Picture Puzzler
By Ksenia Bakhareva
Book Review: Picture Puzzler: A Natural History Hide-and-Seek by Rachel Williams (Author) and Ksenia Bakhareva (Illustrator)
“Picture Puzzler: A Natural History Hide-and-Seek” is a captivating and visually stunning puzzle book that combines the thrill of a search-and-find with engaging natural history education. Illustrated by Ksenia Bakhareva with text by Rachel Williams, this book invites young readers into some of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems.
Key Features and Strengths:
- Engaging Hide-and-Seek Format: The core of the book revolves around 72 “picture riddles” where readers must spot camouflaged animals within large, vibrant illustrations of various habitats. This interactive element makes learning fun and encourages close observation.
- Exploration of Diverse Habitats: The book transports readers to six real-world environments: the Sahara, the Rocky Mountains, European beech forests, the Amazon Basin, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Arctic archipelago Svalbard. Each setting is richly depicted, offering a sense of immersion.
- Focus on Animal Camouflage: A central theme is the incredible phenomenon of animal camouflage. Children learn how different creatures blend into their surroundings for survival, making the search for them both challenging and educational.
- Informative Riddles and Clues: For each hidden animal, a rhyming riddle provides clues. If a child is still stumped, a second set of pages offers additional hints, along with more detailed information about the animals and their specific habitats. This tiered approach supports different learning styles and encourages perseverance.
- Stunning Illustrations by Ksenia Bakhareva: Ksenia Bakhareva’s artwork is a major highlight. Her detailed, often whimsical, and brightly colored illustrations bring each habitat to life. They are not just backgrounds for the puzzles but are integral to the book’s charm and educational value, showcasing the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
- Educational Value: Beyond the fun of finding hidden creatures, the book subtly teaches about biodiversity, ecological relationships, and geographical locations. It fosters curiosity about the natural world and encourages a deeper appreciation for wildlife.
- Interactive and Re-readable: The puzzle format ensures high re-readability, as children (and adults!) will enjoy revisiting the pages to find the animals again or simply admire the intricate artwork. It’s a fantastic book for sharing and cooperative play.
- Suitable for a Broad Age Range: While often recommended for ages 8-12, younger children will enjoy the search-and-find aspect with adult guidance, and older children and adults will appreciate the factual information and the artistic detail.
Overall Impression:
“Picture Puzzler: A Natural History Hide-and-Seek” is an exceptional non-fiction picture book that masterfully combines entertainment with education. Ksenia Bakhareva’s captivating illustrations are the star, drawing readers into each scene, while Rachel Williams’s thoughtful text provides context and engaging challenges. It’s a wonderful addition to any home, classroom, or library for curious minds interested in animals, nature, and a good visual puzzle.
