When I was a kid, I really loved the Where’s Waldo? books because not only did they keep me busy for a long time, but it was fun to make up stories for the craziness that went on inside.
To this day, I still enjoy looking at them. I marvel at Martin Handford’s talent to create a world full of characters.
All these characters are busy in the pictures. They’re working, goofing around, getting into mischief, trying to save themselves from calamity, schmoozing, etc.
Despite all the busy shenanigans going on, the reader is asked to seek out Waldo and his travelling companions and not to get distracted in this quest.
I think this is a good message in life. Every single day, we meet tons of people – on the bus, in the store, in a line-up, at the bank, and other places.
Many remain strangers, but we choose with who to build long-lasting relationships.
Even when life feels like an ant farm filled with people who can sometimes appear cold and heartless, it’s important to find and surround yourself with the right company. This is our fantastic journey.
I thought this would be fun to share especially since Hallowe’en is quickly approaching. You’ll see vampires, witches, mummies, and skeletons!
Below are some photos I took from 2 pages in Where’s Waldo?: The Fantastic Journey by Martin Handford.
Can you find Odlaw, Wizard Whitebeard, Wenda, Woof, and Waldo?
A good (wo)man is hard to find! I’m thankful that I have met so many wonderful people through blogging! (And I’m relieved that none of you have fangs or thirst for blood…well, that I know of. :P)
My favourite part? The two cats in love even though their owners clearly disapprove. True love conquers all!
What was your favourite part? Do you still have your Where’s Waldo books?
So cute! I found them all except the little dog. I really liked the evil and good witches cats in love too. Cute post and it kept me entertained for like 5 minutes lol. 😀
Krista/ Hebridean Sprite recently posted: Autumn Favourites
Hey Krista!
With the dog, you don’t actually see Woof entirely…just a small part of him. It was tricky because I was also looking for the whole dog. Try again. 🙂 I bet you’ll find him.
Glad you found it entertaining! 😀
Great post! I couldn’t agree more. 🙂 I love how you find the profound in the mundane. That’s a really special talent to have. No wonder you’re an optimist! 😉
It was so much fun looking for all 5! Takes me back to when I was a kid. I used to read these at the library along with The Adventures of Tin Tin comic books. This was probably the only picture book that I enjoyed thoroughly! Happy Sunday, Mary! 😀
Carmela recently posted: Revlon Facets of Fuschia
Hey Carmela!
Glad you took the challenge and sought out the travelers! 🙂 Children’s books like this one are great at reminding us also that although we work really hard, play is a vital component for happiness. Actually, when I feel down, I usually pull a kids’ book off my shelf. Amazing how fast it lifts my spirits.
You know, one day I’ll have to head over to the library or bookstore and look at those Tin Tin books. As a kid, for some reason, I didn’t get to read them. And it’s strange because I remember a lot of my friends reading them.
Happy Sunday to you, too, Carmela! 😀
Wow this is an amazing post. Thank you for sharing. It’s so true. Everyday, we pass by people some whom may indirectly affect us. Some who, if you smile at them, may change their outlook on the day.
I found each of them. This was a lot of fun. Thanks for being an awesome blogger!!
xoxox
Alexis recently posted: Haul haul haul!!!
Hey Alexis!
I’m so happy that you spent the time to look for each of the characters in the pictures. 🙂 (I had to refrain from taking even more photos – there was just soooo much going on in just those 2 pages!)
Thank you for being such a positive and supportive visitor. It definitely puts more wind in my sails to continue when I read great feedback like this.
Isn’t it amazing? Sometimes just saying hi to a stranger could literally change their mood. There were a few times I can think of off the top of my head where a complete stranger was super friendly to me (without having any ulterior motive). It truly made my day. Small acts of kindness make the biggest difference.
Oh my! I so am one of those people you write about!!!! GASP.
I was sooo busy looking for Waldo that I didn’t stop to appreciate the surrounding shenanigans!!!!! Why haven’t I stopped??? Dracula is playing bowling with tombstones!!! Hahahaha
I don’t have any of these but now MUST start collecting. I saw them at Costco… I guess a trip is in store… A trip into the wonderful world of Waldo!
Thank you for another incredible post to make me slow down in life and look at something in a different light (I’m now sky gazing, evaluating restaurant/store ceilings)… 😉
Marta recently posted: One Week re-cap
Hey Marta!
Yeah, Dracula sure knows how to have a good time…when he’s not sucking somebody’s blood. 😉
Oh my gosh – your kids are going to love these books, too! Great choice! And on the inside, at the back of each book, there are checklists of additional things that you can look for in each scene, so it’s not just about looking for the travelers. If I had a children and if we ever went on a road trip, this is definitely the kind of book to bring in case they get bored of looking at the road or playing real-life Eye Spy. 🙂
Hehe, I’m so glad that you’re now enjoying all these things…but especially the part about looking at ceilings. I know it may sound odd for me to say it, but I feel like people don’t do it enough. There are so many great designs up there.
(This little habit of mine is something that my boyfriend noticed early on when we first started dating. Hehe, and it’s funny that I like looking up because he is also waaaay taller than me – by an entire foot! So I also look up at him, too. 😉 )
These bring back lots of good memories. It fun seeing all the weird things happening and going crazy trying to find the characters haha (finding Waldo among an entire spread of “fake” Waldos how did I ever do that)
Love the message behind your post! Your personality and optimism is really where I find your blog special 🙂 I’m so glad I found you through your giveaway!
lulu recently posted: Day 3: Yellow Nails
Yellow: OPI The “It” GirlWhite: Essie…
Hey lulu!
Oh, those scenes with fake Waldos always frustrated me. Haha, the first time I saw it when I was a kid, I was prepared to spend all day, if necessary, to find the real Waldo. And isn’t it crazy how the artist could draw nearly the same character so many times and not make him boring? It was so cool looking at a sea of Waldos!
Glad that you appreciated my message. And I’m also thankful that you found me and have stuck around even after the giveaway ended.
P.S. I’m not on tumblr (yet), but I looked at your tumblr post. I like that nail design! Great job!
Haha it was!! I remember that you had to look for the one waldo without defects and in the end it was something about the number of stripes on his sock… and thank you very much! That post is actually my friend’s we both post on the tumblr 🙂 (mine are signed with a L)
Get a tumblr there’s so much interesting stuff on there! And some really inspirational nail art blogs too
Yeah, I really need to get an account there. Hehe, soon it’ll take me 10 minutes just to log into all the accounts I have. 😛
I like your take on the wheres waldo books! They were one of the most popular books to get from the library when I was a child. I used to be so good and could easily find him, now not so much! They are tons of fun though and keep you very occupied 🙂
Amber recently posted: FOTD: Go with the Flow
Hey Amber!
Glad to hear it! 🙂 Hehe, and I know what you mean. When I was a kid, finding him was also a snap. Now it seems that I have to try harder to find him. But when I do…it makes me feel so good. The simple joys in life, right? 😉
Hi, I’m Whitney Devine I am a student at Capital Area Career Center. I was wondering where you found the “Where’s Waldo” the fantastic journey image and whether or not I can use the image unless it’s copyrighted. Thank you,
Whitney Devine
Hey Whitney Devine!
All the images in this post were photos taken by me. I bought the Where’s Waldo book featured.
If you’d like to use the images from my blog post on a not-for-profit blog or website, feel free to, as long as you provide credit via a link back to this blog. 🙂