1. education
2. teaching and classroom resources
3. lesson plans

LOGIC / THINKING
(see also our (Not) Just For Fun Section!)
math, science and social studies, students learn
to identify same and different, make and follow
a pattern, classify objects, and make and idenBUILDING THINKING SKILLS (PK-12)
This is a very complete thinking skills program, tify analogies.
14.99
covering all of the figural and verbal skills your 024180 PK Book . . . . . . . . . . 14.99
children are likely to see on a standardized test. 024179 K Book . . . . . . . . . . . The publisher, Critical Thinking Press, states
that Building Thinking Skills is “designed to Building Thinking Skills Primary (K-1)
This level was rewritten
significantly improve verbal and figural skills in
four important areas: similarities and differenc- in 2008. Activities begin
es, sequences, classifications, and analogies. using concrete materials, so
Proficiency in these skills is the cornerstone of you will need to use attribute
success in all academic areas, on standardized blocks and interlocking cubes
tests, and on college entrance exams.” They (mathlink or multilink); please
have scads of testimonials documenting the cor- see our Math section if you
relation between use of this series and increased need information on these.
test scores. We have no doubt that all the prac- About half the book uses these
tice you get in using this series would, indeed, manipulatives to help the child understand the
improve test scores. More importantly, many concepts of same and different, classifying, sortof the specific skills practiced here also have ing and grouping. Once the child has mastered
application in different professions. Other skills skills with these tangible objects, pages progwould seem to generally improve your ability to ress to pictorial representations real-life people
“see things” in different ways or train your mind and things – family members, foods, animals,
occupations, vehicles, and buildings. These are
to stretch in different directions.
The broader goals of this series are translated shown by full-color photographs. Also at this
into specific skills and exercises within these point, printing (ball and stick method) becomes
areas. Learning is spiral within skills, within a part of the course; as you can do these exerbooks, and between levels. That is, exercises cises orally, it is optional whether or not the
progress in sophistication and scope within each student prints the answers. The final chapter
book, and from level to level. This translates covers analogies, the acid test as to whether the
into several hefty worktexts full of practice exer- child understands the classifying and grouping
cises that children actually enjoy doing! Except of previous chapters. Activities are designed for
for the Primary level, students can work pretty one-on-one instruction, and answers will likely
much on their own, proceeding as quickly be apparent to the instructor.
The teacher CD-ROM offers enhancement for
through the series as they’re able. If you’re
starting an older child in the series, however, lessons and guidance for the teacher. The guide
use the suggested grade levels for proper place- gives explanation of the content, suggests difment. Teacher’s manuals contain lesson plans ferent types of instructional methods, and offers
and solutions. If you want to be able to correct ideas for follow-up activities. A guide for using
exercises quickly, or feel some exercises need the lesson plans explains the components of
each lesson. Lessons are scripted and list mateexplanation, you’ll want these.
rials needed, page correlation to the student
book, objectives, and answers. CD is Windows/
Building Thinking Skills Beginning (PK)
A brand new starting point for the Building Mac compatible. Generally at this level the
Thinking Skills series, the Beginning course teacher’s manual on CD is not necessary, but it
is intended for children ages 3 and 4. Pages certainly will make teaching the program easier
are brightly colored and uncluttered, with and more organized. pb.
32.99
exercises that look fun for kids this age to do. 014194 Student . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99
Basic skills covered include colors, similarities 014215 Teacher CD-ROM . . . . and differences, geometric shapes, inference, 007935 Attribute Blocks . . . 19.99 11.95
measurement, problem solving, and analogies. 018741 Multilink Cubes . . . 16.60 15.50
At a deeper level, two pages at the beginning
show which exercises relate to physiological Pattern Blocks: (Choose from below)
7.95
development and cognitive skills such as visual 018743 Set of 100 plastic . . . 9.99
tracking, auditory processing, and fine motor 018744 Set of 250 plastic . . 24.99 18.95
skills development, among others. If you were 015445 Set of 250 wood . . 21.95 17.50
to find an area that needs attention, you could 015343 Wood (250) Bagged 20.95 17.95
focus on the exercises on these page numbers.
No manipulatives are required with this book; Building Thinking Skills Book 1 (2-3)
Use after completion of Primary book or as
however, some of the exercises show geometric
shapes that look like attribute blocks. It would soon as children can read (or you can read
be easier and more fun for the student to have directions to them). Strictly pencil and paper
these available during the lesson, and if you go activities here with practice in such things as
on to Building Thinking Skills Primary, you will identifying figural and verbal similarities and
differences, sequencing, classifying, developing
need them anyway. sc, 218 pgs.
014217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.99 analogies, following directions and logical connectives (AND, OR). Answers included. 363
pgs. Revised in 2006.
Can You Find Me? (PK-K)
An optional Teacher CD is also available. It
Think of this as Building Thinking Skills Lite.
Intended to develop readiness skills in reading, contains the full text of the Teacher's Edition
THINKING SKILLS - PROGRAMS
676
Logic
in PDF format. Although answers are already
included in the worktext, the Teacher CD also
features objectives, focus questions and additional background information for the teacher.
The software version features the same activities
in an interactive format. There are 10 levels of
activities, and players can choose from "mission"
mode where they complete activities in order or
"practice" mode for review. Approximately 40
activities are included in the software, with
over 800 questions in all. Instructions are both
spoken and written.
System requirements:
Windows 98/NT/Me/2000/XP/Vista or Mac OS
X (10.3+), PowerPC. 128 MB RAM for either.
003347 Worktext and Key . . . 29.99
018036 CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.99
049796 Teacher CD . . . . . . . . 19.99
Building Thinking Skills Book 2 (4-6)
May be used earlier if student has completed Book 1. All skills learned in Book 1 are
reviewed and exercises become increasingly
complex with more specific skills. Examples
of skills practiced are classification, following directions, deductive reasoning, parts of
a whole, Word Benders, Venn and branching
diagrams, pattern folding, rotation, reflection,
overlapping classes and mental manipulation
of two-dimensional objects. Answers included,
408 pgs. Revised in 2006.
An optional Teacher CD is also available. It
contains the full text of the Teacher's Edition
in PDF format. Although answers are already
included in the worktext, the Teacher CD also
features objectives, focus questions and additional background information for the teacher.
The software version of the program features
the same activities as the worktexts, but in an
interactive format. There are 10 levels of activities which can be played in either "mission" or
"practice" mode. Approximately 40 activities
are included in the software, with over 800
questions in all. Instructions are both spoken
and written. System requirements: Windows
98/NT/Me/2000/XP/Vista or Mac OS X (10.3+),
PowerPC. 128 MB RAM for either.
000114 Worktext and Key . . . 29.99
018040 Book on CD . . . . . . . . 34.99
049797 Teacher CD . . . . . . . . 19.99
Building Thinking Skills Books 3 (7-12)
May be used earlier with students completing previous level. Activities are reviewed and
have “branched” into additional skills and more
sophistication, so much so that verbal and figural skills are now separated into different books.
A very brief sampling of included skills: deductive reasoning, denotation and connotations,
following and writing directions, time, degree of
meaning, cause-and-effect words, flowcharting
and scheduling, Venn and branching diagrams,
congruence, area, volume, and rotation and
reflection of two and three dimensional objects.
Teacher’s Manuals included. An optional CD
version of the Verbal 3 Teacher Book in PDF
format is also available.
007987 Figural Worktext & Key 29.99
049798 Figural Teacher CD . . 19.99
013460 Verbal Worktext & Key 29.99
001379 Verbal Teacher CD . . . 19.99
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Visual Perceptual Skill Building (PK-4)
Janine thinks this book is great fun, but I
can see it sharpening her visual perception
and tracking skills. We completed most of
it at the tender age of three, but have a little
left to do this year. It helps lay the groundwork for the higher-level skills she’ll need to
learn to read, write, spell, etc. later on. The
book is divided into eight sections: Mazes,
Visual Discrimination, Visual Closure, Visual
Form Constancy, Visual Figure Ground, Visual
Memory, Visual Sequential Memory, and Visual
Spatial Relationships. Each section begins with
a pre-test, so you can determine if the child
needs work in that area, or to gauge their existing skill level. After completing each section,
a post-test allows for final assessment. There
are 208 activities in all, but they are quick to
complete. The Mazes section is more than just
finding the right path in increasingly complex
mazes - exercises also practice eye-motor coordination and tracking. In Visual Discrimination,
exercises are on finding likenesses, from matching shapes to matching an object or letters to
identical, but incomplete, forms (visual closure).
Visual Ground goes further with the student having to match a shape or figure to an identical
one that is partly obscured or sitting amidst visual distractions. This really helps increase their
focus. Visual Form Constancy requires students
to select objects with the same shape, ignoring
other attributes (placement, rotation, shading,
size, etc.). In Visual Memory, the child must
look at a page, then turn the page to find the
match. They cannot look back at the first page.
This is an exercise which helps young children
to focus and practice using their short-term
memory skills. Visual Sequential Memory takes
this to the next level. Students briefly study
a page with several figures (including letters),
then turn the page and select the correct figures
and sequence from among options displayed.
Finally, in the Visual Spatial Relationship section, students exercise discrimination skills by
selecting the one figure that’s different. As in
other sections, exercises increase in difficulty
throughout the section. This would be an excellent workbook to use even prior to Developing
the Early Learner. Many of the same skills are
practiced, but at a gentler level. The book also
includes answers. Book 2 in the series builds on
the skills developed in Book 1. It can be used
at grade level without having used the first book
or for younger children who have completed
Book 1.
000395 Book 1 (PK-2) . . . . . . 19.99
005656 Book 2 (2-4) . . . . . . . 19.99
Hands-On Thinking Skills (K-1)
Young children will appreciate this handson approach to developing analytic thinking
skills via an exploration of shapes, colors,
and patterns.
The activities require three
types of manipulatives: attribute blocks, pattern
blocks, and interlocking (or multilink) cubes.
Like the Building Thinking Skills program,
activities cover four key areas: Similarities and
Differences, Sequences, Classifications, and
Analogies. Simple activity instructions appear at
the top of each page as a basic guideline for the
teacher. The activity book itself is approximately 250 pages. Manipulatives are not included.
Required manipulatives for this program are as
follows: A) Pattern Blocks – set of 100 in six colors and shapes (triangle, trapezoid, rhombus (2
types), hexagon, square); B) Interlocking Cubes
– set of 100 (plastic cubes that link on all sides,
10 cubes of 10 different colors); C) Attribute
Blocks – set of 60 (pieces come in 5 shapes
(triangle, square, rectangle, circle, hexagon), 3
colors (red, blue, yellow), 2 sizes (large, small),
2 thicknesses). ~ Anh
003486 Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.99
018743 Pattern Blocks (100) . . 9.99 7.95
018741 Multilink Cubes (100) . 16.60 15.50
007935 Attribute Blocks (60) . . 19.99 11.95
~~~~~~~~~
Stepping Stones (K-2)
Get your children on the path to critical thinking with these books. Each lesson has a series
of pictures. The child’s job is to think about
the pictures and identify a pattern which will
tell them what the next picture should be. For
example, one lesson has a picture of an alligator, a balloon, a piece of candy, a dog and an
elephant. The pattern in this exercise is the
alphabetical sequence and the next picture
should be of something beginning with f. The
exercises make use of patterns with ending
sounds, shapes, in and out, right and left, seasons, textures etc. One of the beauties of this
series is that it will easily incorporate into your
other curriculums. As you are teaching singular
and plural noun forms to your children, you can
pull out the critical thinking exercise which uses
that concept in it’s pattern from this book. The
teacher’s guide gives a general introduction, a
rationale, objectives, hints for use, and answers.
We recommend that you DO purchase a teacher’s guide with each level. ~ Genevieve
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.45
9.50
EACH TEACHER’S GUIDE . . . . 4.60
3.35
Student
Teacher
012215
Book 1
012216
012217
Book 2
012218
012219
Book 3
012220
Critical Thinking Activities (K-12)
This series concentrates on three types of
critical thinking: recognizing patterns, visual
imagery, and logic & reason. Increasing a
student’s awareness of patterns is helpful in
many areas - but especially in mathematics,
since mathematics is largely a study of patterns!
Activities included in this section contain both
visual and mathematical reasoning to discover
and continue patterns. Imagery (the ability
to visualize) is extremely helpful in problem
solving as well. Exercises include reproducing
designs, ordering, comparing, symmetry, mirror
images, congruence, rotation, similarity, part to
whole relationships, folding, turning, rotating,
and more. Logic, of course, helps students to
think “successfully.” Again, you’ll find a wide
assortment of activities here including logic
word problems, visual logic, Venn diagrams,
following directions, making deductions, deciphering codes, ordering steps, etc. Within
each section, activities progress from easy, to
medium, to difficult. The author’s main goal in
developing this series was to increase students’
abilities in mathematics by sharpening the three
important elements of critical thinking in math:
patterns, imagery, and logic. However, increasing your children’s ability to recognize patterns,
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
use visual imagery, and reason logically will
help them solve problems in almost any subject
area - and in life. We list these books in this
section rather than math because the benefits of
using them far exceed the boundaries of math.
What impresses us also about these books is
the range and variety of activities. We have
seen and used other thinking skills workbooks
in the past, but, despite their increased volume,
there was a lot of repetition of very similar exercises (not that these volumes are lightweights
- they range between 174-192 pages each!). In
order to cover the full scope of activities included in Critical Thinking Activities, you’d have to
purchase several different books. The books
are reproducible, but, unless you have access
to inexpensive copying, you might want to use
them as workbooks. As an additional bonus the answers are included right in the books.
EACH BOOK (except noted) 21.47 20.75
014358 Grades K-3
012958 Grades 4-6
014359 Grades 7-12 . . . . . . 20.97 19.95
Steck Vaughn Critical Thinking (1-6)
What happens when you cross a classroomoriented critical thinking course with periodic
take-home newsletters suggesting reinforcement
activities to be completed at homel? You get a
full-bodied approach that is relatively easy to
use at home. This series is organized according
to Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives
and presents the direct teaching of these skills,
which provides students with the opportunity to
focus on thinking rather than on content areas.
At levels C through F all six areas are covered – Knowing (classifying, fact and opinion),
Understanding (figural relationships, identifying
main ideas), Applying (estimating, inferring),
Analyzing (abstract or concrete, recognizing
fallacies), Synthesizing (planning projects, drawing conclusions), and Evaluating (judging accuracy, identifying values). Levels A and B cover
only the first four. The student books (black
and white with color accents) are consumable
worktexts providing practice for each skill. The
teacher’s editions give step-by-step lesson plans
for teaching each skill (first part of book) and a
complete full-text answer key with teacher notes
(last part of book). Each lesson plan presents a
five-step procedure: define the skill, identify the
steps, demonstrate the skill, practice the skill,
and provide feedback. The lessons also provide
three suggestions for meaningful enrichment
activities although these are often group-oriented and may need to be adapted for homeschool
use. The take-home newsletters mentioned are
provided as reproducible masters. Please note
that due to some manufacturing changes by the
publisher, our current stock of teacher's editions
have a lower print quality than they did previously. While some pages are "fuzzy" the print is
still readable. ~ Janice
EACH STUDENT . . . . . . . . . 24.10 22.95
EACH TEACHER . . . . . . . . . . 23.45 22.50
Student
Teacher
035630
Level A
035636
035631
Level B
035637
035632
Level C
035638
035633
Level D
035639
035634
Level E
035640
035635
Level F
035641
Logic
677
Problem-Based Learning w/ the Internet (3-6)
057377 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.95 20.75
James Madison Critical Thinking Course (7-12)
There’s hardly any doubt that a student taking a critical thinking course will want to talk
about it – dare we say argue? And CT courses
– and their more formal cousins – Logic courses
– have typically encouraged teacher-student/
class interaction. But busy homeschool moms
sometimes find it hard to provide that discussion environment. This new course by Critical
Thinking Press makes the whole process much
simpler and allows your student to work somewhat independently through the ins and outs of
critical thinking. Using a case study approach
and a fictional detective with the Los Angeles
Police Department – Stephanie Wise – each
chapter focuses on a skill set necessary for
making an informed decision. Short, clear
explanations of logic principles are provided as
necessary and, combined with examples and
exercises, lead the student step-by-step into
complicated analysis skills. Chapters include
Questions, Practices, and Qualities of Critical
Thinkers; Facts, Claims of Fact, and Opinions;
Ambiguity, Descriptions, and Explanations;
Valid and Invalid Arguments; Arguments Based
on Claims; Categorical Syllogisms; Inductive
Arguments, and Informal Fallacies.
The (huge) 534-page, pb Student Worktext
includes instructional information, examples,
exercises, and quizzes. Designed as a consumable, pages are perforated for easy removal but
are reproducible for one home or classroom.
The Teacher Book (96 pgs, pb) is primarily the
answer key; providing answers to both the exercises and the quizzes, but virtually no additional
information.
Since Critical Thinking Press already publishes
a critical thinking course, a comparison between
the two seems an obvious question. There are
similarities in the two scope and sequences but
as mentioned earlier, CT appears to have more
of a class or discussion format while JMCT is
more geared toward self-instructional. The
JMCT course is written by William O’Meara and
Daniel Flage, two long-time professors at James
Madison University; both among the authors
of the JM Critical Thinking Test. The authors
state that students completing the JMCT course
will be learning the skills needed for the James
Madison Test of Critical Thinking. ~ Janice
043490 Student Worktext . . . . 42.99
006528 Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . 10.99
educational dinnertime chit-chat! This series is
broad in scope and topics covered (see contents
below). The books contain interesting real-life
situations. A “logical” follow-up to Building
Thinking Skills from the same publisher.
005792 Book 1 (7-12) . . . . . . . 24.99
Contains: Basic Concepts, Common Errors
in Reasoning, Propaganda Techniques,
Advertising and Schemes, Examining
Arguments and Value Judgments, Learning
to be Open-Minded.
009023 Book 1 Tchr Manual . . 10.99
005793 Book 2 (10-AD) . . . . . 26.99
Contains: Uses & Misuses of Words, Logic
without Quantified Statements, Common
Errors in Reasoning, Techniques of
Propaganda and Argument, Probabilities
of Truth & Falsity, Logic with Quantified
Statements, Characteristics of Arguments,
Arguments about Everyday Matters.
009027 Book 2 Tchr Manual . . 10.99
THINKING SKILLS - SUPPLEMENTAL
miniLUK System (K-3)
This truly unique learning tool has been
around for many years. It is designed for learning through play and is flexible for individual
learning ability. It’s great logic development for
younger children. The main part of this program
is the controller with 12 numbered tiles. The
controller is a hinged, high quality plastic case,
red bottom and transparent top, divided into
12 sections which fit the 12 tiles. The Starter
Pack includes the controller and tiles, “My First
MiniLUK” workbook, a skills chart, and a parent guide to help you use your new system to
its fullest potential.
The MiniLUK workbook is placed under the
transparent panel of the case; students then
place the correct number tile in the proper
location. If tiles are placed correctly, children
will see the symmetric pattern on the back
of the tiles which matches the pattern in the
book. There are 12 questions on each exercise
page to be completed before the pattern can
be checked. Books come in a variety of topics
which can be purchased separately, and “My
First MiniLUK Workbook,” which accompanies
the Starter Pack, includes exercises from basic
to a more challenging level. The first exercises
in this book are 2 sets of 12 pictures of spirals
in 6 different colors, with the spiral going in
two different directions. Students are then asked
to match the spirals from the two different
sets, placing the number tile of the matching
spiral in the correct tile square. The exercises
in this book provide practice in visual perception, concentration, critical thinking, knowledge
reinforcement, math, and geometry. Added benefits of using the tiles are strengthening of fine
motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Brain
Challenger workbooks are for students ages
5-7 and Advance is for ages 6-8 and provides
advanced exercises in visual perception ability, general learning, higher thinking skills, and
spatial relationships.
