I Spy puzzles – and guess what? So do I! I think your age range has to be adjusted.
Albert @ 8:20 pm
Great prize! My kids love the I Spy books!
Nicole B @ 11:23 pm
My son would absolutely *love* this!
Mama Zen @ 10:01 am
My daughter loves I Spy!
Urailak @ 4:24 pm
My kids love I Spy books! Please count me in. Thanks!
Laureen @ 12:48 am
Super giveaway! My daughters have been huge fans of I Spy since pre-K when their teachers introduced them to it! Thanks!
JDSG @ 8:13 am
“I Spy” is always so much fun to play. My son and I always played it looking for windmills as we headed down the road.
visionquest2020(at)msn(dot)com
Christine W @ 12:54 am
My son loves everything I Spy! Thanks for the chance!
Christine W @ 12:54 am
My son loves everything I Spy! Thanks for the chance!
Amanda @ 3:28 am
Oooh I love I Spy and I’m sure my son would too!
Andria @ 6:54 pm
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
Brandy @ 10:26 pm
My son loves I Spy books. Thanks for the chance to win one for him.
Brandy @ 10:28 pm
Feed subscriber
Brandy @ 10:28 pm
Newsletter subscriber
Jenny @ 12:09 am
My daughter loves I Spy books!
Mia @ 4:06 pm
I just love the I Spy series!
Christy H. @ 8:45 pm
I SPY books are SO much fun! Please enter me to win a copy of this one.
Jennifer C. @ 9:32 pm
I love I Spy books. They are helpful to my daughter too, who has a vision impairment in one eye.
Vicki Wurgler @ 11:58 am
we love I Spy books
Marianna @ 1:50 pm
We love our I Spy books – we have quite a few!
Karen Gonyea @ 2:48 pm
My son loves the I Spy Books.
Kayce C @ 1:20 pm
Count me in.
Sue W @ 3:11 pm
My great grandson loves the I Spy books. I would love to win it for him.
Tonya @ 8:04 pm
my kids just love i spy
ky2here @ 8:15 pm
I played this and now my grandchildren can do the same.
Renee T @ 9:35 pm
We love I SPY! GLTA
Adele @ 10:36 am
I Spy is great fun for the entire family. Thanks for this offer.
Gabriel J. @ 5:42 pm
Please, enter me, great prize!!!
Gabriel J. @ 5:43 pm
I follow you on twitter.
Christal M @ 12:12 pm
I haven’t played this in a long time.
Cari @ 10:10 pm
My daughter and I love ISpy. We don’t have this book though – looks great!
Kathy Scott @ 12:10 am
My son loves to look at I Spy books.
Jeffrey W @ 3:22 am
I want to win please.
Steph @ 11:18 am
My son loves I Spy, so he would really enjoy this book.
Marcia S @ 12:11 pm
Our kids love the I Spy books.
Patricia Wagner @ 12:24 pm
My daughter loves I Spy books.
Jen Nutzhorn @ 5:45 pm
My kids LOVE I spy books. They always look for them at the library- thanks for the giveaway!
artandjen at juno dot com
Chelsea @ 7:40 pm
I love I spy! Me and my kids would have so much fun with this one !
gloria @ 7:49 pm
My family loves I Spy Books and would love this prize!
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
Susan Smith @ 10:34 pm
My kids love these books
Erica G @ 11:05 pm
I would love to win this! It is always good to challenge the mind, young and old.
victoria lynch @ 11:28 pm
My son who is 7 love the I spy books! this would be great for him
Crystal F @ 12:43 am
My daughter loves I Spy so I know she would love this. Thank you!
Crystal F @ 12:44 am
I’m a subscriber!
Hesper F @ 12:48 am
I would love to win this for my daughter!
Erma @ 8:22 am
Mu son would love this.
Kathy D @ 9:04 am
My sisters kids love I Spy
Kathy D @ 9:05 am
Subscribe……
Denise @ 12:36 pm
I Spy books are fun. My youngest daughter would love this!
Ed Nemmers @ 4:52 pm
Happy Summer!
Brooke @ 7:09 pm
I SPY books are so much fun for the kids and us.. We got the Bingo I Spy and love it..
Ellie W @ 7:31 pm
I love I Spy books and I’d love to introduce my grandson to them.
Nicole Gladitz @ 8:43 pm
My nieces would love this book.
DanV @ 9:07 pm
My kids love I Spy
Nancy @ 9:19 pm
I’ve always loved the I Spy books.
Terry C @ 9:35 pm
We love I Spy! This would be great to win. Thanks!
braaisjo at gmail dot com
Aimee @ 10:37 pm
My daughter loves the ISpy books.
Angela Watson @ 10:45 pm
My son would love this. He has just started liking seek & find puzzles.
Jennifer Schroeder @ 11:01 pm
I SPY books sound great. I would love to win one for my boys. Thank you for the great contest!
mike kittle @ 12:14 am
Would love to win this, remember these from a few years ago, I’d go to a now closed bookstore and would stay in the store for hours specifically looking at these.
Pam T @ 1:40 am
My grandaughter can look at books for hours!
this would be great!
Chrysa @ 2:57 am
I Spy is so fun. Thanks for the giveaway!
Elizabeth @ 5:42 am
The whole family loves I Spy!
Jammie @ 6:26 am
I would really love to win this for my daughter great giveaway
Veronica Garrett @ 9:49 am
My granddaughter loves I Spy. She would love this book.
kathy pease @ 10:50 am
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in
Latesha Jackson @ 1:36 pm
My daughter tries to play I Spy, but doesn’t quite understand the game. I try to help her but she always gives too many clues when she’s describing her object. This would definitely help me to help her. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
alison @ 5:00 pm
This would be great for our summer vacations with the kids!
Sarah Stern @ 6:19 pm
I Spy is my son’s favorite game, but we’ve never tried the books.
Lily Kwan @ 6:31 pm
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
amy delong @ 7:59 pm
my kids love this series
Candie L @ 9:28 pm
This would be a great gift for a family friend. He and my son obsess over this series. Thank you
Maja @ 9:29 pm
my son would love it
Maja @ 9:30 pm
subscriber
Cari @ 10:20 pm
My daughter and I love iSpy. We don’t have this book though! Thanks!!
Gianna @ 11:35 pm
Please enter me
Molly Capel @ 12:34 am
My kids love the ISpy books.
5 Minutes for Books: 1000 Times No! @ 12:34 am
[...] winners of I Spy A to Z are #176 Hesper F., #11 Linda White, #165 Steph, #123 [...]