37 replies to this topic

[Raien]

The fad's been dead for fifteen years but does anyone here still read these books? I've just picked up The Great Picture Hunt last week and it takes me back to my childhood reading the first three books. It's certainly a great return to form after the mediocre Wonder Book (it's not enjoyable if the crowd isn't funny). I've found everything now, but goddamn is it annoying when you have one thing left to find and your eyes are travelling in circles all over the page looking for it.

I'm going to get all the original books again; the new editions have added all the current characters like Wenda and Wizard Whitebeard, which is great. I'd recommend not getting the miniature books, though, because they're so small that in a few cases the dropped objects are not actually visible in the print.

PS: Interesting change:

Edited by Raien, 09 February 2009 - 05:57 PM.

[Veteran]

I never understood why "Odlaw" was so named. It was The Simpsons that explained to me Wally's also known as Waldo.

I have nearly all of the books somewhere but in my youthful stupidity I marked where everything was with a pen. It makes me sad just thinking about it.

[Raien]

It was The Simpsons that explained to me Wally's also known as Waldo.

Same. That really confused me, because "Wally" is a proper name, but "Waldo" is not (at least I've never heard anyone called Waldo). Another thing that confused me was the change from Wilma to Wenda; I never read the Magnificent Poster Book so I had no idea they were sisters. I thought it was just a name change.

I have nearly all of the books somewhere but in my youthful stupidity I marked where everything was with a pen. It makes me sad just thinking about it.

I used to do that, although I don't think I've kept those books. Anyway, you can get the first five books as a cheap box set now (Solid Gold Collection). That's what I'm getting.

PS: Do you remember the Ultimate Fun Book? That was awesome, as it had paper cutouts for a circus scene!

Edited by Raien, 09 February 2009 - 06:13 PM.

[SnowsilverKat]

I have "Where's Waldo," "Find Waldo Now," "The Great Waldo Search," and "Where's Waldo: In Hollywood." I also have the Ultimate Fun Book but I'm not sure where it is at the moment. Right now my books are set aside on the shelf for my niece, but she hasn't gotten to the 'reading' stage yet. As a kid I was oddly protective of them, so I'm hoping she doesn't eat them or draw on them in markers.

I dunno why, but he's always been Waldo here in the USA, though I might note, the dedication on the original book is 'for Wally.'

[Raien]

Is Waldo a person's name?

"Wally" also has an added pun in British slang, because it refers to someone who's very silly.

[SnowsilverKat]

According to Behind the Name it is: http://www.behindthe....com/name/waldo

Also there was a novella from the 40's called 'Waldo' about a scientist with the same name.

Of course, if you named someone 'Waldo' in the USA, chances are the poor kid would grow up having to listen to people joke constantly about where he was.

[Raien]

Of course, if you named someone 'Waldo' in the USA, chances are the poor kid would grow up having to listen to people joke constantly about where he was.

I would imagine that would be the same everywhere, regardless of nationality.

Also, did anyone watch the television series? The choice of voice actor for Wizard Whitebeard is hilarious!

Edited by Raien, 09 February 2009 - 07:49 PM.

[Quistis]

I loved those books. I think I might have to see if the library has them, just for fun.

I never knew there was a TV show for him either.

[Showsni]

Yeah, I watched the show a bit, and we have a few of the books.

I never understood why "Odlaw" was so named. It was The Simpsons that explained to me Wally's also known as Waldo.

Even when I saw it on the Simpsons I never realised that was the actual name of the series in America. I just assumed the Simpsons had changed it, to avoid legal issues or something.

Did you know the original Where's Wally? is one of the most banned books in America, due to this image:

?

[Crimson Lego]

I think I used to have a few of these, but they're probably gathering dust in a storage box or in my brother's closet.

[SnowsilverKat]

They put a top on the topless sunbather in the reprint. My version has her unedited.

...really, people are really too sensitive. A lot of sunbathers undo the bikini strap so they don't have a pale line across their back. It isn't like she did that flash deliberately either, that kid just stuck icecream on her. Sheesh people, it's called humor.

Also, I remember that TV show. Of course, his name was redubbed as Waldo.

Edited by SnowsilverKat, 09 February 2009 - 10:50 PM.

[Goose]

I own one of the videos. I might watch it tonight, If i can find it. The books are awesome.

[Quistis]

I just watched part of the video.. Who's the voice actor for Whitebeard??

[Quistis]

*Kicks internet* Sorry!

Edited by Quistis, 10 February 2009 - 03:12 AM.

[Chukchi Husky]

I was given a book a couple of years ago that's similar, except it's called "Where's Bin Laden?"