I know how much fun this system can be,
because we used it at our house 20 years ago.
It is still in great shape today, and my twentysomething children still haul it out when they
come home. In preparation for writing this
description I worked through some of the exercises, and found myself wishing that they made
one of these for adults. – Donna
024301 Starter Pack . . . . . . 25.00 19.95
024475 Controller . . . . . . . 20.00 15.95
024294 Critical Thinking
(3 book set) . . . . . . 18.00 14.95
024295 Math & Basic Geom
(3 book set) . . . . . . 18.00 14.95
☼Snap Shots: Critical Thinking Photo Cards
(PK-2)
Don’t most kids love looking at pictures?
Imagining conversations or situations based
on clues in the photos is a fun way to engage
your child’s critical thinking skills. When you
add focused questions to the mix, you now
have a lesson that can be a conversation or a
writing assignment. Each of the 40 laminated,
8x8” cards shows a color photo on one side
and holds four related questions on the back.
Families, friends, and individuals – most pictures show children, and various cultures and
backgrounds are represented. Pictures include
scenes such as a dinner table, winning a race,
washing up after painting, sharing a cookie with
a friend and other photos conveying emotions.
Questions on the back ask students to predict
what will happen next and what the people
may be feeling: What might the boys digging
in the dirt find? Is a frog more like a rabbit or
a snake – why? How do you feel when you go
around in a circle? You could use these with
one student or a group. Use them as a warm-up
activity to language arts lessons. Have students
apply weekly spelling or vocabulary words to
the photos. Since the cards are not consumable,
you could use these for many years to come. In
a group, you could give pairs of students a card,
have them answer the questions and report to
the group. This requires planning, public speaking, and defending a response – all useful skills.
They come in a sturdy box for storage. ~ Sara
EACH PACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 15.50
035685 Grades PK-K 035684 Grades 1-2
EACH SINGLE BOOK . . . . . . 12.00
Critical Thinking (7-AD)
Not just a course in logic, but also in critical reading, reasoning, and problem solving as
well. This is not a course designed for independent study, but is interesting enough to enjoy
working through with your students. With 4
children in the appropriate age range, we’ve
taken to using the supper table for our discussion-type lessons. It sure beats some of our less
678
Logic
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety
miniLUK
024267
024268
024320
024349
Brain Challenger (K-2):
Colors & Shapes
Concentration
Theme-Based Learning
Visual Perception
miniLUK
023883
024010
024211
024240
Advance (1-3):
Geometry
Higher Order 1
Higher Order 2
Visual Perception
Improvement Act warning labels.
10.45
BambinoLUK (PK-K)
In the same fashion as
the miniLUK, BambinoLUK
strengthens fine motor
skills, enhances eye-hand
coordination, promotes
self-confidence, improves
memory and concentration, boosts visual perception, develops critical
thinking, and builds foundations for reading,
writing and math.
The controller is made of heavy clear plastic
and measures 16 cm x 18 cm. There are only 6
tiles (5.5 sq cm) in this younger version of the
game, each 1 cm in thickness for easier grasping with little fingers and hands. The front of
each tile is printed with a simple, recognizable
picture (apple, flower, duck, car, heart, house)
and the back is printed with red, green, and
blue half circles.
Play is easy – place the open controller on top
of the workbook, position tiles in the top half of
the controller to cover 6 pictures, pick up each
tile to display the picture below, and place that
tile on the matching picture at the lower portion
of the controller. The half circles on the back
form a pattern for easy checking.
The Starter Pack includes the controller with
tiles, workbook, parent/teacher guide, skills
chart, and free access to online resources. The
workbook provides practice in a variety of
skill areas, the parent guide offers suggestions
for different types of play and the objective of
the product, and the skill chart rates the books
in this series and skill development. Online
resources include templates so you can design
your own BambinoLUK exercises.
Workbooks each contain 11 full-color exercises, and instructions for use are found in the
front. Transportation, farm animals, and zoo
animals are just a few of the themes used as
children practice matching, recognizing parts
and wholes, and more.
The Primary set is a series of 3 workbooks to be
used with the BambinoLUK controller for children 2 and up or even for children with special
needs. This series progresses in difficulty and
works on development at the most basic level.
Book 1 begins by using only part of the tiles,
the controller, and the BambinoLUK concept.
Book 2 introduces exercises using colors, simple
shapes and outlines, solids, and other visual
discrimination. Book 3 provides basic level
exercises using more detailed pictures, with the
child matching small and large, color and black/
white, patterns, and different views.
This product is a lot of fun for children and
takes a unique approach to learning. If you’re
having trouble visualizing it, you can play
with a virtual sample of the BambinoLUK at
beyond123.com/bam/b-play.html. - Donna
EACH BELOW (except noted) 12.00 10.45
037539 Beginning Math
037564 Concentration
037580 Controller Only . . . 20.00 15.95
037703 Critical Thinking 1 . 18.00 14.95
037816 Critical Thinking 2
037894 Theme-Based Learning: Animals
037941 Visual Perception 1
038101 Visual Perception 2
037890 Early Learning –
Starter Set . . . . . . . 25.00 19.95
038114 Primary Set . . . . . . 18.00 14.95
Thinking Skills for Tests (PK-5)
I really love the way the
Critical Thinking Co. workbooks are formatted, making
it easy and fun for students
to complete each page. This
new series of workbooks is no
exception. Containing beneficial practice skills, they teach
children how to use critical
thinking skills to give their best performance on
any test. This is an excellent series for students
to gain test-taking confidence and skill knowledge, while recognizing how the critical thinking skills they already possess can be utilized
when taking a test. ~ Gina/Deanne
031416 PK-2 Guide . . . . . . . . 12.99
Provides clear, scripted instructions for easy
teaching to ensure students understand each
question’s underlying concept.
031456 PK-2 Workbook . . . . . 9.99
Includes nine thinking skills that are based
on verbal and nonverbal reasoning and
logic. Students also gain practice by listening to and following directions.
025359 ☼Level 1 (3-5) . . . . . . 27.99
Systematic method of practicing critical
thinking in a test-taking format by teaching
a four step process for successful multiple
choice questions in two test areas: reading skills and math skills. Additional test
taking strategies and common mistakes are
reviewed.
Word Problems of the Day (K-2)
057948 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.95
12.95
Primary Thinking Skills (1-2)
Logic books to challenge your young thinkers.
These books contain a wide variety of activities
and a good blend of skills so that kids won't
get bored doing the same things over and over
again. The books contain lots of drawing and
math-related activities as well, so they help
transfer logical thinking into other subject areas.
26-28 pgs; answer key included. ~ Megan
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.99
5.50
009571 Drawing Solutions/Finding Facts
Skills utilized include adding and subtracting whole numbers, analyzing information, deriving meaning from pictures/signs,
sequencing, following directions, understanding similarities and differences, using
logic, and using visual discrimination.
009574 Following Directions/Making Inferences
Skills include deriving meaning from pictures/signs, sequencing, evaluating information, following directions, making inferences, recognizing patterns, using logic,
and using visual discrimination.
009612 Using Logic & Reason
Skills include analyzing information, classifying information, deriving meaning from
pictures/signs, determining sequences, distinguishing true/false information, evaluating information, following directions, making inferences, understanding similarities
and differences, using logic, and using
visual discrimination.
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Creative Thinking Rev-Ups (1-8)
Some days are easier than others to get kids
motivated to learn. These little spiral-bound
books of ideas are inspiration to fire up their
engines. Think of them as warming up kids’
motors. Here are a few ideas from the book for
younger kids: Name 3 things that would be hard
to do wearing mittens and explain why. Write
a menu for the worst meal you can imagine
and draw a picture. Invent a silly new way for
people to show that they are happy. The older
kids have fun things too. If you could step back
in time, who would you want to see and why?
Describe glass to someone who has never seen
it or felt it. Think of your favorite color and how
it would smell. Chatty kids will love these and
they just might bring out the quieter child from
their shell. Nearly 200 activities guaranteed to
get students’ brains in gear.192 pgs, pb. ~ Sara
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.50
053241 Grades 1-3
053242 Grades 4-8
Thinking Skills (2-6)
These friendly thinking skills books will get
your kids’ brains working in a variety of different
ways. The pages are very approachable, with
colorful illustrations and many fun-to-complete
activities. That’s not to say there won’t be some
work and brain -stretching involved! The books
cover a variety of skills including vocabulary,
alphabetizing, facts vs. opinions, classifying,
research, reference skills, logic problems, patterns, comprehension, writing, sequencing and
a whole lot more. Each 128-pg book contains
over 100 workbook pages, and answers to all
the problems are located in the back. ~ Megan
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.95
5.50
033581 Grade 2
033583 Grade 4
033582 Grade 3
033585 Grade 6
Waker-Uppers: Spirited Collection of Thinking
Activities (2-6)
Convince your children that higher-order thinking problems can be fun! Drawing challenges,
personal questions, logic puzzles, mazes and
more are inventive and enjoyable. As you look
at the open book, the answers are on the left
page and the puzzles are on the right. You
can either copy the student’s page or cover up
the answer page. Each page has 4-7 activities,
with a total of over 300 in all. The activities are
presented in a fun way with humorous illustrations sprinkled throughout, and are based upon
themes ranging from money to animals to movie
stars. Use these to inspire a journal entry or
other writing assignments. Begin your school
day with a page then discuss their answers. An
enjoyable, lighthearted approach that encourages kids to express themselves and flex those
brain muscles. 110pp, pb, reproducible ~ Sara
054462 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.00 12.95
Logic
679
Gotta Think (2-6)
At first glance, thumbing through this book,
your impression might be “Isn’t this a bit
retro?” Pages are hand-lettered and illustrations
are hand-drawn. The activities seem rather
bunched together. However, if you look closer,
you’ll notice that each seemingly simple exercise requires a challenging bit of thinking. Four
to six themed activities are grouped together
on a page. Some examples of the themes are:
garage sale, on the table, star bright, and
automobiles. Activities are delightfully varied,
requiring students to write, draw, make lists,
analyze, and exercise their critical thinking
skills. For added fun, the tops of the pages challenge students to write their names based upon
the pages’ themes (that’s 50 different ways to
write your name!). Answers are on the left-hand
facing page and right-hand activity pages are
reproducible (for families or classrooms). 109
pgs, pb ~ Janice
054458 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.00 12.95
Look! Listen! Think! (2-7)
Exercises to build visual, auditory and cognitive
skills. These short books are unlike any others
we've seen. They contain both visual and listening exercises designed to improve a student's
attention, observation, and memory. Ten reproducible pages in the Visual Memory section are
designed to be folded (or cut) in half. Students
have a specified time to study the picture, then
turn it over (or in) and answer a series of questions about it. Listening Memory Skill pages
are of four types: Concentration! (5 lessons),
Item Missing (16 sets), Digits Forwards (24 sets),
Digits Backwards (24 sets). All four practice
listening and memory. The first and last also
practice concentration. Teacher instructions are
supplied, along with scoring sheets.
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
6.25
005801 Grades 2-3 005811 Grades 6-7
005807 Grades 4-5
Think-A-Minutes (2-8)
Make the most of every minute! These books
contain an assortment of activities (verbal and
figural) from various Critical Thinking Books &
Software publications. The activities, ideal for
warm-ups or extra credit, are short and do not
require additional instruction. For instance, can
you logically explain the following situation, “A
car traveled for nearly a mile with a flat tire, yet
the driver was unaware of it. How can that be?”
In case you’re wondering, the solution to this
riddle is located in the back of Book 1, Level B.
Improve analysis and reasoning skills by solving
puzzles, predicting patterns, completing analogies, and breaking secret codes. Approximately
40 activities per book. ~ Anh
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
013320 Book A1
013321 Book A2
013322 Book B1
013323 Book B2
013324 Book C1
013325 Book C2
Critical Thinking Skills Series (3-6)
This series focuses on many of the individual
skills wrapped up in the general term “critical
thinking” (while also appearing to be just plain
fun!). Each 30-page book holds thirty worksheets, all covering the same topic through a
different engaging activity. While sharpening
critical thinking skills, these exercises will also
680
Logic
naturally improve children’s reading, writing,
reasoning, and test scores. No preparation is
required and the answers are in the back of the
book, so these activities are ready when you
are. ~ Steph
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.50
036637 Absurdities
036638 Analogies
036639 Analysis
036640 Application
036641 Classification
036642 Comprehension
036643 Drawing Solutions
036644 Evaluation
036645 Finding Facts
036646 Following Directions
036647 Knowledge
036649 Sequence
036650 Similarities & Differences
036651 Synthesis
036652 Using Logic
Great Honey Robbery (3-6)
Who stole the honey?! Folks in Brody’s
Landing are anxious to find out who broke
into Granny Dobbs’s honey shed and took her
honey. Best friends J. R. and Ryan decide to
spend the rest of their summer vacation helping
Officer Matthews find the culprit. This great
mystery is the central theme to all 30 activities
in this critical thinking activity book. By solving a series of smaller mysteries, students will
eventually solve the Great Honey Robbery. The
engaging storyline makes it easy to forget that by
solving these mysteries, kids are also practicing
deductive reasoning, analytical thinking, the
process of elimination, logic puzzles, timelines,
and other critical thinking skills. The logic puzzles in this book are grid-based, and many of
the earlier logic puzzles come with corresponding game pieces to cut out, manipulate, and
organize while thinking about the clues. ~ Anh
009125 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.95 11.95
FORMAL LOGIC
and validity, universals and particulars, categorized relationships, syllogism, logical fallacy,
symbolic logic, and much more. The newest
version of the course includes 39 consumable
lessons (instead of the 24 from the older edition). Another upgrade is that the definitions of
important terms, key points, and caution signs
regarding common errors are now set apart in
the margins of the text. Many of the explanations are clearer, and minor errors from the earlier edition have been corrected. There is now a
section on defining terms, which used to be in
Intermediate Logic but makes more sense in this
one. This expanded and redesigned book also
has a new cover. It now sports a perfect-binding
instead of spiral and has perforated exercise
pages for easy removal. The previous answer
key has been expanded into a teacher's edition
with daily lesson schedules; answers to all exercises, review exercises, quizzes and tests; the
entire content of the student text; and detailed
daily lesson plans. The DVD Set includes lessons from Jim Nance from Logos School, who
introduces 20 lessons that coordinate with the
textbook. Jim has taught logic for years and coauthored the book, so his instruction is helpful.
The Homeschool Package contains the Student
Text, Teacher Edition, Test Book, and DVD Set.
A book of additional questions is also available.
1001 Questions is a supplement that gives an
average of 26 new questions for each lesson of
the Introductory Logic text. These are helpfully
divided by lesson and are numbered for quick
reference. Answers are included. The book
includes a CD-ROM that contains the digital
version of the entire text in both Word and PDF
formats. Make Introductory Logic one of their
required courses and arm them for battle!
014613 Student Text . . . . . . 29.00 21.95
036612 Test Book . . . . . . . 10.00
8.50
037541 Teacher Edition . . . 32.00 23.95
INTROL Set of 3 above . . . . 71.00 51.95
036592 DVD Set . . . . . . . . 75.00 56.95
INLRPK Set of all 4 . . . . . . . 146.00 109.95
053535 1001 Questions . . . 20.00 15.95
FUNDAMENTALS OF THINKING WELL FROM Intermediate Logic (8-AD)
CANON PRESS
This book is a logical progression from
Introductory Logic. Refined in the classroom,
Introductory Logic - 5th Ed. (7-AD)
this text covers recognizing basic types of
Every person should have a course in logic statements, arguing with syllogisms, arguing
at some point. It is important for children to with ordinary language, propositional logic,
be prepared to argue logically, defend their proofs, truth trees, and so much more. When
positions, and spot fallacies. The only thing added to Introductory Logic, these books would
more frustrating than knowing your opponent is constitute a full, one-year course in logic. Like
wrong is to have to combat a well-constructed, the first book, this one has been expanded,
logical argument when you are unable. There corrected, and redesigned (it now has 40 conis no real “defense” against sound logic and sumable lessons). The format is the same as
thinking. Many logic books are written at too Introductory Logic, with perforated exercise
high a level for younger students to compre- pages. The Teacher Edition is recommended.
hend. Canon Press says this course is written for The DVD Set includes lessons from Jim Nance
“primary and secondary students.” Cathy Duffy, from Logos School, who introduces 20 lessons
however, says “the content is beyond typi- that coordinate with the textbook. Jim has taught
cal high-school-level material.” I have looked logic for years and co-authored the book, so his
through this book and found it simpler to use instruction is helpful. The Homeschool Package
and understand than the course I had in high contains the Student Text, Answer Key, Test &
school. I would hope that my 12 year olds Quiz Packet, and DVD Set.
could handle it without much difficulty. It is 014592 Student Text . . . . . 29.00 21.95
a complete and fairly rigorous course, and is 036562 Test & Quiz Packet 10.00
8.50
from a Christian perspective. The course builds 037554 Teacher Edition . . . 32.00 23.95
from basic to more complex, giving students the INTMDLSet of 3 above . . . . 71.00 51.95
tools they need, with good examples along the 036127 DVD Set . . . . . . . . 75.00 56.95
way. Exercises teach logical statements, truth IMLRPK Set of all 4 . . . . . . . 146.00 109.95
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Argument Builder (8-12)
When you want to learn how to build an
argument from the ground up it makes sense
to study the master, Aristotle. His “common
topics,” – definitions, testimony, comparison,
relationship, and circumstance – are introduced
and examined as well as the fallacies associated
with each. The student is given lots of opportunity to analyze examples and apply what is
being learned to building an “official” argument.
The question of school uniforms runs through
each chapter and the student works toward
building an effective argument (either for or
against) which can be presented in the form of
a public debate as a final course project. Both
Student and TE include Endnotes, Glossary, and
Logic Series from Classical Academic Press (7-12) Bibliography. 185 pgs, pb
Laced with humor and practical applications, 051557 Student Text . . . . . . 22.95 19.95
Classical Academic Press strives to make logic 051558 Teacher Edition . . . 24.95 21.95
accessible. And succeeds, too! The series
has more background material than other logic Discovery of Deduction (8-12)
books plus lots of “modern” examples. Making
The “let’s get down to formal logic” book in
great use of dialogues and cartoons, there are the series, looking at reasoning in the abstract
some practice exercises but the emphasis is and focusing primarily on deductive reasoning.
more on the “meat” of the text rather than on Through Socratic dialogue, definitional distincdoing exercises. This sets them apart from other tions, and a sort of discussion/response format,
logic courses and makes them the perfect choice the student is led through the study which
for students who want or need background includes a history of logic, propositions and
information more than practice. This series is their relationships, categorical syllogisms, and
user-friendly and requires very little prep on the ends with terms and definitions. Appendices
teacher’s part although teacher-student interac- include Venn diagrams of syllogisms as well
tion is necessary to maximize the learning. Art as an essay on handling religious, moral, and
of Argument would be the starting place for a ethical disputes. Both Student and TE include
Jr. High student followed by Argument Builder Endnotes and Glossary, and Bibliography. 324
and/or Discovery of Deduction, which can pgs. pb
stand alone or be used together.
049209 Student Text . . . . . . 26.95 21.95
Each Student Text is designed to be worked in 049210 Teacher Edition . . . 26.95 23.95
with the student thinking through and writing
~~~~~~~
out responses to the material being presented.
