Summer break has begun. Are you looking for some age appropriate activities to keep your kids entertained in learning mode without being glued to a screen? How about word games like riddles and puzzles? Check out Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles, first in the Dynamic Duos series by prolific author and passionate puzzle expert Helene Hovanec. Enter to win a physical copy along with one of the Puzzle Pooch prize packs!
My Review:
Created specifically for elementary students, Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles is an enjoyable and educational activity book that helps young learners discover the fun of wordplay and develop practical problem-solving skills.
Just as its title suggests, the book consists of two parts: one for riddles and the other for puzzles. The Puzzle Pooch, a cute big-eyed dachshund in glasses, explains the rules for each type of word game, shares puzzle-solving tips, and reveals the answers toward the end.
The Word Fun Riddles resembles a hybrid of Spot the Difference (between words) and funny brain teasers. The player needs to be patient and observant in order to detect the differences with accuracy. The hilarious and often unexpected answers to the riddles serve as a reward that not only makes one laugh out loud but also inspires one to think outside the box.
By comparison, the Crisscross Puzzles, a seemingly easier version of crosswords, demand more brain power and skills to solve. Luckily, all puzzles in this book are designed to be challenging at a manageable level. Each puzzle involves a list of words organized by a common theme, such as colors, countries, rhyming words, or things associated with a particular season. This feature helps young readers review and expand their vocabulary by category while the puzzle-solving process trains them to be logical thinkers, who can identify patterns, tackle a complex task through small, sequential steps, and lock in a definitive answer through trial and error. They will likely gain proficiency in the game and confidence in their problem-solving capability at the same time.
Moreover, the presence of the Puzzle Pooch makes the book more interactive and accessible for the little ones, enticing them to jump in on the fun adventure.
Engaging as well as amusing, Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles makes a brilliant boredom buster that helps stop the summer slide by giving youngsters the opportunity to laugh and learn.
About the Book:
Ages: 6-12 | 78 Pages
Publisher: aka Associates (2025) | ISBN: 979-8989035755
Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles is a two books-in-one treasure trove of learning and laughter, created by an Ivy League-educated former teacher. In the first book, kids will delight in solving hilarious riddles—some guaranteed to make them giggle, others sure to earn a groan. The second book challenges them to place each word into a crisscross diagram, sharpening their minds and bringing words to life.
The real magic lies in solving these puzzles with pencil and paper. This hands-on approach boosts learning by engaging fine motor skills, improving focus, and minimizing distractions from digital devices. Writing on paper reinforces memory, builds cognitive connections, and nurtures problem-solving skills in a purposeful way. Unlike apps, which can sometimes lead to passive engagement or overstimulation, physical puzzles encourage deep, meaningful learning. Most importantly, kids will feel an incredible sense of accomplishment with each puzzle they solve—a reward that lasts far beyond the page!
Purchase link: Amazon
About the Author:
Helene Hovanec has been hooked on puzzles since she was six years old. She is a former elementary school teacher and is the author of more than 60 puzzle books. Helene is the creator of Dynamic DoubleCross and Plus One puzzles and the producer of Puzzles4Kids for King Features.
For more information, visit puzzlepooch.net and akabooks.com.
One Grand Prize winner will receive four copies of Helene Hovanec's books and a Puzzle Pooch prize pack including pencils, sharpeners, a book bag, a jigsaw puzzle, and a themed mug!
Ten additional winners will each receive a copy of Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles, bundled with Puzzle Pooch pencils and a sharpener!
Giveaway ends 7/2. Open to US only. Please enter via the widget below. Good luck!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by aka Associates. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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