Riddle Me This!: Riddles and Stories to Challenge Your Mind

Invites young readers to guess the answers to traditional riddles from around the world and offers tales from Cuba, the republic of Georgia, England, and India that feature finding the right answers to a series of riddles.

Kindergarten-Grade 4-A delightful collection of folktales and riddles from around the globe. Some of the selections may be familiar to children, and some will be new, but all will challenge them to see the world in new ways. Included are "The Sphinx's Riddle," "The Mad Hatter's Riddle" from Alice in Wonderland, and "Gollum's Riddle" from The Hobbit, as well as a brainteaser from Jonathan Swift. "Two Travelers in Arkansas" (the United States), "The Snake of Dreams" (Russia), and "King John and the Bishop of Canterbury" (England) are among the stories that present readers with enigmas to solve. Source notes and an answer key appear at the end. Fatus's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are charming and childlike. Ranging in size from partial page to full spread, the vibrantly colored pictures give readers hints that will help them answer each riddle. This book makes a perfect choice for one-on-one sharing, and will also be enjoyed by independent readers.-Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA
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Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud. "What sits in the corner and travels around the world? A stamp." In a fine introduction to this large picture-book collection of riddles, riddle-poems, and riddle stories from many countries and cultures, storyteller Lupton notes that good riddles surprise us into thinking about the world in new ways. Of course, some of the riddles fall flat, but Lupton's blend of puzzle, trick, and joke is a winning combination, and Fatus' clear, bright ink-and-watercolor pictures in folk-art style are playful and clever, hinting at the answers without giving them away. In addition to the riddles and rhymes, there are six long stories, including a stirring, mysterious Sioux tale, "The End of the World." Lupton cites his various sources, tells how he has modified them, and gives the answers to the riddles. Storytellers will want this. Hazel Rochman
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