Teacher Editions are predominantly full-text Traditional Logic (7-AD)
answer keys but often include teacher’s notes
An introductory and systematic course in
(a list of suggestions and recommendations for formal logic that presents the concepts and
teaching the course) as well as ideas for supple- methodology in a clear, concise, and organized
menting and enriching the study. ~ Janice
way. If the course presentation and layout is
a reflection of a very logical mind, and Martin
Art of Argument (7-12)
Cothran wrote and laid out the course, then
Socrates is the “go to” person when it comes Martin Cothran has a very logical mind. While
to fallacies (occurrence of bad or incorrect rea- this may or may not be true, it is, nonethesoning) and his perspective on the three basic less, a valid argument. Written specifically
categories – fallacies of irrelevance (points for the home school environment, and for use
that don’t relate to the issue), of presumption by a teacher with no previous experience in
(assumptions that are not justified or necessary), formal logic, it seems a good candidate for a
and of clarity (language that confuses and mud- self-instructional course (provided you can offer
dies) – is sought via time-travel. Several exam- help as needed). You will want to read the
ples of each are provided plus the student has author’s notes in the front, as he suggests an
the opportunity to identify fallacies in cleverly alternate route through the book if students have
fabricated magazine advertisements. Fallacies trouble with the abstract concepts presented in
are printed on the inside covers of the Student the first three chapters. The author’s targeted
Text for easy reference. Both Student and TE grade level is high school, but it may be used
(each about 230 pgs, pb) have appendices that with “advanced” 7th and 8th graders or adults
include a play and a short story that illustrate as well. If you are using the classical approach
fallacies as well as a Glossary and Bibliography. with your children, they will probably be ready
TE includes reproducible chapter, unit, and for this course in junior high.
final exams (with answer key). DVDs include
Two levels of the course are available. Book
28 sessions (one for each fallacy) in which three I contains 14 chapters plus an introduction in
teachers and 4 students present, define, discuss the course, each with short, daily lessons. The
and explain the fallacy. As in the text, the introduction provides an excellent background
DVDs emphasize a practical application to the of logic as a methodology and science, and
student’s life through advertisements, political defines key concepts used in logic. It is really
speeches, and various moral/ethical debates.
part of the course, not just a preface. The fol051559 Student Text . . . . . . 22.95 19.95 lowing chapters introduce and provide both the
051560 Teacher Edition . . . 24.95 21.95 mental and verbal aspects of Terms (chapters
052580 DVDs . . . . . . . . . . 54.95 45.95 1-3), Propositions (chapters 4-9), and Syllogisms
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
(chapters 10-14). Each chapter is logically laid
out for a clear presentation to aid student understanding. An introduction presents the topic
of the chapter. Headings throughout the text
reveal the main points to be covered. Helpful
sidebars highlight important definitions and concepts to remember. Diagrams provide a visual
illustration of concepts. A conclusion at the
end of each chapter summarizes the content,
wrapping up the text. Following this are four
daily exercise sets. You will probably want your
child to look at the exercise instructions first,
as they also contain the reading plan for each
day. A separate booklet of quizzes and tests is
available for additional reinforcement. Answers
to these are found in the separate answer key.
Book II is to be used only after completing
Book I. It features a similar format, but also
includes optional writing assignments to allow
logic to be integrated with history, Bible, or
English. Also, more real-life, contemporary
examples of arguments are included. Case
studies are also incorporated, to show the relevance of logic in history, literature, religion,
and philosophy. The goal, after all, is for the
student to apply what he has learned in all areas
of life. Section titles include Further Study of
Simple Syllogisms (chapters 1-4), Arguments in
Ordinary Language (chapters 5-6), Hypothetical
Syllogisms (chapters 7-9), Complex Syllogisms
(chapters 10-13), the Oblique Syllogism (chapter 14), and a final review.
Video lectures are available for Books I and
II. Organized chapter by chapter, the videos let
you see and hear the author himself teach the
course. A great supplement for the student who
tends to read and re-read the same page over
and over, but just doesn’t “get it” until somebody else explains it.
Students who complete this course will have
a college level understanding of traditional
logic. As far as a comparison of this course
to Introductory Logic and Intermediate Logic,
I would just say that the approach is different,
but the content overlaps (as you would expect).
If you are considering using a logic course, I
would suggest that you look them both over to
see which is the better fit for you.
003886 Book I Text . . . . . . 29.95 24.95
018996 Book I Quizzes/Tests 5.00
4.50
003887 Book I Answer Key . . 6.95
6.45
TL1TXT Book I Text/Key Set 38.00 29.95
025391 Book I DVD . . . . . . 45.00 34.95
TDLOGI Book I Package . . . 86.90 65.95
Includes Text, Quizzes/Tests, Key & DVDs
010301 Book II Text . . . . . . 29.95 24.95
018997 Book II Quizzes/Tests 5.00
4.50
010302 Book II Answer Key . 6.95
6.45
TL2TXT Book II Text/Key Set 38.00 29.95
025393 Book II DVD . . . . . 45.00 34.95
TDLGII Book II Set . . . . . . . 86.90 65.95
Includes Text, Quizzes/Tests, Key & DVDs
Logic
681
LOGIC - SUPPLEMENTAL
DANDY LION LOGIC (K-7)
Logic and thinking skills books abound. The
problem is selecting good ones from among the
different publishers - almost every workbook
publisher has a line of them. Ideally, you gather
them all together, look at them side by side,
and pick the best. I’ve looked at several review
copies this year, but have only scratched the
surface of what’s available. Here, I’ve relied
on Cathy Duffy’s choice as described in the
Christian Home Educators Curriculum Manual
Elementary. She’s a reviewer whose opinion
I’ve come to respect and whose assessments I
generally agree with.
Material Logic (9-AD)
According to author Martin Cothran, material
logic is largely ignored in this day and age,
sometimes even by classical educators. Formal
logic, or logic which is largely concerned with
the structure of an argument, is the primary form
of logic students are now exposed to. However,
this has not always been the case. Material
logic, or the study of the content of an argument, was for many years a natural part of
the language-centered Trivium. The author is
attempting to re-establish the importance of
material logic with this series (although only
one book is available at this time, another is
planned for the future). It is designed to follow
up Memoria’s Traditional Logic books or as an
introductory logic course for high schoolers.
Material Logic takes a systematic approach to
the subject, studying the three basic divisions of
material logic: the ten modes of being, the five
predicables, and the three modes of knowledge.
The modes of being, or the ten categories of
being, are the ten ways in which something can
be described to “be.” The five predicables are
the five ways you can say something about a
thing. The modes of knowledge include definition, division, and argumentation. Material
Logic contains 15 chapters/lessons, each with
several pages of text and a handful of exercises to help the student thoroughly understand
what was covered. Lesson 1 gives an outline
of traditional logic, Lesson 2 teaches simple
apprehension, and Lesson 3 covers comprehension and extension, before the three divisions
are covered in more depth. Lessons 4-6 cover
the ten categories, Lessons 7 and 8 cover the
five predicables, and Lessons 9-13 cover “the
expression of comprehension”. Lessons 14 and
15 cover division and an analysis of “Idols of the
Mind” by Sir Francis Bacon. Several appendices
are included for extra teaching help. The textual portions of the lessons have wide margins
to mark in, and the exercises are divided by
day, with about 4-5 days worth of exercises
for each chapter. A corresponding answer key
contains answers to each of the daily exercises.
The student text and answer key are available
separately or as a set. – Jess
016874 Book I . . . . . . . . . . . 29.95 26.75
006185 Book I Answer Key . . . 1.95 1.85
MTLGTXSet (text & key) . . . . 31.90 26.50
052967 Instructional DVDs . . 45.00 38.95
MTLGST Complete Set . . . . . . 76.90 64.50
Includes text, key and DVDs.
682
Logic
Lollipop Logic (K-2)
These books practice seven different thinking skills (sequencing, relationships, analogies,
deductive reasoning, patterns, making inferences, and analysis) presented in a format
designed for the pre-reader. You may even be
able to use this book for preschool children.
Visual clues introduce and reinforce higherlevel thinking. Each book contains 52 onepage lessons, with 5 or 6 answers per activity.
Reproducible for family/classroom use. ~ Donna
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95
9.95
000419 Book 1
050537 Book 3
028519 Book 2
Primarily Logic (2-4)
Covers analogies, relationships, deductive reasoning, problem solving, and organizing information. Lots of variety and interesting activities.
000420 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95
9.95
Blast Off with Logic (3-7)
A series of three reproducible books designed
to develop logic skills in a sequential, developmental fashion. The three books increase
in levels of difficulty. The first introduces
relationships, analogies, sequencing, “all” and
“no” statements, syllogisms, if-then statements,
deduction, and inferring. The next progresses
in these skills at a deeper level, includes logical
reasoning, and introduces logical notation. The
final book builds on the foundation of the first
two books, and adds logic diagrams and logical
fallacies. You should really start your student(s)
at the beginning of this series to get the most
benefit from it, but they can progress through
it as able.
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95
9.95
000416 Logic Countdown (3-4)
000417 Logic Liftoff (4-6)
000418 Orbiting with Logic (5-7)
☼Smarty Pants Puzzles Level 1 (3-12)
Do you know the difference between deductive and inductive logic? Deductive means that
your student must draw a conclusion based on
what they know to be true, false or unknown.
Inductive reasoning requires your student to
determine, based on the evidence, what they
know with certainty to be true or false as well
as what could be true or false. They also have
to determine when they simply do not have
enough evidence to draw a conclusion. This
sounds quite serious doesn’t it? It’s sooooo
much fun! The Critical Thinking Company has
a way of making fun challenges for kids in their
workbooks. Here is a sample of one of the
scenarios: (1)Every morning Carol feeds her dog
Jakes at 7am. (2)By 7:10am, Jakes is done eating
and wants to go outside to play. (3)Jakes spend
exactly one half-hour outside before Carol lets
him back in the house. (4)Twenty minutes later
Carol leaves for school. There is a photo of a
dog digging a hole near a fence and the caption
reads, “Jakes enjoying his favorite activity.” An
information box reads: “Assume all the statements and facts in the puzzle are true. Write
whether each sentence is True/False/Unknown.
Then write the sentence number(s) and/or check
the box that provides the best evidence for each
T/F answer. There are then 5 statements that
students have to make decisions about given
the information they have. This is building their
debate and reasoning skills. Think of how helpful this would be when it comes to writing an
essay later on! You could use this in a co-op
or classroom and have kids in teams defending
their answers. Interesting discussions are sure to
follow in any dynamic! Answers are in the back.
42pp, pb ~ Sara
034924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.99
Daily BrainStarters (5-6)
A varied collection of 100 logic puzzles that
really make you think! Puzzles are divided by
level of difficulty (easy, medium, and difficult)
and are designed to help students develop
everyday problem solving skills. Includes brain
teasers, deductive reasoning exercises, math
puzzles, lateral thinking questions, story problems, Sudoku, and secret codes. Reproducible,
answers included. - Enh
045046 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.95
7.75
Daily Warm-Ups: Logic (5-8)
For those spare minutes in your school day,
try incorporating these short logic activities.
While some may require just a minute or two of
thinking, others may keep your students busy for
closer to five or ten minutes. Either way, their
minds will be stretched instead of sitting idle.
Each logic problem is written on its own page of
the half-size book, so you can easily make copies of the warm-ups for multiple students or simply write the problems on a whiteboard where
everyone can see it. Answers are included in
the back of the book. 207 pgs. – Melissa
034325 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 15.50
The Great Chocolate Caper (5-8)
This resource combines two of my favorite
things, chocolate and a good mystery! The
premise is that a brand new chocolate recipe
from a famous chocolate factory has been stolen. As you examine the evidence, your goal
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
is to narrow down the suspects and ultimately
determine the thief. Along the way, you’ll
learn logic skills such as making valid assumptions, differentiating between valid conclusions
and dangerous generalizations, using syllogisms
to reach valid conclusions, recognizing false
premises, solving matrix logic puzzles, and
more. This resource contains 9 detailed lesson
plans which include student pages and practice
puzzles. 81 pgs. ~ Anh
037993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.95 10.95
SPECIFIC SKILLS INSTRUCTION
Analogies
DANDY LION
Analogies for Beginners (1-3)
Understanding analogies is important in all
subject areas and facets of life. A major section on most standardized tests, it’s also a skill
essential to communication. This beginning
book relies on both pictorial and verbal exerLogic in 100 Minutes Workshop (5-AD)
cises to introduce analogous thinking to younger
For such a useful study, logic can be a bit students.
intimidating. This pair of workshops by two 000415 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95
9.95
homeschool graduates goes a long way toward
making the topic more understandable. A single Thinking Through Analogies (3-6)
DVD covers both Part I – Learning to Think
Next in sequence, this book presents a chalLogically and Part II – Using Your Thinking lenging array of investigations into the simiToolbox. The DVD also includes PDF files larities between two things, building vocabulary
for the workshop handouts. Originally given and critical thinking skills. All of these are word
to a roomful of students, Hans and Nathaniel analogies.
Bluedorn together present both workshops (each 000421 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95
9.95
about 50 minutes). With a wry touch of humor
and some audience interaction they examine Advancing Through Analogies (5-8)
several different types of fallacies in Part I and
More advanced analogies, to help build flexways to strengthen and train yourself to think ibility and analytical thinking.
logically in Part II. Watching a workshop video 000414 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95
9.95
is never the same as being there in person; perhaps the biggest loss is the absence of the illus- EDUCATORS PUBLISHING SERVICE
trative cartoons that were obviously a part of the
original workshop. Dilbert, Calvin & Hobbes, Primary Analogies (K-3)
and Far Side do not allow their cartoons to be
Even children without reading skills can cultiused in video presentations and I found myself vate their ability to identify and describe analoregretting that fact. Still, if you’re wanting an gous relationships with this program. Beginning
introduction to the whole subject of logic, this with picture-to-picture analogies for the nonis a good way to start.
reader, then progressing to ones using letters
038555 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.00 12.95 and numbers, then simple words, children
learn to solve and create analogies in five catFallacy Detective (Revised Ed.) (7-AD)
egories: descriptive, comparative, categorical,
This updated version includes thirty-eight les- serial, and causal. Few analogy programs are
sons (two new ones) on how to recognize bad available for this age range, especially one this
reasoning. Learn to spot errors in others’ logic, focused and systematic. The ability to perceive
and your own. The focus is on practical logic, and understand relationships and make connecsuch as fallacies you might encounter in a news- tions between objects and events is a higherpaper. Learn to identify red herrings, circular level thinking skill that can help improve underreasoning, statistical fallacies, and propaganda. standing and long-term memory. Comparing
Each lesson presents several examples of poor one thing to another, or seeing how one thing
reasoning often illustrated by cartoons and is like another is one way to help make sense of
then provides a lengthy exercise set in which the world around us. Although children at this
you identify the fallacies. This book features age will probably just consider these exercises
a Christian view of logic and was written by fun, we know they are creating pathways for
homeschoolers for homeschoolers. ~ Anh
learning that will facilitate their comprehension
046013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.00 16.95 of concepts and events in both school and life.
002904 Book 1 (K-1) . . . . . . 8.05
5.95
Thinking Toolbox (7-AD)
002905 Book 1 Key . . . . . . . 7.55
5.75
Sequel to The Fallacy Detective, this is by 002906 Book 2 (2) . . . . . . . . 8.05
5.95
the same authors. While the first book focuses 002907 Book 2 Key . . . . . . . 7.55
5.75
on recognizing bad reasoning, this book offers 002908 Book 3 (3) . . . . . . . . 9.20
6.65
thirty-five lessons for strengthening your reason- 002909 Book 3 Key . . . . . . . 7.55
5.75
ing skills. The chapters provide you with tools
for thinking, tools for opposing viewpoints, Ridgewood Analogies (4-8)
and tools for science. Within these chapters,
Solving analogies helps children learn to proyou'll find lessons on when not to argue, find- cess information, make important connections,
ing the premises and conclusion, determining identify and construct relationships and improve
primary or secondary sources, circumstantial comprehension and long-term memory. This
evidence, keen observation, brainstorming, ana- series covers the five basic types of analogies:
lyzing data, and much more. This book is for- descriptive, comparative, categorical, serial and
matted much like The Fallacy Detective, with causal. Book 1 is the introductory level. It
plenty of clear examples throughout the lessons contains pre-analogy exercises, then progresses
and lengthy exercises following each lesson. through the basic analogy types with four levels
Answers included, 234 pgs. - Melissa
of difficulty. Novice exercises introduce and
019773 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.00 16.95 describe type of analogy, provide instruction
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
and example, then practice exercises. Each of
these has six words in a box, with one analogy
shown. The student must use the other words
to construct an equivalent analogy. Apprentice
level exercises have a Word Bank from which
students pick a word to complete an analogy.
At the Masters level, students choose two words
per analogy. Super Masters analogies have just
one (or no) printed word(s) and a large Word
Bank. Students create two analogies with corresponding relationships using words from the
bank. Level 2 and 3 books are formatted similarly, with progressively more difficult vocabularies. Books 4 and 5 practice all five types of
analogies also, but in the context of different
subject areas (Geography, History/Government,
Language Arts, Math). Answer keys also contain
an explanation of analogies, with examples of
each type of relationship, and lesson notes.
EACH STUDENT WORKTEXT . 9.60
7.95
EACH ANSWER KEY . . . . . . . . 3.90
3.25
Worktext
Key
006945
Book 1 (4)
006949
006950
Book 2 (5)
006951
006953
Book 3 (6)
006954
006955
Book 4 (7)
006956
006957
Book 5 (8)
006958
Analogies (7-12)
For the serious student, this series by Educator’s
Publishing Service teaches all conceivable types
of analogies, as well as the art of selecting
the “closest” or most likely analogy and why.
Besides giving them a “leg up” on standardized
tests like the ACT and SAT, studying analogies
will help hone their analytical thinking, ability
to discriminate, and understanding of relationships between words and ideas. Gains made
here should also be reflected in higher reading
comprehension skills, increased vocabulary,
and the ability to communicate effectively.
Each book consists of three parts. Part one
presents a step-by-step approach to solving analogy problems, including strategies students can
master and use. These techniques are taught in
depth in book one of the series and reviewed
in books two and three. Part two in each book
contains 15-20 units, with each unit comprised
of 20 problems. These are the actual practice
questions. Part three is a reference section
presenting groups of 100 words, alphabetized
and defined, that represent some of the most
challenging vocabulary used in the analogies.
Separate quiz booklets are also available,
which directly correspond to the Analogy
Groups and Vocabulary Groups in the books.
Each quiz includes 20 multiple choice questions
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.50
7.75
000556 Book 1
000558 Book 3
000557 Book 2
EACH QUIZ BOOK . . . . . . . 11.80
8.75
020797 Book 1
6 analogy quizzes, 6 vocabulary quizzes
020798 Book 2
6 analogy quizzes, 6 vocabulary quizzes
020799 Book 3
4 analogy quizzes, 8 vocabulary quizzes
Logic
683
CRITICAL THINKING PRESS
Think Analogies (3-AD)
Understanding analogies benefits students not
only because they sharpen reasoning skills but
also because they are used in many assessments
and ability tests. These workbooks provide students practice with a variety of analogies. The
lessons contain several easy-to-follow examples,
along with exercises for practice. These lessons look at analogies in a number of different
ways, including classifying word pairs, classifying analogies, comparative analogies, synonym
and antonym analogies, descriptive analogies,
completing analogies, and writing your own
analogies. An analogies game and answers are
included in both levels. ~ Rachel S.
