Manufacturer: Monkeying Around Recommended Age: 8 years and up Retail Price: $7.95 (per book) On the Web: www.monkeyingaround.com Buy It Here:

The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books by Monkeying Around contain detailed and intricate connect-the-dot puzzles. With no clues given to the final image, the dot-to-dot puzzles are intended to provide a new level of challenge and intrigue. Upon completion of a puzzle, artists are rewarded with images that are vivid and rich in detail. The Super Challenge Books (5 – 7) contain double page puzzles with over 1,000 dots.

A couple basic rules are provided in the instructions:

1. Try to use a relatively straight line when connecting dots for the most accurate picture
2. Follow numbers (or symbols) in numerical (or as the directions state) for the intended image to become visible.

The younger the user (or less skilled!) – the harder to use; however, instructions are provided that allow start up to be fairly easy. Puzzles that are not as intuitive provide more detailed instructions, while others leave it up to the user to figure out (in a good way!).

A couple factors negate five-star durability, although The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books are well-made. First, stating the obvious – once you’re done, you’re done; of course, this is half the fun of puzzles – marking completion, but that also causes the book to not provide use infinitely. The pages are most definitely heavier than the average puzzle book (not newspaper print quality at all!), but, through trial and error our users did find that a black fine point permanent marker would bleed through – other lighter weight markers worked a bit better (it’s recommended to use a marker so that the image can “pop” from the leftover numbers or symbols).

These aren’t your everyday dot-to-dot creations! Once complete, some of the images are actually pretty cool and even worth coloring in for some added fun (parents can create and younger ones can color!). Some of the images our reviewers worked on were still a bit abstract, but engaging.

Dot-to-Dot puzzles are known as a fun, quiet activity – and The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books certainly fit that bill. Where our reviewers felt functionality was the key was in the age range that the puzzles provide for – from our older kids to adults – everyone enjoyed the challenge. Additionally, these puzzles provide new, interesting ways our reviewers hadn’t seen to complete dot-to-dots. Our panel also made a note that for our younger users many of the puzzles would help teach sequencing in ways other than just numbers, through items such as symbols and arrows.

Just a couple dollars more than our panel guessed, but certainly in the right range for the amount of puzzles that are provided. Even though this puzzle book is a couple dollars more than everyday puzzles, users will get a bang for their buck.

Puzzle books aren’t new for sure; however, unique dot-to-dots are! Our reviewers felt they couldn’t give all five stars to The Greatest Dot-to-Dots in this category, but definitely did comment that they were a refreshing way to look at dot-to-dots.

Sitting in front of the television and just need something else to keep your brain moving? Check out The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books – they really do have something for most ages. They’re a challenge for the youngest and lesser skilled and fun for older and more skilled! Our panel agreed, if you know anyone who enjoys puzzles – or misses dot-to-dots from their childhood, The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books are a perfect purchase.

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