[Kwicky Koala]

I had a few of them, plus a Pokemon ripoff that I can't find anywhere. Come to that I can find the Where's Wally books either, must have thrown them out.

I love the Simpsons quote though: "Find Waldo, Yet Again... Man, he's just not trying anymore"

Plus:

Attached Files

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[Raien]

Quick question; does anyone do the checklists at the back of the book? I find them difficult sometimes if I don't "get" the jokes, but they're great fun.

...really, people are really too sensitive. A lot of sunbathers undo the bikini strap so they don't have a pale line across their back. It isn't like she did that flash deliberately either, that kid just stuck icecream on her. Sheesh people, it's called humor.

Blame the Puritans. To them, anything relating to sex will send you to Hell.

Also, I remember that TV show. Of course, his name was redubbed as Waldo.

It's actually an American show, so it began as Waldo and was redubbed as Wally.

And the voice of Wizard Whitebeard is Brad Garrett, who as the link shows, has done practically everything in recent animation history.


Also, another piece of childhood nostalgia. While randomly walking along the English coast, I found a minature village with Where's Wally sponsorship. A little model of Wally was placed in it, and tourists were given a checklist to find things there. That was a great time; I wonder if it's still there...

Edited by Raien, 10 February 2009 - 12:19 PM.

[Showsni]

Of course, I think we had more of the rip off versions than the Wally books. Things like "Hunt for Hector" and "Search for Sam." And "Look for Lisa."

Edited by Showsni, 10 February 2009 - 03:21 PM.

[Raien]

Of course, I think we had more of the rip off versions than the Wally books. Things like "Hunt for Hector" and "Search for Sam." And "Look for Lisa."

*nostalgia explosion*

Showsni, are you the manifestation of my childhood memories? Because you seem to bring up a lot of random childrens' books/television that I had completely forgotten about for ten years. Awesome.

Okay, let's test you. I'm thinking of a children's picture-puzzle book with a haunted house theme. The first double-spread page depicts the different rooms of the house as part of a large 2D maze (with scary things in the dead ends, obviously). One of the later pages features a painting of a woman looking in the mirror, which can be viewed as a skull. Know what book I'm thinking of (because I really don't know the title)?

[Showsni]

Hm, sounds a little familiar, but I don't think I know. Sounds a bit like one of those Usborne Puzzle books, remember them?

I think this one was my favourite:

[Raien]

Hm, sounds a little familiar, but I don't think I know. Sounds a bit like one of those Usborne Puzzle books, remember them?

I think this one was my favourite:

It wasn't an Usborne Puzzle Book, but I do remember them. They were great reads, as were the Puzzle World stories (Puzzle Island, Puzzle Castle, Puzzle Planet, etc). They've re-released those books as collections; I might pick one up. Also, Funfax!!!

One other thing you might be able to find for me... A series of young children's illustrated books featuring teddy bears, from the late eighties I reckon. One book had fireworks in it, although that's all I can remember. Any idea of what it could be?

Edited by Raien, 10 February 2009 - 04:36 PM.

[Kwicky Koala]

God I remember them. I never saw them in bookstores but the library seemed to have them all. I bet they're still there, in the children's section.

[Raien]

I liked the variety of the Usborne Puzzle Books. There was a variety of different mystery stories which made for great reading, and the puzzles were just right in terms of difficulty. They weren't patronisingly easy or frustratingly difficult. I also like that there was a mix of both visual puzzles and logical puzzles.

Edited by Raien, 10 February 2009 - 04:46 PM.

[Khallos]

God I remember them. I never saw them in bookstores but the library seemed to have them all. I bet they're still there, in the children's section.

Oh yeah, I loved all the weird puzzle ones, for some reason they just didn't have them in the top library at school...

And it should be Wally...because who's called Waldo? The only reason I like the name Waldo is because of everyone's favourite video gaming gimp.


edit: I think I binned mine out of lack of space.

Edited by Khallos, 10 February 2009 - 04:54 PM.

[Raien]

[Showsni]

Children's series with teddy bears? Well, probably not Old Bear and Friends, because I can't remember any fireworks in them. Paddington isn't a picture book, and he's not a teddy, though there are fireworks. Um... No idea.

Whilst we're doing nostalgic children's books,

[Fin]

[Raien]

When I said "teddybears", I meant a community of teddy bears living in their own little teddy bear world. But it's not a famous series, so if you don't know of it, then never mind.

[Veteran]

@_@

[Khallos]

Great book, loved it.

Thomas the Tank Engine, Bumps in the Night and Alfie also get honourable mentions.