013918 Level A (3-5) . . . . . . . 11.99
013919 Level B (6+) . . . . . . . . 11.99
Think Analogy Puzzles Software (3-AD)
An interactive game in which you create the
analogies. Choose from 30 word pairs to make
15 best match analogies. Immediate feedback
is provided on whether or not you have made a
correct analogy and whether or not it is a best
match. To complete each match, you must also
identify the type of analogy it is. Once you've
mastered this game, you'll definitely know the
ins and outs of analogies. For Win/Mac ~ Anh
EACH GAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.99
017548 Level A1 (3-6)
017549 Level B1 (4-7)
017550 Level C1 (7-AD)
~~~~~~~~
Analogies for Critical Thinking Games (1-6)
These grade specific books have been designed
to improve skills in vocabulary development,
reading comprehension, reasoning, and standardized test taking through a variety of activities: multiple choice and short answer questions, analyzing analogies and writing analogies. The analogies cover a variety of curriculum
areas including math, science, social studies
and language arts. Answer keys are found in
the back of the book as well as a standardized
test format answer sheet. Reproducible for individual classroom and pages are perforated for
easy removal. ~ Deanne
EACH LEVEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
7.95
049479 Grades 1-2 049477 Grade 5
049475 Grade 3
049478 Grade 6
049476 Grade 4
Analogies (Steck-Vaughn) (2-8)
Analogies are all about relationships. Namely,
finding the relationship between two items and
applying that relationship to another setting.
These books build critical thinking and reasoning skills through several different analogy activities. Each lesson consists of a two-page activity
and gets progressively harder. In the first book
children will solve shape analogies using size,
shape, and designs; picture analogies with
picture banks, rhymes, and choosing; plus they
will complete word analogies by choosing the
correct word, connecting, and supplying either
the first, second, third, or fourth word in the
analogy. The second level utilizes synonyms,
homophones, cause and effect, describing,
grammar, numbers, groups, and uses to teach
analogies. The last book incorporates math, sci684
Logic
ence, social studies, health, and language arts
into the study of analogies. The variety of analogy activities makes children practice thinking
in different ways and keeps learning fresh and
new. Answer key included. ~ Steph
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.25
022218 Grades 2-3 022220 Grades 6-8
022219 Grades 4-5
Unlocking Analogies (2-8)
These slim workbooks offer plenty of practice
with analogies in order to help students build
their critical thinking skills as well as enhance
their vocabulary development.
Each book
features several different categories of analogies – similarities, part to whole, user to object,
synonyms, antonyms, homophones, location,
etc. An assessment is included at the beginning
which can be used before and after the workbook is completed in order to see the student’s
progress, and reviews are sprinkled throughout
the book to practice all of the types of analogies
learned thus far. The worksheets are perforated,
and answers are included. 48 pgs. – Melissa
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.50
042478 Grades 2-3 042479 Grades 4-5
042480 Middle School (6-8)
information, recognize divergent relationships,
compare and contrast, think sequentially, and
improve vocabulary. This series does a nice job
of introducing and practicing the various types
and formats of analogies. For the most part,
each book is divided into the following units:
identifying relationships, solving analogies,
analogy categories, and review and practice.
Solving analogies is taught as a 3-step process
with different types of analogies introduced, or
reviewed, at each level. Each new analogy category is presented on a page with an explanation, directions, example, and several exercises.
Review and practice pages call for analogy
completion, or less frequently just relationship
identification of the analogy types that have
already been introduced. Student books are
consumable; teacher guides contain directions
for use, supplemental activities, and answers.
EACH STUDENT BOOK . . . . . 8.95
6.95
EACH TEACHER BOOK . . . . . 4.95
3.95
Level:
Student
Teacher
Book A (3-4)
025461
025462
Practices 6 kinds of analogies: AdultYoung, Object-Description, Male-Female,
Synonym, Object-Location, and Antonym.
Book B (5-6)
025463
025464
Practices 14 kinds of analogies: the 6
from Book A plus Homonym, Part-Whole,
Worker-Tool, Worker-Place, Grammar,
Degree, Cause and Effect, and Sequence.
Book C (6-12)
009070
009071
Practices 19 kinds of analogies: the 14 from
Book B plus Object-Use, Geographical,
Part-Part, Symbol, and General Association.
Book D (6-12) 009042
009043
Practices 27 analogies: the 19 from Book C
(minus Homonyms) plus Worker-Product,
Action-Meaning, New-Old, Mythological,
Scientific, Literary, Historical, Sound
Relationships, and Letter Relationships.
Jumpstarters for Analogies (4-8)
This analogy practice book is meant to be a
warm-up for the day, introducing students to
analogy concepts and practice. Each page is
split into five sets of problems with four to five
questions each, making it easy to use one page
for each school week. Each weekly page contains a different analogy type to include vocabulary, grammar, phonics, literature, science,
geography, health, art & music, and math. All
questions have clues to the answers whether
it’s choosing a word from a list, unscrambling
a word, or multiple choice. Reproducible,
answers at the back. 46 pgs. ~ Alissa
047231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.99
6.75 Analogies (6-9)
This slim, reproducible workbook introduces
Analogy Crosswords (2-12)
students to the concept of analogies and the
As a word puzzle fan, I was excited to see many different relationships they can relay. After
these, which combine analogies with crossword explaining analogies, students complete the
puzzles. Students fill in the blanks of analogies worksheets dealing with synonyms, antonyms,
(second is to Venus as _____ is to Saturn; cause and effect, part to whole, purpose, action
ordinal is to _____ as cardinal is to quantity, to object, sequence, association, characteristics,
etc.) and use the answers to fill in crossword degree, and other analogy relationships. The
puzzles. Some of the analogies are fairly easy, pages are all multiple choice style, with 13-16
but students will find a lot of them pretty questions per sheet. Hopefully, after this book,
challenging. There are 8 analogies for every YOUR STUDENTS : ANALOGIES :: YOU :
crossword puzzle and 50 crossword puzzles in CHOCOLATE! 28 pgs.
every book. These books provide a great way 024327 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.99
3.95
to practice analogies, which also help improve
standardized testing scores and are just a lot of
Classification
fun. Answers included, 54 pgs, pb. ~ Rachel
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 11.65 Venn Perplexors (PK-AD)
047617 Level A (2-4)
As you may have guessed, this series uses
047618 Level B (4-6)
Venn Diagrams (think of two slightly overlap047619 Level C (6-8)
ping circles) to teach classification and to solve
047620 Level D (8-12)
problems. Level A focuses on the classification
of objects into sets and subsets while Levels B
Analogies (Perfection Learning) (3-12)
and C focus on problem solving. Each contains
Although analogies are present on every stan- 48 problems with easier problems at the begindardized test, there are many good reasons to ning and more difficult ones at the end. ~ Anh
practice solving analogies in addition to test EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 11.65
preparation. Despite their relatively "simple" 024190 Level A (PK-2)
format, they help sharpen a wide variety of
For both readers and non-readers. Problems
thinking skills - the ability categorize, differin the first half are illustrated, but problems
entiate between significant and insignificant
in the second half use word sets only.
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
duce younger students to the critical thinking
process. Books 1 and 2 each feature an instructional page at the beginning that demonstrates
how to use a grid chart, and the grid puzzles
that follow utilize pictures and simple words
wherever possible so beginning readers aren't
more frustrated by the sentences than they are
by the puzzles. Answer keys are included in
each book.
EACH BELOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
011293 Book 1 (PK-K)
011311 Book 2 (1-2)
000393 Verbal (K-2)
EACH BELOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.99
003026 Book 3 A1/A2) (3-6)
003035 Book 4 (A3/A4) (3-6)
003068 Book 5 (B1/B2) (7-12)
EACH BELOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.99
003088 Book 6 (B3/B4) (7-12)
003093 Book 7 (C1/C2) (7-12)
003096 Book 8 (C2/C3) (7-12)
EACH INDIVIDUAL LEVEL BELOW
6.99
Level B (6+)
Level C (8+)
Deductive Reasoning
000385 B1
000389 C1
000386 B2
000390 C2
000387 B3
000391 C3
Mind Benders (PK-AD)
Deductive reasoning at its finest. Mind 000388 B4
Benders books help students (and adults) learn
and practice deductive reasoning as they are Mind Benders Software (PK-AD)
The clue-and-grid logic puzzles you love in
presented with clues to unravel and organize in
order to reach logical conclusions. Becoming a fun new format! Just read through the clues
proficient in deductive reasoning will not only and click on the grid to mark your squares - red
improve standardized test scores, but will help for false and green for true. If you make a missharpen reasoning ability in all curriculum areas take, clearing a cell or the entire grid is a snap,
and in real life situations. As a child, I particu- much easier than paper and pencil. Hints are
larly enjoyed working these clue-and-grid type available to help you along, and should you
problems and consumed puzzle books full of need it, the solution to each puzzle is explained
them just for fun. I never gave a thought to in detail. System requirements: Windows 8/7/
their educational value. But perhaps it’s no Vista/XP/Macintosh: OS X (10.4+). ~ Anh
14.99
coincidence that I ended up a computer systems 025276 Beginning 1 (PK-K) . . . 14.99
consultant..... Anyone doing Mind Benders 025293 Beginning 2 (1-2) . . . . 15.99
for the first time should begin in the Verbal 017538 Level A1/A2 (3-6) . . . . 15.99
or Book 3 level to learn the deductive reason- 017540 Level A3/A4 (3-6) . . . . 15.99
ing process before trying the more challenging 017542 Level B1/B2 (7-12+) . . 17.99
levels. The original books are leveled A1-C3, 017543 Level B3/B4 (7-12+) . . and were out of print, but some levels are now
available again. These titles are the "individual Balance Benders (2-12)
titles," separated by A, B, and C in the chart at This series of books by Critical Thinking Co.,
the very bottom. Also available are the newer combines the creative fun of logic puzzles with
versions, which are two of the original titles basic pre-algebra skills to prepare students
contained in one book. Where the original lev- for future success in algebra. In each puzzle,
els have 14 puzzles per book, most of the new students work to keep the scales “balanced” by
versions include about 25-26. Surprisingly, the working through the mostly pictorial representanew books are about the same size (and similar tions of algebraic concepts. For example, given
price!), perhaps because they have condensed a balanced scale with a square on one side
each puzzle onto one page where originally the and a circle on the other, the following must
clues were found on one page and the grid on always be true: circle equals square, 1 square
the facing page. Puzzles spiral slightly within & 1 circle equals 2 circles, and 2 circles equals
each level and solutions are included in the 2 squares. Don’t worry if these associations
books. For each new level below, we have don’t come to mind right off the bat. Each book
noted the old versions included in parentheses. includes a set of “Balance Tips” that provide
Although the Mind Benders Verbal is consid- quick review of basic algebraic concepts necesered the introductory book in the Mind Benders sary to solve each and every one of the puzzles
series, Critical Thinking also provides two in the book. These algebra tips include the folBeginner Levels (Books 1 and 2) which intro- lowing: the symmetric property of equality and
duce deductive thinking in the format of the grid inequality, cumulative & associative properties
puzzle. While the Verbal includes questions of equality and inequality, addition & sublike "Skip likes cake better than pie. He likes traction properties of equality and inequality,
ice cream better than cake. What conclusion multiplication & division properties of equality
follows from this?" that guide the student to use and inequality, distributive property, transitive
their deductive reasoning skills, no clue and property of equality and inequality, and more.
grid puzzles are included in this book. Instead, Reproducible, solutions included, 46 perforated
Verbal contains 100 brief exercises that intro- pages. - Enh
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 001285 Beginning (2-6)
001299 Book 1 (4-12)
001353 Book 2 (6-12)
001377 Book 3 (8-12)
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Logic
024191 Level B (3-6)
Problems are based on rhymes such as Little
Boy Blue and Jack and Jill. Near the end
of the book, the student is asked to think
of objects that fit into a given classification
scheme. Pb, 56 pages, answers included.
024192 Level C (6-9)
Contains alien-themed problems. Problems
near the end ask the student to either determine a classification scheme given a diagram or to use a diagram to determine the
validity of syllogisms.
033765 Level D (9-AD)
24 students are on a trip and various numbers of them participate in activities. Solving
puzzles requires filling in all sections of
the diagram and answering the question.
Towards the end of the book, percentages of
the students are involved in activities instead
of just numbers, for extra calculations!
9.99
Crypto Mind Benders (3-12)
Are you a huge fan of solving secret codes?
These activity books practice deductive and
mathematical reasoning skills as you use the
mathematical clues provided to establish which
numbers and letters correspond to one another.
Use this key you’ve deduced to decode the
famous quote or classic joke. Each book contains 30 activity pages as well as detailed solutions. ~ Anh
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.99
026698 Famous Quotations
026699 Jokes
Perplexors (3-12)
Perplexors, like Mind Benders, are full of
deductive thinking puzzles to solve. However,
Perpelexors has discarded the grid format and
has listed each problem in columnar format
with each possibility listed under each subject, allowing the student to cross off the ones
that don't work out, and leave them with the
information that they need in easily accessible
format. Each page features the problem, the
column setup, and a series of clues to use to
solve the puzzle. Each book features 48 deductive thinking puzzles, all age-appropriate to its
suggested grade levels. Each book progresses
in complexity, adding more categories and
more people or objects from about three to
four subjects and two to four categories in the
basic level, to five or more subjects and up to
nine categories in the expert level. Compared
to Mind Benders, these start out at a more
advanced level, so a bit of explanation about
the process of elimination and deductive reasoning might be necessary for some children. Each
book does begin with an example puzzle and a
clearly written explanation of how to solve it.
A challenging deductive reasoning problem is
enjoyable for most kids - and gives other parts
of the brain a chance to get exercised during the
school day. Additional challenges are available
in the More Perplexors books; these follow the
same format as the original Perplexors but provide different puzzles. Answers included. - Jess
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 11.65
Original
☼More
Basic Level (3-4)
029668
014567
Level A (4-5)
029670
014579
Level B (5-6)
029671
014581
Level C (6-7)
029672
014589
Level D (7-9)
029673
014591
Expert Level (9-12) 029669
014570
685
Visual Mind Benders (7-12)
At the most basic level, these are visual pattern puzzles. In the Level B book, for instance,
each puzzle involves 3 figures (triangle, square,
circle), 3 shades (black, white, gray), and 3
locations (left, middle, right). Each puzzle solution must contain at least one triangle, circle,
and square. By applying your deductive reasoning skills to the clues provided, you solve the
puzzle by determining the location and shade
of each figure. There may be more than one
possible solution and you have to find them all.
In Level C, an additional figure, the hexagon,
and a new shade are introduced into the mix.
I was surprised at how challenging it can be to
keep track of the possible solutions and eliminate possibilities in your head. To make things
easier, however, the good people at Critical
Thinking provide a reproducible page of figures
you can cut out and actually put on the solution slots as you work through a puzzle. 30 pgs
each. ~ Anh
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.99
021813 Level B (7-9)
021814 Level C (10-12)
Grid Perplexors (3-AD)
How’s this for a perplexing puzzle? In
“Mice Ahoy,” three mice decide to test their
sea legs. Each mouse boards a different ship,
and each voyage lasts a different number of
days. Afterwards, the mice decide that they
are not cut out for sailing because of various
ailments. Using the information provided in
the story along with some additional clues,
can you determine which mouse boarded what
ship, for how long, and why he quit sailing? A
grid is provided for you to organize, track, and
eliminate possibilities until you are left with the
correct solution. Each book is packed with 50
logic puzzles. What an entertaining way to
sharpen your deductive reasoning skills! ~ Anh
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 11.65
037162 ☼Basic (3+) 003512 Level C (5-6)
003490 Level A (3-4) 003517 Level D (7+)
003496 Level B (4-5) 037185 ☼Expert (7+)
Logic Safari Books (2-6)
These deductive reasoning books from Dandy
Lion require the student to use the clues to figure out who does what in each scenario. For
example, Tom, Tim and Tinney are celebrating
their birthdays. Your challenge is to figure out
from the clues who celebrates by going to the
skating rink, which one takes his birthday to the
golf course, and who goes to the pizza parlor.
Grids are given to help you easily analyze the
clues and figure out the correct solution. There
are 29 lessons with answers included. Books 2
and 3 progress in difficulty. ~ Genevieve
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.95
7.95
013920 Book 1 (2-3) 013922 Book 3 (5-6)
013921 Book 2 (3-4)
Red Herring Mysteries (4-12)
Get your children thinking “out of the box”
with these books of sparker situations from
the Critical Thinking Company. A seemingly
strange or incongruous scenario is set in a brief
story. Students must then make inferences,
use deduction, develop lines of reasoning,
think creatively, and look beyond the obvious
to figure out a solution or reason that makes
sense. Students ask teachers/parents yes or no
questions about the story to try and figure out
exactly what happened. The books progress in
difficulty (both between and within books) and
are self-contained with usage tips, reproducible
graphic organizers, stories, and solutions all in
one neat little book. Students keep track of their
clues until they are finally able to come up with
the correct solution. This series provides a great
way to show students how to solve mysteries
or problems through critical questioning. Books
about 70 pgs, pb.
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.99
001775 Level 1(4-6) 001796 Level 2(7-12)
Spider Island - Logic CD-ROM (6-AD)
As you make your way through each maze,
watch out for the logic spiders! They're hungry,
speedy, and determined to stop you. To safely
pass a spider, you must correctly answer its
multiple choice word problem. If you get the
problem wrong, the spider leaves a sticky web
and you'll have to find another way out. There
are 116 logic problems in all, and players can
choose the size of the maze and even customize
their character. Sharpens deductive reasoning,
spatial reasoning, conditional reasoning and
reading comprehension skills. Windows 7/
Vista/XP Mac OS X (10.4+). ~ Anh
055162 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99
Detective Club: Mysteries for Young Thinkers (2-4)
Introduce students to logic puzzles and deductive reasoning with this reproducible book. The
book begins with several short grid puzzles and
then progresses to six multi-puzzle mysteries.
The “Lost Backpack,” “Mystery Valentine,” and
“Willie’s Wallet” are some of the mysteries to
solve. The logic puzzles consist of a variety of
puzzle types, including decoding messages, grid
puzzles, list-making (and sorting), and making
inferences from story problems. The puzzles are Spider Island Riddles I Software (K-3)
enhanced by attractive graphics, and a comple- 059058 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99
tion certificate, solutions, and teaching suggestions are included. 64 pgs, pb. ~ Lisa
Solving Riddles
047890 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.95 10.95
Dr. DooRiddles (PK-7)
Here’s one for you. I’m educational for sure. I
improve vocabulary and reasoning. But I’m fun
as well, and I promote grins and laughing. What
am I? Dr. DooRiddles, of course! These rhyming
riddles provide students with essential skills for
good reading and thinking. Students carefully
look for clues in each riddle, mentally connecting clues to figure out what is being described.
Each book contains 120-160 riddles and, thankfully, the answers. ~ Rachel S.
686
Logic
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
016244 Bk A1 (PK-2)
031767 Bk A2 (PK-2) 016245 Bk B1 (4-7)
031768 Bk A3 (2-3) 031769 Bk B2 (4-7)
Visual Discrimination & Patterns
Thinker Doodles (PK-4)
Part visual discrimination puzzle, part following directions, these fun books ask students to
complete partial pictures. The books features
several completed pictures and a matching
number of incomplete ones. Each object on
each page is the same, but there are small differences in colors and features. By closely comparing the incomplete pictures, students should
be able to figure out which one matches which
complete one, and then color them to match. In
the beginning level, the pictures are large and
simple, and the differences are pretty easy to
see. A1 adds more complex objects and introduces letters and numbers to the pictures. The
Half 'n Half books takes completing pictures to
a whole new level. Each page contains a complete half of an animal’s face or body matched
up to an incomplete half. The student must
complete the other half, using the incomplete
markings as guides. Level A1 starts with animal
faces and works up to an entire front view of an
animal body. Level B1 focuses on front views of
the body and moves on to both the front AND
back view of an animal, using only the guide
dots and markings to help them match up to the
other half. Although these seem like they belong
in the art/drawing section, visual discrimination
is key in completing the pictures. 44 pgs. - Jess
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.99
011650 Beginning (PK) 012006 A1 (K-1)
011595 Half 'n Half Animals A1 (K-1)
011605 Half 'n Half Animals B1 (2-4)
How Would That Look? (1-6)
Designed to develop visual discernment,
creative thinking skills and problem solving,
this easy to use book contains 105 stand-alone
activities for elementary and younger middle
students. The activities are designed to take 5-10
minutes each and include suggested solutions
for additional guidance. One example states:
“A father and his young son went walking in
the snow. They left tracks that you can see from
above. How would that look?” Children would
draw what they believe this would appear from
above-while thinking through the facets of shoe
size, stride and the idea of walking together. A
suggested solution is shown. What a neat, userfriendly resource for developing critical thinking
skills! 41pgs, pb ~ Deanne
054459 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.00 10.95
Improving Visual Memory (3-6)
Have you ever played the game where someone has a tray full of objects and then takes
one away and you have to remember what it
was? This book is like that, only with engaging
line-drawn pictures concocting different scenes
- maybe a teacher and a classroom of students,
a downtown area, a playground, a picnic, or a
storefront. Students receive 3 minutes in which
to study the picture, then they must flip it over
and try to answer all 10 questions on back.
Skills include deriving meaning from pictures
and signs and recalling specific details. Each
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
book contains 22 reproducible activities on
PRACTICE & REINFORCEMENT
perforated pages, answers included. ~ Megan
VARIETY / MIXED SKILLS
009581 Book 1 (3-4) . . . . . . 7.99
6.50
(commonly referred to as "puzzle" books)
009593 Book 2 (5-6) . . . . . . 7.99
6.50
009604 2-Book Set . . . . . . . 15.98 12.75 Mom’s Pocket Posh: 100 Games & Puzzles
(PK-7)
Logic Links (1-AD)
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.95
Arrange colored chips according to the clues 057353 4-6 year olds
provided to solve each puzzle. Logic Link clues 057354 7-12 year olds
are somewhat general, i.e. "each white chip is
directly between two chips of the same color,"
making these puzzles a little more difficult to
solve. Solutions to Level A puzzles are singlerow arrangements, with double-rows for Level
B. Books includes 48 punch-out colored chips
and 100 puzzles. Great for tactile learners! - Anh
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 11.65
024187 Level A (1-2) 031138 Level C (5-7)
024188 Level B (3-4) 031139 Level D (7-AD)
☼My First Codes & Puzzles Little Busy Book
Logic Links Puzzle Box (3-AD)
(1-2)
They're the Logic Link Puzzles kids love but With the help of fun word searches, crossword
a more game-like form! This set includes 166 puzzles, and riddles, you’ll find that it’s never
puzzles at various levels and 32 small plastic, too early to begin developing a child’s deduccolored game chips. Each puzzle is presented tive reasoning and critical thinking skills! The
on a 5" x 5" puzzle card and uses a series of perforated grayscale pages and sturdy cardboard
clues to instruct a player where to place chips to back of this book make it easy to take some – or
solve the puzzle, requiring deductive reasoning all – of these 48 puzzles on the go. Please note
and determination. The cards are double-sided, that there is no answer key. – Rachel
with a puzzle on both sides, and while outlines 030265 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.99
2.50
show where to place the game chips, instructions tell where to put specific colors (i.e. the Usborne Wipe-Clean Activity Cards (1-AD)
green chip is adjacent to the yellow chip, the
What an astounding variety of puzzles and
red chip touches only yellow chips, the topmost games! These large, colorfully illustrated activchip touches the blue chip, etc.). Beginner puz- ity cards are fun to do and easy to share among
zles form a single row of chips and usually have siblings! Your children can take turns solving
two clues; intermediate puzzles form a rectangle most of the puzzles, seeing who’s the fastest!
and require 4-6 clues; advanced puzzles form a The activities are reusable since the cards are
square of three rows and usually have 7-8 clues; dry erase and you can easily wipe them clean
and expert puzzles form a circle of chips, with with a simple facial tissue. Each set of activity
5-8 clues. Cards are color-coded by difficulty cards contains 50 cards (4.5” x 6.125”). There
and the game is stored in a cardboard box. are roughly 45 double-sided activity cards and 5
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
answer cards in each set. One black wipe-clean
017152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 11.65 pen is also included. Hours of portable entertainment for long car rides or plane trips! ~ Anh
Spatial Reasoning
EACH SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
8.99
044090 50 Brain Games
Spatial Reasoning Puzzles That Make Kids
Mixed bag of logic puzzles, visual-spatial
Think (6-8)
puzzles, critical thinking puzzles, and word
Enrich your child’s day with a puzzle workpuzzles.
book that makes them think! There are 4 types 031728 Brain Puzzles
of puzzles and they are quite challenging:
This puzzle variety pack features "spot the
Slitherlink, Hashiwokakero, Masyu and Yajilin.
difference" puzzles, riddles, mazes, logic,
The puzzle concepts are explained and there are
number puzzles, codes and more.
examples to follow. Then kids have a chance to 052636 Logic Puzzles
create their own puzzles in these styles. A great
Clue-grid puzzles, secret codes, pattern and
activity for both small groups and individuals.
sequencing predictions, and more.
Solutions are in the back and there are 2-3 052640 Word Puzzles
puzzles per page. 145 pgs, pb. ~ Sara
Crosswords, word searches, and more.
053684 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.95 13.95
Mindtrap® Puzzles (2-6)
Word Puzzles
Much like the game, these Mindtrap® based
puzzles will test your ability to think outside the
Creative Thinking Puzzlers (3-12)
box. In the Lateral puzzle book, you join forces
Develop flexible problem-solving skills with with Detective Shadow against the likes of Sid
fun word games - word morphs, codeword Shady and Sam Sham. Besides murder mysterclusters, secret word puzzles, telephone code ies, this book also includes brainteasers and
puzzles, DooRiddles, shape puzzles, and line puzzles based on historical trivia. The Tricky
puzzles. Great as warm-up, extra credit, or puzzle book is also a Detective Shadow book,
reward activities. 45 pgs. ~ Anh
but it contains brainteasers, trick questions, and
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99 optical illusions. Full-color, 96 pgs. ~ Anh
020681 Level A (3-5) 020683 Level C (9-12) EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.95
5.50
020682 Level B (6-8)
011143 Lateral
011150 Tricky
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Brain Games for Kids (3-7)
Time to sharpen your pencils and warm
up your noodle! Your kids will be occupied
for hours with the puzzles in these books…
And they will be building their reasoning and
problem-solving skills without even realizing it.
These books contain crosswords, mazes, and
picture puzzles galore! Each book is ordered
from least difficult at the front to most difficult
at the back, so your budding logic students
can skip straight to the ones that’ll challenge
them the most. Amazing Brain Builder Puzzles
includes answers on the back of every page and
has a standard paperback binding (it’s a portraitoriented book, so to turn the page you flip it up),
while the other two books save the answers for
the back and are wirebound. – Chad
EACH BOOK (except noted) 11.98
8.95
054388 Brain Games for Kids
054389 Brain Games for Kids #2
032650 Brain Games Kids #3
054390 Amazing Brain Builder Puzzles . . . . . . . . . 14.98
9.95
032651 Brain Games Kids Word Search
058818 ☼Get Your Brain in Gear!
058822 ☼Picture Puzzles
Brain Builders (5-AD)
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
5.95
057550 Numbers
057552 Sequences
057551 Patterns
057553 Shapes
Sit & Solve Puzzles (5-AD)
These small, 96-page puzzle books are compact enough to fit into a purse, large pocket or
backpack for on-the-go puzzling anywhere. All
books feature one puzzle per page with answers
in the back. Boggle® Puzzles consist of a 4x4
grid of letters, with a list of how many 5-, 6-, 7-,
or 8-letter words are hidden within. Words may
be any direction! 60 puzzles. Boggle® Logic
puzzles are like Boggle® backwards! You’re
given a list of words and a partial letter grid.
Your job is to use the words to figure out which
letter belongs to which blank cube on the grid.
72 puzzles in all. Finally, Easy Sudoku contains
60 sudoku puzzles for novice puzzlers.
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.95
4.50
053707 Boggle®
055051 Boggle® Logic
053708 Easy Sudoku
Code Crackers Series (5-9)
Best friends Sam and Lisa are adventure
magnets. Wherever they go, mystery seems to
follow! To advance through these entertaining
choose-your-own-adventure stories, you will
need to complete a variety of tasks – interpret
maps, decode secret messages, complete logic
puzzles, and more. These stories will definitely
keep your brain actively engaged and thinking
while you read. Each book is approximately
125 pages with half of the book dedicated to
the story and half dedicated to puzzles. You
may want to note that these books were originally printed in the U.K. and contain British
terminology (like "car park" and "torch") and are
a bit edgy in places (Trapdoor features a large,
spider-like creature that amply fills out a bikini
top and some wicked looking elves). ~ Anh
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.99
4.95
031568 Trapdoor to Treachery
031579 Voyage to Victory
Logic
687
☼Noggin Workshops (7-AD)
Exercise your brain with Noggin Workshop
cards! From logic puzzles to word puzzles,
from geometry riddles to sequence puzzles,
each deck will challenge your thinking in a
different way. Brain Bending Conundrums challenges you to solve riddles and mysteries. Word
Mixers contains word puzzles. Picture Problems
features visual, geometric puzzles. IQ Squares
requires visual and deductive reasoning to solve
an eclectic mix of puzzle types. Each deck has
65 colorful cards. For one or more players.
EACH SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.99
7.50
036672 Brain Bending Conundrums
036755 IQ Squares
036778 Picture Problems
036782 Word Mixers
☼Brain Workout: Use It or Lose It (5-AD)
Exercise your brain with this challenging
puzzle book. It contains over 90 puzzles that
test a variety of skills: visual, numbers, logic,
reading comprehension, words, and memory.
The puzzles are divided into three levels (beginners, intermediate, and advanced) as you progress through the book. Some examples of the
puzzles are: mental manipulation of tiles to form
images; studying words lists to see how many
you can recall a minute later; rearranging numbers and operational signs to arrive at an equation; and redrawing a picture from memory.
Also included are several mixed puzzles with
brief brainteasers (ie., “Using a phone keypad
to convert letters to digits, what is the mathematical results of CAT + DOG?”). Solutions
included. 192 pgs, pb. ~ Lisa
032230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
6.50
PRACTICE & REINFORCEMENT
- SPECIFIC SKILLS
Grid Puzzles
Instant IQ Test Kits (6-AD)
057006 Adult Edition . . . . . 13.50
057007 Jr. Edition . . . . . . . 13.50
057008 Mini IQ Test Kit . . . . 8.00
11.75
11.75
7.25
Self-Scoring IQ Tests (7-AD)
Have you ever wondered what your IQ
is? These cognitive tests will give you a general idea. There are two cognitive tests: each
includes a verbal, number and spatial test composed of 50 questions, each to be answered
in 30 minutes or less. The first cognitive test
includes practice tests with examples to be
done at your own speed. The verbal portions
are comprised of analogies, similarities, comprehension, links, opposites, and odd ones out.
Number tests include equations, targets, series,
double rows, pies, matrices, and midterms.
Answers follow the tests, with an explanation
of how to determine your IQ based on how
you did on one or both tests. This is a no frills
book, but it can lead to some interesting selfdiscovery. ~ Alissa
053732 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.95
3.25
Challenging Logic Puzzles (7+)
They weren’t kidding when they named
this book! These logic puzzles are definitely
Mensa-worthy brainteasers. Many of the puzzles
deal with determining order, as in a seating
arrangement, the order of ingredients added
to a potion, or the sequence of events in a
nightmare, for example. Other puzzles require
using clues to correctly matching up columns,
such as linking first names with last names and
an occupation. Although these sound just like
clue-grid puzzles, these are much more difficult
because you aren’t provided with a rubric to
help organize and eliminate possibilities. 67
puzzles. ~ Anh
011105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.95
5.50
688
Logic
Logic Puzzles to Bend Your Brain (3-AD)
If you can’t get enough of deductive reasoning
puzzles like Mindbenders, check out the logic
puzzles in this collection. This book contains
64 logic puzzles, most of them grid-and-clue
problems. The story problems covered in the
puzzles are fun and varied and include topics
such as school, sports, animals, ice cream, parties, and books. The back of the book contains
a handy puzzles/skills chart index so you can
select puzzles according to specific skills being
practiced. Some examples of skills that you can
develop while doing the puzzles are averaging,
fractions, comparing data, more than/less than,
graphs/charts, measurements, sorting, miles per
hour, and more. Solutions included. 94 pgs,
pb. ~ Lisa
047901 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.95
5.50
Puzzle Baron’s Logic Puzzles (7-AD)
Deductive reasoning is a pretty good skill to
keep sharp. That’s why this book offers 200
grid-based logic puzzles, with clues to help you
figure out which teacher has which pet, which
king ruled during which era, and who wore
what dress shoes to the party. The clues are
just enough to solve the puzzle, and there’s only
one right solution. Work your way out from the
known, deduce the rest, and try to beat the average time listed on the page! ~ Mark
036803 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.95 10.95
Deductive Reasoning - Sudoku & Kakuro
Puzzles
☼Large Print Sudoku Volumes 1-4 (8-AD)
This is a Sudoku-lover’s dream! This set of four
books features over 300 Sudoku puzzles in all!
There are 80 in each book, grouped by difficulty
level (easy, medium, and hard). The large print
is not only easy on the eyes, but it also means
that there is plenty of space in each box to make
little notes of which numbers may fit before you
commit to just one. Answers for each puzzle are
provided in the back. Each volume is 96 pages,
soft cover. – Rachel
008063 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.96
4.95
First Sudoku Book (3-7)
There are a lot of Sudoku books on the market;
however, this one is geared towards children
from ages 8-13. It contains 48 puzzles with
interesting illustrations for hours of fun. No math
skills are needed, just reasoning and logic. The
first 24 puzzles use the numbers 1-4, and the
remaining 24 puzzles use the numbers 1-9. The
instructions are at the front of the book to get
you started, and the solutions are at the back.
64 pgs, pb. - Stephanie A.
021537 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.95
3.50
Sudoku Puzzles for Kids (3-8)
This is a great book of Sudoku puzzles for kids.
Included are 55 puzzles that have 6x6 grids
instead of the traditional 9x9. These smaller
grids are perfect for beginners, since kids only
have to fill in numbers 1-6 (instead of 1-9). After
these beginning puzzles, 22 standard 9x9 sudokus are provided, for a total of 77 puzzles in the
entire book. This is a great way to introduce kids
to these popular puzzles. Answers are included
in the back of the book. 96 pgs, pb.
041709 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.95
4.25
Mensa Absolutely Nasty Sudoku (5-AD)
If you are finding those “Advanced” newspaper sudokus ridiculously easy, it’s time to ramp
it up! This is NOT a book for the beginner.
Beginning with challenging, the books increase
in difficulty through the levels.
Level #1
requires only basic and intermediate techniques
to solve; Levels 2 and 3 add more advanced
techniques; by Level 4, puzzles require multiple advanced techniques. However, these
are all solvable by logic puzzles; none of them
requires guessing to complete. So, after cutting your teeth in Mastering Sudoku Week by
Week, you can practice some pencil-biting in
this series. All answers are included in the back
of the book.
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
5.95
043129 Level 1
043131 Level 3
043130 Level 2
043132 Level 4
☼Puzzlewright Guide to Solving Sudoku:
Hundreds of Puzzles Plus Techniques to Help
You Crack Them All (5-AD)
I became addicted to Sudoku many years ago,
and I enjoy doing the most challenging puzzles.
For those of you who think it looks interesting
but don’t know how to get started, this is perfect. This is even great for those of us who do
the puzzles and want a refresher in the terminology and strategy for solving even the toughest
puzzles. This book is divided into chapters that
systematically take you through strategies that
help you understand the logic of Sudoku and
solving the puzzles – one-choice, scanning,
elimination, subsets, interaction, candidate-free
solving, x-wing, Gordonian logic, forcing chains
and grid coloring, and bilocation and bivalue
graphs. This book shares the history of Sudoku
and offers 800 puzzles to be solved using the
different strategies – oh yes, and the answers.
The puzzles in this book are among the best
by Frank Longo, author of the Absolutely Nasty
Sudoku series (these aren’t your supermarket
Sudoku books). Take your puzzling to the next
level with this 270-page tutorial for Sudoku –
the puzzle craze for today. ~ Donna
034201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.95 12.25
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
choice and yes/no) to provide clues. The mysteries vary in difficulty, but all of them require
analysis of both the text and the pictures to solve
the mystery. A great way to sharpen your observation and visual discrimination skills! Solutions
included. 78 pgs, pb. ~ Lisa
044065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.95
7.50
Tricky Tridoku (5-AD)
057558 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
5.95
Karate Kakuro (150 Puzzles) (3-AD)
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
5.95
057559 White Belt 057554 Brown Belt
057556 Green Belt 057548 Black Belt
☼Kids’ Kakuro Puzzles (4-12)
Also known as “cross sums,” this Japanese
number puzzle is like a combination between a
crossword and sudoku. Forty-eight pages of puzzles improve math skills like logic and deductive
reasoning, while instruction and answer sections come in handy for those who have never
tried kakuro (or even heard of it!) – Rachel
001542 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.95
4.95
Kooky Kakuro Puzzles (9-AD)
Part Sudoko, part crossword puzzle, Kakuro
uses a combination of logic and basic arithmetic. Here’s how to solve a Kakuro puzzle. The
goal is to fill all the empty squares on the grid
using the numbers 1-9 so that the sum of each
horizontal set of digits equals the number in the
black triangle to the left, and the sum of each
vertical set of digits equals the number in the
black triangle above it. No number may be used
in the same sum more than once. You will flex
your mental muscles as you experiment with different number combinations. This book contains
93 puzzles at three difficulty levels. The puzzles
are of varied shapes and sizes, including diamonds, hearts, crosses, circles, and squares.
The beginning of the book walks you through
a sample puzzle. Answers for the rest of the
puzzles are in the back. Spiral. ~ Lisa
004181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.95
6.95
Deductive Reasoning - Whodunits / MiniMysteries
WhoDunit Puzzles (5-10)
Can your youngster figure out who stole the
midterm exams at Riddle Middle School? And,
while he’s at it, solve the other 18 puzzles given
here? Wide-ranging thinking skills are tapped in
resolving various situations that crop up at the
junior high. Brainteasers and logic problems
mix with deductive reasoning to give your child
an intriguing and challenging mental workout.
043139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
5.95
Crime Scene Whodunits (5-AD)
Are you smarter than the criminals in this
mystery book? If so, you should have no trouble
helping Dr. Quicksolve catch the responsible
parties for these various crimes committed
around town. Twenty-two short stories provide
you with all the information you need to accuse
the right people - if you are insightful enough
to read between the lines. Just in case you get
stuck, the answers are in the back of the book.
Although the reading level is 5th grade and up,
there are several more unsavory cases that may
be more appropriate for older readers.
034166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.95
5.50
Whodunit Mysteries (A Little Giant Bk) (5-AD)
034236 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.95
5.50
Two-Minute Mysteries (4-AD)
No Sherlock Holmes here. Meet Dr. Haledjian,
a famous detective who catches unnoticed
details and can see through any witness’s tale to
determine the truth and bring the real criminals
to justice. Each of the seventy-nine cases only
takes a minute or two to read; but trying to solve
the case can take a few minutes of investigation
as you think through all the details described to
Dr. Haledjian. Even after a few minutes, you
might reach a conclusion as to “whodunit,” but
you might have to check to see if your detective skills are on the mark. Lucky for you, Dr.
Haledjian has solved the case in a matter of
seconds, and his accurate conclusion is printed
upside-down so you can easily check to see if
you were right. Trust me, these cases aren’t so
easy! I’ve tried my hand at several of them and
they are pretty tricky. These cases are a great
way to work on reading comprehension, critical
thinking, and deductive reasoning. Are you
ready to match wits with a professional detective? Time to find out if you are a modern day
Sherlock or Watson! 158 pgs, pb. – elise
034045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.99
4.95
Challenging Whodunit Puzzles (1-9)
This collection of whodunit mysteries takes
the reader along with Dr. Quicksolve as he
names suspects, accuses murderers, finds murder weapons, and disproves wild stories. You
have to be quick - and an attentive reader - to
catch these clues! 42 short mysteries are
included here, (with solutions, in case you get
stuck). Some are more difficult to solve than
others, but don’t give up! Otherwise, you’ll
look at the solution, smack your head and wonder “why didn’t I think of that? I knew that!” Five-Minute Mysteries (8-AD)
96 pgs. ~ Jess
This popular series for armchair detectives
025644 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.95
5.50 serves up enough devious mysteries to keep
your brain spinning for days! Each book feaYou’re the Detective (4-AD)
tures 40 mysteries, each several pages in length.
Put your sleuthing skills to the test with the 24 The characters and crimes differ from mystery to
mysteries in this book. Each two-page spread mystery, but all share a need to be read through
contains a black and white illustration, a narra- with a mental magnifying glass. Tougher than
tive setting the scene and explaining the mystery many of the mini-mysteries in this section, these
to be solved, and questions (some multiple stories feature well-planted clues that require
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
keen observation and a deep pool of knowledge
to solve. I tried to briefly solve several in Even
More Five Minute Mysteries before writing this
description, and even though I’m usually good
at these, I have to admit I was on the wrong
track entirely! pb. - Jess
008415 5-Minute Mysteries . . 9.95
7.50
008396 Even More... . . . . . . . 8.95
6.75
043551 Further... . . . . . . . . . 8.95
6.75
One Hour Mysteries (4-8)
These reproducible workbooks each contain
five mysteries to solve. Unlike many other whodunit books, there are multiple steps students
must take to solve the mysteries. Skills include
deductive reasoning, inferring, taking notes,
organizing data, and analyzing evidence. Each
mystery includes a teacher section, which has
clues and other directions for teachers to read
to students. Students listen to the clues, read
the mystery on the student pages, fill out forms,
and use various forensic techniques to solve
the puzzles. The entire process takes about an
hour per mystery. All the books follow the same
format but have different mysteries. Mysteries
in the first book involve a missing tiara, Santa,
and the mall among others while the second
book includes a stolen will, a dog-napping,
and a hoax. The third book is slightly different
than the others, as it provides some additional
material. Before students delve into the mysteries, they attend “Private Eye School,” which is
basically just a few teacher-aided activities to
get them thinking outside the box and familiar
with detective vocabulary and thinking. It also
provides directions for students to write their
own mysteries, create logic puzzles, and sketch
their crime scene. Then they are ready to tackle
the five mysteries including a pizza delivery
gone wrong, vandalism and even a train robbery! Solving the mysteries is a lot of fun and
helps students build valuable skills. By Mary
Ann Carr; the first two have 64 pages and the
third has 112; pb. ~ Rachel
EACH BOOK (exc noted) . . . 12.95
9.95
040989 One Hour Mysteries
040988 More One Hour Mysteries
033073 Private Eye School: More One-Hour Mysteries 14.95 10.95
Manipulation / Tactile
Smart Snips (2-6)
Learning with scissors? Better than running
with them! Students creatively cut their way
into some pretty impressive thinking activities.
They will certainly learn more about following
directions. Students are given a two page reproducible. One page has the directions; the other
has the activity to cut. It is suggested that you
make a copy of the cutting page in case a child
wants to do it again. Your hands-on learners
will appreciate the chance to do something with
those hands! Along with cutting, kids are asked
to sort and organize, make pairs, solve codes,
make games, infer and interpret. It’s a fun
diversion from the regular type of workbooks
and would be something to try with a child
who likes crafts or seems to dislike work-time.
Cutting helps develop fine motor skills to help
kids with their handwriting as well. ~ Sara
054461 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.00 12.95
Logic
689
Tangrams - 330 Puzzles (3-AD)
A selection of the best Oriental and American
tangram problems. Range in difficulty from easy
to almost frustrating. Solutions (thankfully) are
included.
010885 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
6.75
Matchstick Puzzles (5-AD)
This very colorful book probably contains
every matchstick puzzle known to man (or
woman). Easy, medium and hard puzzles are
mixed throughout, accompanied by vintage
match box images (including Elvis and Lassie!),
many from other countries. Solutions to all the
puzzles are in the back. Sometimes, it’s okay to
play with matches!
043126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
5.95
Word Puzzles
Brain Games for Word Nerds (5-AD)
Do you love the challenge of word puzzles?
Then this is the book for you. With almost
60 word puzzles including anagrams, unique
twists on crosswords, and fill-in-the-blanks, this
book will keep you occupied. All answers are
in the back, which you may need on occasion
because the puzzles are far from simple. Stretch
your mind with these brain games! Pb, 128 pgs.
~ Alissa
053702 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.95
5.95
Unolingo: 100 Crosswords w/out Clues (5-AD)
057355 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.95
Code Cracking
Be a Codebreaker! Mystery Messages to Puzzle
Over and Decipher (5-AD)
058672 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.00 11.75
Lateral Thinking
☼Awesome Book of One-Minute Mysteries
and Brain Teasers (5-AD)
Think outside the box and
sharpen your creative thinking skills! This book contains
100 fun puzzles for you to
solve. Each puzzle consists of
a short one-paragraph mystery. For example, puzzle
#58, “Dietary Restrictions”,
reads: “Even though Carrie
is hungry and loves the taste of her meal, she
doesn’t finish it. She isn’t in a hurry and isn’t on
a diet, so what is going on?” To help you along,
a “clues” section in the back of the book lists
three to five clues for each mystery. The clues
for puzzle #58 are: “Carrie wants to eat more
of her meal. She has no health-related reason
for not finishing her meal. She isn’t refraining
because of present company. She doesn’t plan
on saving the leftovers. Carrie wants something
even more than the rest of her meal.” Have you
figured out the answer? “Carrie wants to save
room for dessert!” Of course, these puzzles can
be worked on as a solo endeavor, but families
might enjoy working in teams to tackle the
toughies. Humorous cartoons accompany the
puzzles, and solutions are provided if you get
stuck. From Christian publisher Harvest House.
174 pgs, pb. ~ Lisa
032216 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
7.95
690
Logic
PRACTICE & REINFORCEMENT
PUZZLES & GAMES
Note: Puzzles are grouped according to
primary skill, though many include other
thinking/logic skills as well.
Flexi Cube: Bendy, Stretchy 3-D Puzzle (3-AD)
057021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
7.75
Unhinged (3-AD)
A very unique puzzle for sure. Like the name
says, the pieces rotate upon hinges in various
Physical Manipulation - Simple
fashions to fit into a specific shape. Your goal is
to manipulate the hexagonal pieces to the speciIQ Twist (2-AD)
fications of the 40 challenges in 4 levels of difThere are so many puzzle games around, it’s ficulty. Yet another great puzzle to pick up and
difficult to find one that stands out from the go with whenever you have a spare moment!
pack. IQ Twist differs from the rest in several 051026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.99 11.50
regards – its simplicity, its small size, and its
originality. To play, you decide which of the Brainbusting Metal Set (6 pieces) (3-AD)
100 puzzles you want to do, and fit pegs into 058871 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.99 10.95
the board to match that puzzle. Then you try to
fit all the twisty puzzle pieces onto the board ☼Flexi Puzzle Cube (4-AD)
and over the pegs – matching the color of the
A simple, portable 3D puzzle. Each colorful
piece to the peg it fits over, of course. Each plastic square is connected to the next by an
puzzle has only one solution, making some of elastic string and hollowed out on several sides,
them downright impossible. An excellent travel allowing it to twist and turn in order to reshape
game, and a great way to boost IQ and spatial the structure. The goal is to manipulate each
reasoning. ~ Mark
segment to fit the picture in each challenge.
027746 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04 This simple to understand puzzle is a great fidgeting toy, with 80 puzzles to keep your hands
☼Puzzling Professors Puzzles for Kids (3-AD) occupied.
Be perplexed! This set has four metal ring-and- 031965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.25
shape puzzles to stump you. The first puzzle
is the Baffler: you’ll have to learn the trick to
assembling and reassembling it… both ways.
Physical Manipulation - Sliding / Moving
Watch out for the dead end in the Muddler.
In the Sizzler, only two moves are needed.
(The question is, which two?). The Egghead RUSH HOUR PUZZLES
is impossibly possible! The claim is that kids
can solve these more easily than adults can. Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Game (1-AD)
Consider that a challenge!
Traffic jams have been called a great many
008263 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.99 12.50 things - inconveniences, frustrations, and major
aggravations, just to name a few. How about
☼Ultimate IQ Test Metal Puzzles (3-AD)
fun? Yes, fun! In this thinking skills puzzle,
This set has three metal puzzle IQ tests to your goal is to move all the other vehicles from
stretch your cranium: Claws, in which you must the congested formation to get yours home free.
separate 3 identical pieces; Enigma, which 40 different puzzle cards are included, along
has only two necessary moves (if you can find with a multitude of little brightly-colored cars
them); and the Triangle, where you must dis- and trucks in a sturdy gray street-like base. This
entangle the ring without getting everything all game was the winner of awards from several
tangled up. Think it looks easy? Think again!
groups in 1997, including Parents Magazine,
008277 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 15.95 Parent’s Choice, and Mensa. Four skill levels
- beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert
☼Dbox Puzzle (5-AD)
- make it more enjoyable for everyone, regardThese small cubes can join together to form less of age. Now everyone can know the joy
a larger cube – or a myriad of other shapes, if of bumper-to-bumper traffic, while trying your
you’re up to the challenge. There are two types sequential thinking skills - not your patience!
of cubes in this 3D puzzle: 24 are connector 005108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 15.50
cubes and 8 are receptor cubes. The only difference is that the connector cubes have a pin on Rush Hour Expansion Packs (3-AD)
one side that can be connected into any side of
Think you've mastered the original Rush Hour
any block. Just insert the pin and twist the block game? You might want to further test your
90 degrees to lock it into place. The enclosed skills against one of these all-original sets of
booklet is loaded with challenges – pictures of puzzles! Each expansion pack features 40 new
shapes and constructions for you to try and rec- puzzles, ranging in skill level from intermediate
reate. You might get some notes, but there are to GrandMaster (where you may have to navino step-by-step directions. The difficulty level is gate two cars out of the jam!). A new vehicle
noted for each one. Quite the spatial challenge! is included with each set also. Please note that
031440 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.95 21.95 you must have a Rush Hour game to use these
expansions.
EACH SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.99
4.95
000217 Set #2
This set includes a red convertible car piece.
002466 Set #3
Includes a white limo car piece.
005255 Set #4
In this set, you're driving a yellow taxi!
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Rush Hour Deluxe Edition (3-AD)
For all you Rush Hour fanatics out there,
here’s a special treat! This edition of the classic Rush Hour game has been revved up with
a flashy new design. Your new and improved
fiery red car must escape from a gridlock of
unique metallic-colored vehicles to “getaway”
from the bumper to bumper traffic. 60 specially
selected puzzle challenges from the other Rush
Hour game packs offer you five levels of fun
from Beginner to Grand Master. Another added
bonus is that you can store the puzzle cards,
cars, and game boards in the plush lined collector’s box. Whether you’re new to Rush Hour
or a seasoned pro, you’ll want to get behind the
wheel of this edition! – elise
038004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 18.95
Rush Hour Jr. (1-3)
Rush Hour puzzles are wonderful for all ages,
but once younger kids get through the beginning
cards and a few harder, it can get too difficult
for them. The solution to this puzzle? Rush
Hour Jr! It has all the fun of the original, with
minor changes. For example, their playing
piece is an ice-cream truck they guide through
the maze of fire trucks, police cars, and other
vehicles. The game comes with 40 new junior
challenge cards, and a bag to store the game in.
A great travel toy. - Melissa
005257 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 15.50
~~~~~~~~
☼Vikings Brainstorm (1-AD)
What’s a captain to do when a storm strikes
their vessels? They need your help! In this
puzzle game, 4 ships move through a plastic
grooved game board “sea”. Each ship sits on its
own rotating puzzle piece. Your challenge is to
solve the puzzle by rotating the pieces, navigating the ships out of the stormy seas to bring
them home. Set includes a game board, 4 ships,
9 rotating puzzle pieces, and a booklet with 48
challenges. For one or more players.
039182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 18.04
Temple Trap Game (2-AD)
Escape the maze of a labyrinth by strategically
moving the pieces to reach the exit. Besides
figuring out how to move pieces, the game has
extra challenges such as not being able to move
the piece your peg is on and the exit being on
the second floor of the labyrinth. This game is
compact and easy to take while on the go. With
48 challenges divided into four ability levels,
this game will help develop logical thinking,
strategic planning, and spatial perception.
055046 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.99 10.84
Athena (3-AD)
057032 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99
16.25
Anti-Virus – the Bio-Logical Game (3-AD)
Get rid of that virus in the cell as quickly as
possible! This visual and spatial perception
game uses a unique board (the cell) with 9
pieces that slide diagonally to allow movement
of the other shapes. The objective is to clear
a path to the exit to get rid of the red virus. If
you are familiar with Rush Hour, you get the
idea. This game is more challenging than Rush
Hour in that some of the game pieces are larger
unique shapes and sometimes 2 or more pieces
can be moved as a group. 60 challenges are
provided at 5 difficulty levels, with solutions
provided. Improve your mental health with this
challenging logic game.
024571 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 18.04
Turnstile (3-AD)
In this moving maze game, your goal is to
get the four colored pawns from their starting
points to the matching color corners. However,
there are up to four other grey playing pieces
blocking your path, and you must also contend
with moving maze walls. This will open up a
new path, but it might close another. Navigate
your way through all 40 challenges (beginner – expert) as you twist and turn the maze to
achieve your goal. Try not to get stuck!
051025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 14.95
Amaze (3-AD)
If you like doing mazes, you will love Amaze!
You get 16 different mazes on one game board.
Choose one of the maze challenges from the
back of the board or the instruction book. Each
one is numbered, and the higher the number
the more difficult the maze. There are four red
indicators on the left side and you match those
with the maze you have chosen. Then, take the
attached stylus and put it at the start position
and begin tracing it through the maze. If you
come to a red bar blocks your path, you can
slide it over with the stylus, but you can't jump
over it. Beware, a red bar moved may create a
dead end elsewhere. If you do get stuck, you
may reset the indicators in setup positions and
go back and start over again. If needed, solutions are in the back of the instruction booklet.
This would be a great travel game too. ~ Phyllis
027822 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
7.75
Visual Discrimination / Matching
Scramble Squares Puzzles (PK-AD)
These colorful puzzles will be a test for everyone, regardless of age. Kids will love the bright
pictures, and adults will love the challenge.
Each puzzle consists of nine large squares which
form a picture when arranged correctly. But
an individual piece has only half of a design
on each side, which needs to be matched up
to the side of another square to complete the
puzzle. That seems simple enough for the first
few squares, but when you're left with only
one piece that doesn't match up right, it takes
lots of thinking and rearranging until you get all
nine squares pieced together right. You'll need
plenty of determination! - Melissa
EACH PUZZLE . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.95
7.95
010868 American Native Flowers
049106 Ancient Egypt
016869 Bald Eagles
054868 Black Capped Chickadees
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
004859
009760
015141
013741
009098
009761
004862
010871
051942
004863
013745
004867
009099
008740
Butterflies
Cats
Dragonflies
Fairies
Forest Animals
Frogs
Horses
Hot Air Balloons
Ladybugs
North American Birds
Planets
Puppies
Snakes of North America
Snowflakes
Crazy Cheese Pocket Game (2-AD)
Your mission: to arrange nine yellow squares
of wooden cheese into a 3x3 block. Sounds
simple? Think again! Each square has a hole on
its outside edges that must be matched up with
the side of another square. Some holes are big,
some are small, but none are easy to match up.
There are two levels of difficulty. Try Cheese
Amateur, which allows holes to be imperfectly
round as long as they’re symmetrical. Or be
challenged by the Cheese Genius level, which
requires both symmetry and perfectly round
holes. Pieces come in a mesh drawstring bag
for handy storage and playing on the go. – Chad
009069 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
8.95
Tantrix Discovery (2-AD)
This fun puzzle will keep any player busy
for hours. The puzzle consists of ten sturdy,
six-sided tiles in a black mesh bag. The tiles
are numbered from one to ten and display red,
blue, and yellow lines. The purpose of the
puzzle is to create complete circles or loops
by connecting the lines on the tiles. You begin
with three tiles, make a circle connecting lines
of the same color on the tiles, then try to do it
with one more, and so on. Puzzlers add one tile
at a time until finally creating a loop using all
ten tiles. With less than ten tiles, only one color
of loop is possible to create, but with all ten
tiles, each color has its own solution. If you're
looking for more of a challenge, (and believe
me, it's harder than it sounds!) you can play
with two sets of tiles for more complex loops.
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
016966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
4.75
Stenzzles (3-AD)
Create layered works of art with Stenzzles!
Resembling stencils, these sets contain 8 plastic
4" x 4" cards, each with a different color and
cutout shape. Flip, rotate, and stack the squares
in a myriad of combinations to build layered
puzzles with peek through colors. The included booklet has illustrations of 8 completed
designs—can you figure out the combinations to
replicate the patterns? It’s harder than it appears,
since each card can be oriented in 8 ways. Also
included in the booklet are hints and a solution key. A black background card and puzzle
stand are included so you can display your
creation. Dogs features various breeds, such as
a Dachshund, Labrador, and Poodle. Tropical
has images such as a frog, flower, butterfly, and
dolphin. Kids and adults will enjoy solving the
puzzles and inventing unique designs. ~ Lisa
006495 Dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.50
006519 Tropical . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.50
Logic
691
Visual Discrimination / Patterning / Attributes from the other set of tiles, you figure out where
you placed its twin, using your techniques. It’s
amazing how many of the tiles you can recall
SET Game (1-AD)
More flexible than attribute blocks! More fun once you’ve honed your approach, and you
than Venn diagrams! It’s fast-paced. It’s chal- might just find your short-term memory getting
lenging! It’s...fun! I fell in love with this game better the more you play… ~ Mark
the very moment I saw it. It sounds simple; 054969 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.99 24.95
players race to see which three cards (of the
twelve showing) form a “set”. There are no Flip-a-Longs: Long, Long Locomotive (PK-AD)
In this delightful twist on the old Memory
turns, no waiting - the quickest to deduce a logical set wins the point. There is no age advan- game, players are searching for matching halves
tage; your children can beat you if their visual of train cars to build the longest locomotive.
perception in sharper than yours. Even when Train cars are not symmetrical, but match
played alone, the game is a mental challenge. together by virtue of a common theme, like
With opponents, the heat is on! MENSA chose the aquarium car or the in-the-tunnel car. From
this game as a top mind game in 1991 - chosen two to four players begin with an engine and a
for originality, intellectual challenge, aesthetics, caboose then add matched cars to the middle.
quality and longevity (you won’t quickly tire of Played according to the same rules as Memory,
we found this to be a bit more challenging to
this game!). So... are you ready to get Set?
008706 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.99 10.95 find matches and more satisfying to translate
successful recollection into longer trains.
032790 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 10.95
☼SET Junior Game (PK-AD)
Now your youngest players can play SET, too!
SET Junior contains a colorful two-sided game Distraction: Game of Memory and Hilarious
board, 27 tiles, and 24 point chips. Each tile Diversion (3-AD)
How good is your memory? In this game,
has a set of 1-3 geometric shapes in a variety
of colors. Side 1 of the game board introduces you’ll be challenged to recall a string of numkids to the concept of SETs, as they match their bers. The 54 number cards are distributed
tiles to those on the board (by color, number, among players, who take turns playing the top
and symbols). Side 2 is more open-ended, with card from their stack face-up into a stack in the
space for players to place their completed SETs. middle. Each player must recite all the numbers below in order. To spice things up a bit,
How many can you find? ~ Lisa
sometimes a “Draw a Distraction Card” comes
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs
023876 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.99 11.45 up in which they must answer some arbitrary
question, or follow some command…and then
remember all the numbers in the stack! The
USA Today Picture Puzzles for Kids (2-AD)
057356 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.99
6.95 50 Distraction Cards contain 100 distractions
like “What would you name a pet rhinoceros?”
or “Try to wiggle your ears without touching
them.” The first player to run out of their number cards, wins! Challenge yourself, or as many
opponents as you wish!
051022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.99 10.00
Visual / Spatial
Memory / Visual Memory
Recall (1-AD)
Recall isn’t precisely a game; it’s more of an
activity, designed to help increase your memory
skills. Included in the box are six 9x9 grids of
various scenes, smaller duplicates of the boards,
and two identical sets of 81 tiles. The goal is to
increase your memory recall techniques; separating out your twin tiles from both sets (as many
or as few as you feel like being challenged with),
you place one set of them upside down on the
board, trying to remember where you placed
them by association, correlation, characteristics,
and specific systems. For example, on the farm
scene, you might place the blue sneakers in the
blue river; since the river covers multiple tiles,
however, you might need some other technique
to remember where precisely. Perhaps you tell
yourself that the shoes slipped of the bridge, and
so you place them under that. Or perhaps you
place all blue objects in the river, and progress
alphabetically south. Our reviewers attached
short sentences about each object to remember
where it was placed. Then, drawing randomly
692
Logic
☼Swish Jr. (K-AD)
This version of Swish is designed especially
for the younger set. Like the grown-up version,
it has transparent cards with color images. A
Swish is created by layering two or more cards
so that every shape fits into the outline of the
same shape and color. Shapes include arrows,
circles, stars, and diamonds. Players race to flip,
rotate, and stack the transparent cards to create
as many Swishes as possible. Includes 42 cards,
a drawstring Game-Go bag, and instructions. 2+
players. ~ Lisa
024304 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.99 10.00
☼Laser Maze (3-AD)
Guide the laser through the maze of mirrors
with this beam-bending logic game. First, set
up the laser and arrange the tokens per the
instructions on one of the challenge cards. Your
challenge is to arrange the rest of the tokens to
reflect the laser through to the goal. A variety of
tokens are available, such as beam splitters, mirrors, double-mirrors, and more to get the laser
from the start to the checkpoint. The set comes
with 11 tokens and 60 challenges across four
difficulties. For one player.
024296 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.99 23.50
Gravity Maze (3-AD)
039467 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.99
23.50
ScienceWiz Cool Circuits (3-AD)
028088 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.95
22.45
Spatial - Fit to Space 2D
MIGHTYMIND / SUPERMIND
MightyMind Game (PK-3)
This wonderful game builds thinking skills,
starting out easy and progressing to harder
puzzles so younger kids can develop skills
as they go to solve increasingly challenging
puzzles. The basic MightyMind game contains
a tray with 32 colorful plastic design tiles and
30 sturdy puzzle boards. The puzzles are
numbered so you can easily spot their correct
order. While the first puzzles consist of spaces
to match single shapes to, the puzzles reach a
point where they have just an outline, requiring children to experiment with different pieces
until they find the correct combination in order
to solve the puzzle. Children can work their
way through the puzzles without help, all the
while building puzzle-working skill and interest. MightyMind has received several awards,
among them the Parent's Choice Honor award.
A magnetic version of MightyMind is also available, which includes magnetic shapes and is
packaged in a tin. Great for the road!
SuperMind is a sequel for children who
have successfully completed the MightyMind
puzzles. It is available separately (in original or
magnetic versions), or you can purchase just the
design book, since the design tiles are identical
to those in the first set.
Extra Design Tiles are available, 32 colored
tiles in each set, so more than one child can
play at once. These are also great for use without pattern cards to create freeform designs.
008163 Mighty Mind . . . . . . . . 18.95
016751 Magnetic Mighty Mind . 23.95
027418 Magnetic Challenger . . 24.95
008187 SuperMind . . . . . . . . . . 18.95
007539 Magnetic Supermind . . . 24.95
005130 SuperMind Book only 9.95 8.95
016766 Design Tiles only . . . . 8.95 7.95
034188 Magnetic Play Tray Set 11.95 10.50
Includes metal play tray sized to fit the
puzzle cards and 32 peel-and-stick magnets
for the design tiles. Great for travel!
051223 Magnetic Zoo Adv. (K-4)
24.95
Create animals of the wild with this set!
Magnetic tin contains 26 colorful zooanimal themed puzzle cards to complete,
and 32 design tiles in 6 geometric shapes.
049341 Magnetic Sea Explorer (K-4) 24.95
Magnetic tin contains 26 colorful seathemed puzzle cards to complete, plus 32
proportional design tiles in 6 basic geometric shapes. A perfect travel game.
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Geobrix - Solve...Build...Create! (3-AD)
057020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.00 12.25
☼Noah’s Ark Magnetic Travel Game (K-AD)
Can you fit all of the animal pairs inside the
ark? This magnetic puzzle may be cute, but it’s
harder than it looks. To play a puzzle, set up the
magnetic board with the animal piece(s) shown
in the setup chart. The goal is to fit the rest of
the animals on the board; the catch is that each
animal pair must have at least one side touching each other, and you can’t turn any pieces!
This is a great game for road trips or other times
when children need to keep themselves occupied for a while. It’s contained in a spiral-bound
hardcover that snaps closed to keep everything
together. – Chad
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
039152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04
Pathwords (7-AD; 1-AD)
Word search or puzzle? Actually, both! Not
only must you find words in the scrambled letters, but all of them must be covered by the
transparent pieces so that each uniquely colored
and shaped piece contains a complete word.
There are 40 challenge cards with four levels of
play from beginner to expert. Your vocabulary
will get a real workout alongside your problemsolving skills at the upper levels, as there are
many possible words using different pieces, but
only one combination that will fit – sometimes
with an obscure word or two in the mix. When
you’ve solved all of the puzzles, extend the
fun by making some of your own to challenge
another player!
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
039614 Pathwords (7-AD) . . 19.99 14.95
051024 Pathwords Jr. (1-AD) 19.99 15.50
☼Hexus the Color-Connecting Puzzler (3-AD)
This hexagon-based puzzle may appear
simple at first, but once you try it, you’ll find
it quite challenging. Eight plastic color-coded
puzzle pieces fit into hexagonal slots in a small
carrying-case board. Your task it to replicate
the patterns in the challenge book; this is difficult because you must manipulate each piece
around hexagonal blocks positioned around the
surface. 44 levels of varying difficulty will try
your mastery of all things six-sided, but given
time, you will prevail!
IQ Fit (1-AD)
Not only is this little logic game fun to play, CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs
☼Puzzle Blox (5-AD)
031968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.99
9.50
but it comes in a sturdy and compact
Solve puzzles while recreating fine works
package. Brightly colored plastic pieces fit
of art! Each puzzle contains 130 small plastic
Kanoodle Puzzle (2-AD)
together in patterns which you try to recreate
cubes that you fit together to form an art reproThis Tetris-like puzzle features 12 different duction. What makes this super challenging,
from the directions booklet. 120 possible
designs insure kids will have a lot of options in shapes of between 3 and 5 beads with thin though, is each cube represents a piece of not
their play. The pieces look like little balls that connecting plastic. The puzzle board is a 5 x one, but six different puzzles. To solve a parare stuck together, but as you turn them around, 11 region of dents in which you will configure ticular puzzle, you will need to flip and rotate
the configurations change. You are fitting them your shapes. The object of the game is to fit each cube to select the side with the correct
into holes on a 5” x 10” grid. The entire game is all 12 shapes on the Kanoodle board, starting artwork. It’s harder than it looks! Includes six
a compact 5.5” x 3.5” x.75”, making it a good with the positions on the cards. As the cards picture cards for reference and a plastic display
one to fit in your purse for those times you need get harder, you will start with fewer and fewer case. Finished puzzle measures 5” x 6.4”. ~ Lisa
to entertain on the go. The game is hard enough puzzle pieces. Each setup has hundreds of pos- CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs
to be a challenge, yet easy enough for kids to sible combinations but just one solution. It can 035193 Fine Art . . . . . . . . . 28.00 20.95
get quite frustrating when you end up with one 035210 Modern Art . . . . . . 28.00 20.95
feel smart! ~ Sara
bead off the board and one open spot, but the
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs
055486 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04 more you try the closer (and farther) you can
get. Once you master the 2D setup, you can Anaconda Game (2-AD)
play 3D Pyramid Kanoodle with the same key
IQ Steps (3-AD)
This game seems so simple… but wow, is it
028915 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04 concept but one challenging twist - use all 12 complicated! The goal: to make a complete
pieces to make a pyramid. I hope you find this snake—from head to tail—using the different
as fun and challenging as I did.
shape tiles available to you. First you have to
031880 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.99
9.95 set up the tile board according to whatever skill
puzzle you’re doing (much like Rush Hour). The
Bend-It (2-AD)
catch? Those starting tiles can’t move, and you
It’s not a common puzzle in which the solu- have to use all the rest of the tiles, even if they’re
tion is revealed to you first. However, that’s not not part of the snake (some of them are blank on
going to be the challenge in this puzzle- all of the flipside). The easiest starting configurations
the alternating black and white pieces bend. would be challenging for a 7 or 8 year old, and
Your job is to, well, “bend it” to conform they only get harder from there. Yes, I did maneach piece to a fitting shape that will fulfill the age to beat the hardest puzzle (#100) – but it
requirements of the end solution. 60 challenges took me long enough! Talk about exercising the
from easy to expert also assure that you will not cranium! The game board comes with a plastic
run out of puzzles soon!
cover to keep all your pieces in one place, mak051428 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.99 13.54 ing it a perfect travel game. – Chad
003996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.99 10.84
☼Back 2 Back Game (2-AD)
☼Katamino Duo (K-AD)
Build colorful puzzles, back to back! This ☼IQ Link (3-AD)
A game of logic, concentration, speed, and
spatial awareness – this game’s for the entire puzzle develops logical thinking skills and
Can you find the missing links? In this puzzle
family! This simple puzzle-like game actually visual/spatial perception as you fill the plastic game, your challenge is to place the plastic link
requires a good dose of strategy. In the 2-player grid with colorful pieces. 11 plastic puzzle pieces on the game board in various formations.
mode, players are challenged to be the first to fit pieces in several colors each consist of several This is difficult because there are 36 puzzle
their pentomino-shaped playing pieces perfectly small circles joined together in a unique forma- parts but only 24 free places on the game board.
into their playing boards. Each durable board tion. When you place it on vertical grid, two The open rings and balls of different puzzle
changes shape depending on the card drawn protruding parts stick through the holes, making pieces can occupy the same space when you
for that round. 2-player rounds last about 10 it impossible to place a puzzle piece there on link them the right way. Test your visualization
minutes. Solo play is more creative, with mil- the flip side. Your challenge is to completely fill and linking skills with 120 challenges across
lions of possible shape combinations to explore. the game board on both sides with the puzzle 5 difficulty levels. Includes 12 colorful puzzle
The plastic playing boards measure 17.3 x 15.5 pieces back to back. The illustrated booklet has pieces, compact game board with lid, and a
x 2.8 cm and the 3D plastic pentomino pieces 60 challenges in 5 levels. For 1 player. ~ Lisa
challenge booklet. For one or more players.
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs
come in a variety of colors.
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs
016675 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.95 039175 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.99 13.54 015391 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Logic
693
Spatial - Fit to Space 3D
☼Day and Night Game (PK-K))
This may look like a wooden stacking toy for
toddlers, but it’s really a logic game for preschoolers! Kids will develop logical reasoning,
strategic planning, and visual/spatial perception
as they select and stack colorful wooden blocks
in various patterns. Kids arrange the 10 painted
wooden pieces on 3 vertical pegs to recreate
scenes from the challenge booklet. The first
24 scenes are “Day” scenes, illustrated in full
color. The 24 “Night” scenes are illustrated in
silhouette (so it’s more challenging). Two blocks
are smiley faces, two are cylinders, one is a
triangle, and the rest are unconventional shapes
that can represent almost anything (depending
on the context in the challenge book.). The
challenge book is spiral-bound at the top, stands
up like a table tent, and has 48 challenges in
4 different levels. The “Night” challenges can
be checked simply by swiveling the challenge
book to look at the scene shown on the “Day”
side—it should be identical to the silhouette. No
matter what the challenge level, kids will have
hours of fun with this hands-on game. And yes,
it is a great stacking toy for toddlers, too! ~ Lisa
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs
006248 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 22.54
☼Logiq Tower Puzzle (3-AD)
This looks like a set of children’s building
blocks, but it’s really a challenging logic puzzle!
This set has 15 colorfully painted wood pieces
in a variety of unique shapes. Your task is to
stack the pieces around a central rod to build
cylindrical towers of various heights—without any gaps. There are 22,069 solutions, so
you’ll be busy for awhile. The wooden dowel
unscrews from the base for easy storage, and the
wooden pieces store in a drawstring bag.
007510 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 22.95
plastic tray, and then use the other color to fill in
the rest of the space. Each of the 60 full-colored
cards have the solutions displayed on the back,
and they store neatly in a drawer in the base of
the tray. This unique but familiar puzzle will be
a challenge for all! - Jess
005126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.99 11.50
☼Color Code Game (K-AD)
This puzzle is based on color, shape and
visual/spatial perception. Game consists of 18
transparent plates, each with a colored shape.
Objective is to stack the plates in such a way
as to visually match the challenge. Look at
Spatial - Construct From Model
the challenge, choose the appropriate plates,
2D (Single Plane)
and place them in the sloped display to see if
it matches. Challenges consist of 4 levels of 25
TANGRAM PUZZLES & GAMES
each; while the starter challenges are not too
difficult, some at the master level will take a bit
Tangoes Game
Think of this as a game format for a tangram of thought.
puzzle book. It’s a fast-paced educational game CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
that keeps you guessing! The objective of the 037260 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 18.04
game is to figure out the puzzle before your
opponent. Game includes 54 puzzle cards and
two sets of plastic tangrams. These double-sided cards have the solution on the opposite side,
if you happen to get stumped. All this fits into
a compact box. A portable mental challenge!
008148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04
☼Tangoes Braniac (2-AD)
Yet another fun installment in the ever-popular
realm of tangoes. This game plays like other tangoes, utilizing 27 double-sided challenge cards
(with solutions) and tangoes pieces. However,
you can play with a friend this time, since there
are 2 full 7-piece tangoes sets! Challenge your
buddy in a race, work together to put together
☼Match Stix (3-AD)
a 14 piece puzzle, or play a solitaire version.
This new version of a classic game can be
015395 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04
played solo or with up to 6 players. The game
consists of 6 red 2-inch “matchsticks” and a
Magnetic Travel Tangoes (K-AD)
The Tangoes game everyone loves is now deck of puzzle cards. Each puzzle card shows
available on-the-go. These sets deliver all the an arrangement of 4, 5, or 6 matchsticks. The
fun of traditional Tangrams in a compact, mag- object of the game is to move the matchsticks
netic form. The wire-bound puzzle booklets in limited ways so that the arrangement matches
measure 6.5” x 6.5” and snap shut to store the the puzzle card. In the multiplayer version,
seven magnetic tangram pieces provided. 24 each player gets two moves per turn. Whenever
puzzles are given in each book, and players a player’s puzzle cards matches the arrangement
solve the puzzles on the magnetic play surface on the board, you score a point. Since cards
included. Using the magnetic puzzle pieces, can match the matchstick arrangement on a
players fashion a variety of pictures including player’s turn or an opponent’s turn, all players
animals, objects, and people. The magnetic stay engaged regardless of whose turn it is. The
force is strong enough to keep pieces from packaging and game format are compact, so it’s
falling off the board as children move them great to take on the road (or to parties).
9.99
around. Colorful, interactive, and easy to take 007588 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . anywhere, these puzzle books will be a hit on
the road or at home. ~ Rachel
Trucky 3 Puzzle Game (PK-3)
How hard can it be to put 3 shapes into the
bed of the truck so that the tops are flush?
Harder than I thought! This spatial perception
logic puzzle from Smart Games challenges
youngsters with 48 puzzles. For each puzzle, a
page from the spiral-bound puzzle book shows
a color picture of the puzzle pieces to be used
and the truck to put the pieces in. The back
of the page shows the completed puzzle. The
book contains 12 puzzles for each age from 4 to
7, and each puzzle shows a gauge of difficulty
within the age range. The most challenging
puzzles have as many as 8 shapes going into 3
trucks. Included are 10 different plastic shapes,
3 cute little wooden trucks with rolling wheels, CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
and the puzzle book. ~ Bob
EACH BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
9.04
027800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 22.54 018300 Animal Puzzles
018313 Object Puzzles
Digits in a Box (3-AD)
018324 People Puzzles
With over 4,000 possible solutions, you would
think they would “go back into the box”! The Shape by Shape (K-AD)
concept is simple: 10 puzzle pieces shaped Here’s a new variation of an old puzzle you’ve
like the numbers 0-9. They fit perfectly in an probably tried before - tangrams. Though much
approximately 2½” cube. There’s even some like tangrams, Shape by Shape has twice the
empty space. Spill them out, put them back…. number of pieces, in two different bright colors,
if you can! Hard to put down, easy to take with and in a few new shapes, too. Also, they are a
you, challenging to solve. A puzzle Pandora lot thicker than regular tangrams for easy hanwould appreciate!
dling. The puzzles require you to use one color
033913 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
8.75 to build a tangram-like puzzle in the square
694
Logic
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Spatial - Construct From Model 3D
☼Bunny Peek-a-Boo Game (ages 2+) (PK-1)
A logic and strategy puzzle for your earliest
learner, from age 2 on up! This adorable game
features 3 brightly-colored wooden blocks, a
cute wooden rabbit and 60 challenge cards.
Kids are invited to manipulate the blocks and
rabbit to match the pictures on the cards. The
full-color challenge card deck consists of 15
cards each of four difficulty levels. ~ Megan
015387 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 22.54
Smart Car Game (PK-AD)
While adults and older children have a menagerie of puzzles and games to use, younger
children tend to be a less targeted audience.
This challenge puzzle game gives them a variety to work with. Your goal is to fit together
four colored right-angle blocks in the frame
of a wooden car. The trick is, each block has
cartoon “eyes” that act as the car’s eyes when
the puzzle is complete. This means they have to
focus both on fitting the pieces and in arranging
them properly. Being geared for younger kids,
all of the puzzle’s pieces are large and blocky
for ease of grip and manipulation.
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
053432 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 22.54
Architect Blocks Logic Games (K-AD)
If you’re provided the plans, can you build
the structure? Each of these games challenges
players to take a structure represented on a
page, and recreate it using a certain number
of Architect blocks. The games are a series,
increasing in difficulty as each set nudges the
player to strengthen their visual/spatial skills
a bit more. Each game set includes a spiralbound book of model structures to build and a
set of 18 sturdy plastic Architect blocks. The
books feature 50-60+ models to recreate; each
challenge includes a simple illustration of the
structure to build, a difficulty rating, and a list of
blocks the player must use. Because the same
set of blocks is used in every set, puzzle books
are also available separately, so you can easily
add on to one complete set.
In Equilibrio, players are challenged to create
upright, 3-D structures with the blocks. The
book depicts simple two-dimensional illustrations of the structure, and it’s up to the player
to determine the correct placement of the
blocks and ensure that their structure can stand
independently. Architecto takes the building
challenges another step by offering simple 3-D
illustrations of structures for players to recreate.
In many of these puzzles, the number and shape
of blocks used to create different parts of the
structure is fairly ambiguous, so building these
is a challenge! The most advanced puzzle set is
Cliko. This puzzle book also provides 3-D challenges, but players must use two-dimensional
illustrations from a “straight on” perspective to
build the 3-D structure. This is a puzzle series
that will grow with a child’s development – and
stretch any adult’s spatial skills too!
EACH GAME . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.99 27.50
EACH BOOK ONLY . . . . . . . 19.99 15.95
Game Book Only
042383 Equilibrio (K-AD)
042382
042379 Architecto (2-AD) 042378
042381 Cliko Game (3-AD) 042380
Interlock (3-AD)
057033 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 16.25
☼Castle Logix (PK-AD)
Want to work on logical thinking with your
preschooler? Consider this IQ-building product
from Smart Games. The object is to arrange the 7
wooden block-like pieces into the same structure
shown in the color booklet. 48 challenges are
included, in four difficulty levels: starter, junior,
expert, and master. Correct solutions are provided
on the back of each challenge. Great for developing a young child’s spatial reasoning abilities.
039181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 22.54 ☼Roundabout (3-AD)
This “roundabout” has nothing to do with
traffic
circles—it’s a mind-boggling logic game!
Block Builders (K-AD)
What can you build using just six blocks? Following the diagrams, can you connect the
Block Builders contains 50 different challenges, prescribed number of shaped pipes to make a
each presenting you with a silhouette and ask- complete circuit? It’s harder than it looks! There
ing you to reconstruct it. It’s not as simple as it are four piece shapes, fashioned similarly to
first appears: some of the blocks are hinged to the letters I, L, S, and C. They all connect to
transform into different shapes, and not all the make the diagramed circuits, but they’re not
blocks are required for some puzzles. Getting confined to one dimension. They might go up,
the puzzle right means sharpening those visual down, over, or around! Sometimes they won’t
and spatial perception skills, architects. Puzzle even stand up for you until you’ve figured out
cards also contain architectural quotes, terms, the correct piece to bridge on top of them for
facts, places, and styles for additional learning. stability. It forces you to think about things spaAnd if you’re tired of trying to solve puzzles, just tially, especially because there are numerous
let your creative mind take over and make your ways any given piece could fit. (This game was
invented by a theoretical physicist; can’t you
own constructs. ~ Mark
049258 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.95 28.95 tell?). Includes 18 sturdy plastic pieces and a
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
challenge book with 50 puzzles. – Chad
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
002887 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 14.50
Ivan’s Hinge Puzzle (4-AD))
How hard can it be to arrange triangles into a
given pattern? You’d be surprised. Ivan’s Hinge
has 50 challenges for you, and with all the
pieces hinged together, you’re in for a rough
time. You have to fold, bend, turn, and otherwise manipulate the pieces carefully to get it
into the proper shape. Solving the puzzles will
require concentration, spatial reasoning, logic,
pattern awareness – in other words, it all hinges
on you. ~ Mark
049259 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 10.95
Deductive Reasoning
Code Cracking
Mastermind (3-AD)
Can you create a code your opponent can’t
crack? In this classic two-player strategy game,
the rules are simple; one player acts as codemaker and arranges four colored pegs behind a
shield on his/her end of the board. Then it’s up
to the code-breaker to crack the code, guessing
at the sequence of pegs the code-maker placed,
and trying to duplicate it on the board. After
the code-breaker places a row of four pegs, the
code-maker uses small white and red pegs to
give the code-breaker feedback. A white peg
means that the code-breaker has chosen a peg
of the right color, but it’s in the wrong position.
A red peg means that one of the four pegs is
the correct color and in the right position. The
catch is that the code-breaker has no way to
know which one of his pegs is right without
some trial and error! Play continues until either
all ten rows have been filled unsuccessfully or
the code-breaker breaks the code. The codemaker gets points for each row of pegs filled by
the code-breaker, or 11 points if the code is not
cracked. Then it’s time to switch roles and play
again. Simple to learn but challenging every
time, everyone can enjoy this brain-twisting
challenge.
1CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
042834 Original . . . . . . . . . 16.00 12.95
051785 Ultimate version . . . 19.99 16.95
Features a cool oval design with a storage area, roll-top shield and carry handle.
Players create 5-peg patterns, not four.
Mastermind for Kids (1-AD)
It’s the classic game of Mastermind, reworked
for a younger crowd. This version is junglethemed, with six colored jungle animals (each
with a different color) instead of pegs. As is
fitting for its age range, the code is now only
three colors long. Other than that, it works just
like the original. One player, the codemaker,
creates a code, and the other player, the codebreaker, tries to duplicate it on the board. The
codemaker has white and red creature pieces
which they place alongside the code, red indicating that the color and placement of the piece
is correct, white indicating that the color is
right, but the placement is not. Always thrilling,
games are quick and scoring is simple – perfect
for kids. ~ Mark
047714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.00 12.95
Logic
695
☼Telepathy Junior Game (1-8) (ages 6-13)
No, you won’t be reading minds in this
game—you’ll be exercising the powers of logical deduction! This animal-themed junior version plays very similarly to the “grown-up”
Telepathy game. Each player selects a secret
square on a 10x10 grid, which the opponent
tries to find by asking for clues. The colorful game boards consist of 100 squares; there
are 5 colors and 5 animals possible for each
square. Each square also has a vertical column
assignment (by number) and a horizontal row
assignment (by letter). Players take turns asking
each other questions for clues to the location
of the opponent’s secret square. As an aspect
(ie. color, animal, row, or column) is ruled in
or out, players keep track of yes/no possibilities
on their game boards and clue cards. The first
person to correctly solve the secret square wins!
Game includes: 2 game boards, 2 game cards,
4 dry erase pens, 4 card stands, an eraser, and
a rule sheet. For 2 players. ~ Lisa
035817 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 18.50
Arrangement by Pattern/Rule
Cart Before the Horse Game (3-AD)
If you loved figuring out those deductive
reasoning puzzles – trying to figure out all the
clues to find the placement of children in a
row, or which child ordered which ice cream
flavor, this game is perfect for you! With over
100 puzzles of varying difficulties, this single
player game makes those puzzles much more
hands-on and visual. The set contains 50
double-sided colorful cards, 32 illustrated chips,
brief instructions, and answers to each puzzle.
The cards contain blank circular spaces for the
chips in different patterns: the simplest puzzles
have only three blanks in a row while the more
complex puzzles have a 3 x 3 grid or a ring of
8 spaces, with a range of other configurations
in between. Simply gather the chips the puzzle
calls for, read the clues, and manipulate the
chips in the blanks until all the clues work out.
Just make sure you don’t put the cart before the
horse…
055009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.95 16.15
696
Logic
Chocolate Fix Sweet Logic Game (3-AD)
The tray holds nine pieces of chocolate. Each
customer wants a different arrangement of chocolates, but the instructions on where to place
each piece are incomplete. The challenge card
tells you where to place the first few, but after
that you have to figure out where the rest of the
pieces go by using the standard placement rules
for shapes and colors. There are 40 challenge
cards in four difficulty levels, from beginner to
expert. It is a single player game, but solutions
are included if you’re stumped… or if the lifelike
chocolate pieces are distracting you!
043665 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 14.95
Reasoning from Clues
Archelino (PK-AD)
057014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.95
19.95
offer additional puzzle cards at a variety of levels, are just what you need to keep you stocked
with puzzles. Each pack offers 100 puzzles with
solutions. The durable wooden game and fun
yet challenging puzzles will be enjoyed by new
and old Sudoku fans alike. ~ Rachel
CHOKING HAZARD (4). Not <3yrs.
038305 Wood Puzzle . . . . . 34.99 28.95
EACH EXPANSION PACK . . . . 9.95
7.95
038304 Beginner Puzzles
038303 All Four Levels Puzzles
038302 Advanced Puzzles
Sumoku (4-AD)
This one might be too pretty to be a math
game! The smooth colorful tiles, the chunky
die, the cone-shaped pouch… it all adds up to
a game that begs to jump off the shelf and be
played. In the game, 2-5 players all use their
tiles to add onto a central number “crossword”
made up of tiles. At the beginning of the game,
the die is rolled to find the “key” number. This
will be 3, 4 or 5. Players will each draw eight
tiles to start, and the first player uses as many
of their tiles as possible to build a row that not
only adds up to a multiple of the key number,
but doesn’t repeat any color of tile. So if the
key number is ‘5’ you could lay down a green
‘1,’ an orange ‘9,’ a purple ‘3’ and a red ‘7.’
The total of the tiles is 20, which is a multiple
of five, and no color is used more than once.
The next player then uses as many of their tiles
as possible, while adding onto the first player’s
row. You can also add more tiles to an existing row, as long as you don’t break the color or
number rule. The game ends when all tiles have
been used that can be used, and the player with
the most points wins. Variations for other versions are also included.
054874 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.99 12.95
☼Logik Street Game (PK-AD)
This single-player game will challenge your
deductive reasoning abilities.
The playing
board is a row of plastic town houses. Up to
five can be connected to increase difficulty.
The player selects a clue card and has to figure
out where the five people and five pets live
based on the clues given. No reading skills
needed – clue cards are all picture-based. 84 ☼Sukugo (5-AD)
No, that’s not a typo; it’s Sudoku (and then
clue cards in all, at a variety of difficulty levels.
055830 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 15.95 some!). The large, 9x9 board is pockmarked,
allowing the colored tokens (numbered 1-9) to
fit in smoothly. Several small numbered tokens
Sudoku
are also included for any guesses you wish to
place on the board. The booklet includes 100
Colorku Solid Wood Puzzle (3-AD)
Sudoku puzzles have exploded in popularity Sudoku challenges to play by yourself or with
in recent years, and this product allows you to friends. Flip over the large tokens to show
enjoy the logical puzzles with colors instead of simple star tokens, and use the board to play
numbers. Instead of using numbers, Colorku such games as Chinese checkers, American
uses nine differently colored wooden marbles Checkers, Five in a Row, and more.
on a large wooden board. The high-quality 039577 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.00 20.95
wood board measures 13.5” x 13.5” and is
Logic & Strategic Thinking
divided into nine rows, nine columns, and nine
3 x 3 squares. It has 81 wood marbles in 9
vibrant colors. The board and marbles are cov- Robot Turtles (PK-3)
ered with a plastic tray that holds the balls on 039506 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.99 19.25
the board when storing, and flips over to serve
as a ball holder while playing. The board comes
with 100 different puzzle cards in four difficulty
levels and tell players where to place the first
few marbles. The solution to each puzzle is
achieved when the player ends up having one
and only one of every color ball in each of
the nine rows, columns, and 3 x 3 squares.
Solutions are included. There’s even a color
conversion card that shows you how to alter
any Sudoku puzzle from any book or newspaper
and solve it using your Colorku board. Think
the 100 puzzle cards that come with the game
won’t be enough? The Expansion Packs, which
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
Blokus (K-AD)
A tactical game of strategy. Board looks like a
blank Scrabble board. The colored game pieces
are all different shapes - like the game pieces
in the computer game Tetris - which players
take turns playing so their color game pieces
are only touching at the corners, not ever along
a flat side. The object of the game is to block
the other player's pieces while protecting your
own - and end the game with the lowest remaining total surface area for your game pieces.
Instructions are straight forward, and the rules
are easy to learn. 2 to 4 players. Europe’s 2002
Game of the Year! This game is also available
in a travel version, Blokus to Go!, suitable for
two players. It has two detachable storage panels that fold up the game for easy storage.
Pentago (4-AD)
024111 Regular . . . . . . . . . 28.00 19.95
The first one to get five in a row wins. It’s real034725 Blokus To Go! . . . . 26.68 19.95 ly a pretty straightforward game to play. Except
for the fact that the game board is made up of
☼KYRO 5 Game (3-AD)
rotating squares – one of which players turn
Be the first to make a row of five pyramids with 90° after each play they make. This, of course,
this strategy game. Set includes 24 plastic pyra- changes the whole set-up of the game board –
mids in two colors. Players take turns placing though players are still aiming to get five in a
one pyramid at a time, each touching another row. The travel game is made up of 4 squares
pyramid on at least one side or corner. Once (each with 9 depressions for the marbles), while
all the pyramids are placed, players remove and the multiplayer version is made up of 9 of the
relocate the placed pyramids, one by one. The same squares. Also, the playing pieces in the
first player to line up five pyramids in a row multiplayer version have a different color on
is the winner. Pyramids measure 1.5” tall and each side, allowing 2 players to play one or two
stack inside each other and the Pyramid storage colors each; 3 players to play their own colors,
tower. 2 players. ~ Lisa
or as a team against a single; and 4 players to
031851 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.99 11.75 play against each other or in teams of 2, utilizing each other’s colors. A versatile game that
takes a lot longer to master than it does to learn.
CHOKING HAZARD (1). Not <3yrs.
048449 Travel Game . . . . . . . 048450 Multiplayer Game . . . . 19.95
29.95
Software
Solitaire Chess (3-AD)
Condensing the most exciting part of chess
into a puzzle game, Solitaire Chess gives you 10
pieces (a king, queen, and two knights, rooks,
pawns, and bishops) and 40 challenges. Your
goal is to have only one piece left, but there are
some rules – you can only move in accordance
with traditional chess rules, and you have to
capture a piece with every move. Fast-paced
and requiring an ample amount of forethought
and carefulness, this game would be excellent
for chess aficionados or logic puzzle lovers
alike. ~ Mark
048325 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 14.95
Find Your Way Gnome Puzzle (3-AD)
All of the little gnomes seem to have lost their
homes. Your job is to help them find those
homes! Each of the 100 dry-erase puzzle cards
(of three varying difficulties) has several gnomes
and houses of varying colors. Using markers,
connect the same-colored figures through the
grid board. There is one catch, however: each
grid can only contain one path. Because of the
small number of pieces (100 puzzles and two
markers) the game tin is easily converted to a
travel game.
052267 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.95 16.15
Zoombinis Logical Journey CD-ROM (3-12)
If you’re looking for a logic game that your
kid will zoom through with no problems, you’re
going to want to look elsewhere. This game is a
lot of fun, but it will definitely challenge younger kids and even give older students a bit of a
run for their money. The premise of the game is
this: the poor Zoombinis have let the horrible
Bloats take over their island, and must now
leave on an expedition to find a new homeland.
The problem is that the terrain is full of logic
puzzles you have to solve before journeying
forward. Players sometimes use the Zoombinis
themselves to solve the puzzles. Zoombinis
are interesting-looking creatures; at the beginning, you get to pick out their eyes, hairstyle,
nose color, and foot style. Then throughout
the puzzles, these features are usually part of
solving the puzzle. For example, those with
a certain hairstyle can cross one bridge while
those with another must cross another way, so
you have to carefully figure out which characteristics can cross which way. In this particular
puzzle, if more than six Zoombinis try to cross
the incorrect bridge, both bridges collapse
and whichever ones had already crossed must
continue the journey alone. This becomes a
problem later on, because you need at least 16
Zoombinis to pass each level and you need 625
Zoombinis to complete all levels to win. You
can only take 16 at a time and it’s almost impossible to make the journey without losing some,
See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.
so this is definitely a game that will last players
for quite a while. As the game moves forward,
the puzzles get progressively harder, and as
you level-up, the difficulty level increases even
for earlier puzzles. There are 12 puzzles in all
and 4 levels of difficulty. Puzzles shift rules
and patterns each play, so you can’t memorize
answers: you have to logically make your way
through each time. I’m not going to lie – some
of the upper level puzzles are really hard to pass
with any Zoombinis at all. Some skills covered
include algebraic thinking, data analysis, graphing and mapping, logical reasoning, pattern
finding, problem solving, statistical thinking,
and theory formation and testing. I’m making
it sound really complex but it is an enjoyable
game to play. You’ll get lots of use out of this
game, and you’re able to save several games
at a time, so players at different skill levels can
use it at the same time. An additional bonus
are several printable worksheets that include
tasks like matching and sequencing using the
cute Zoombinis, as well as printable dominoes,
bingo guessing games, and more. This one’s
well worth the price if you’re in the market for
logic software. System requirements: Windows
98, Me, 2000, XP, Pentium 200 MHz or faster;
Macintosh: Mac OS 8.6-9.2, OS X, Power PC
180 MHz or faster; 32 MB RAM, 40 MB free
hard disk space, 8X CD-ROM drive. ~Rachel
030263 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
7.95
Dr. Brain Action Reaction CD-ROM (4-12)
It’s hard to find high-quality computer games
that are adventurous and fun without being too
violent or graphic for children. This game is a
great solution, as it provides all the excitement
of a traditional video game, but doesn’t have the
player leaving a path of destruction. Trapped in
a complicatedly-designed S.P.O.R.E. (Sinister
People Organized Really Efficiently) submarine, the player must follow clues given by Dr.
Brain, a recent escapee, and navigate around
each level to get to an exit. There’s no shooting or violence, though in some mazes, there
are guards you have to “stun.” Players use
logic to navigate through the various levels by
figuring out puzzles. You ride elevator lifts in a
certain sequence to find the exit, knock down
specific walls to lead a droid to a chamber
that opens an exit, and solve other problems to
work through the levels. There are 45 different
rooms/levels to work through (which get more
and more difficult as the game progresses) and
some of them are really challenging, though the
clues given by Dr. Brain and trial and error can
usually help you pass each level without too
much stress (at least for me, at a young 29). The
graphics and sound are really top-notch here,
and really remind me of many mainstream computer games that are on the market right now.
If your child loves solving logic puzzles, they’re
going to enjoy this game. If your child isn’t that
into puzzles but likes the typical shoot ‘em up
computer games, try this captivating game as
a less violent but equally challenging and fun
alternative. System requirements: Windows 98,
Me, XP, Pentium III 500 MHz or higher recommended, 128 MB RAM recommended (32 MB
minimum), 400 MB free hard disk space recommended (100 MB minimum), 24x CD-ROM
drive recommended (12x minimum). ~ Rachel
030035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.99
7.95
Logic
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