I Spy is a children's book series with texts written by Jean Marzollo and photographs by Walter Wick published by Scholastic Press. Each page contained a photo with objects in it and the riddles (written in rhyme) accompanying the photo stated which objects had to be found. To play I Spy, a child needs only the visual vocabulary of familiar objects.
Several video games based on the I Spy books are available for Windows PCs, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, App Store (iOS), Leapster, and the Game Boy Advance, including I Spy Spooky Mansion, I Spy Treasure Hunt, and I Spy Fantasy. These served as early examples of an increasingly popular hidden object game genre.
Background
The idea behind I Spy started after Wick arranged some items he was organizing and took a photo of them which caught the eye of Jean Marzollo, an editor for Scholastic. Marzollo wrote the rhymes and Wick took photographs of sets containing a variety of objects, many of which were handmade.
Authors
Jean Marzollo is the award-winning author of over 100 books, including Help Me Learn Numbers 0-20, Help Me Learn Addition, Help Me Learn Subtraction, Pierre the Penguin, Soccer Sam, Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, The Little Plant Doctor, In 1776, Mama Mama/Papa Papa, and I Am Water, as well as books for parents and teachers such as The New Kindergarten.
Walter Wick is the author and photographer of the best-selling series Can You See What I See?.
Carol Carson Devine, the book designer for the first I Spy books, is art director at Alfred A. Knopf Publishers. She has designed covers for books by John Updike, Joan Didion, Alice Munro, Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II.
Book list
For All Ages
Classics
- I Spy (1992)
- I Spy Christmas (1992)
- I Spy Fun House (1993)
- I Spy Mystery (1993)
- I Spy Fantasy (1994)
- I Spy School Days (1995)
- I Spy Spooky Night (1996)
- I Spy Treasure Hunt (1999)
Challengers
- I Spy Super Challenger! (1997)
- I Spy Gold Challenger! (1998)
- I Spy Extreme Challenger! (2000)
- I Spy Year-Round Challenger! (2001)
- I Spy Ultimate Challenger! (2003)
For Beginning Readers
Paperback Readers
- I Spy Funny Teeth (2003)
- I Spy a Dinosaur's Eye (2003)
- I Spy a School Bus (2003)
- I Spy a Scary Monster (2004)
- I Spy a Candy Cane (2004)
- I Spy Lightning in the Sky (2005)
- I Spy a Pumpkin (2005)
- I Spy a Penguin (2005)
- I Spy Santa Claus (2005)
- I Spy a Balloon (2006)
- I Spy a Butterfly (2007)
- I Spy Merry Christmas (2007)
- I Spy I Love You (2009)
- I Spy a Skeleton (2010)
- I Spy an Egg in a Nest (2011)
- I Spy an Apple (2011)
- I Spy Thanksgiving (2011)
- I Spy School (2012)
Phonics and More
- I Spy Phonics Fun Boxset (2007)
- I Spy A to Z (2009)
For Babies & Preschoolers
Board Books
- I Spy Little Book (2002)
- I Spy Little Animals (2002)
- I Spy Little Wheels (2003)
- I Spy Little Numbers (2003)
- I Spy Little Christmas (2003)
- I Spy Little Letters (2004)
- I Spy Little Bunnies (2004)
- I Spy Little Hearts (2004)
- I Spy Little Learning Box (2004)
- I Spy Little Toys (2005)
Square Paperbacks
- I Spy Letters (2006)
- I Spy Numbers (2006)
- I Spy Animals (2006)
- I Spy a Funny Frog (2007)
- I Spy Hearts (2007)
- I Spy Bunnies (2008)
Other Books
Sticker Books
- I Spy Sticker Book & Picture Riddles (2009)
Novelty Books
- I Spy a Christmas Tree
Special Books
- I Spy Spectacular (2010)
Games
CD-ROM
Old CD-ROM's
- I Spy (1997)
- I Spy Junior (1999)
- I Spy Spooky Mansion (1999)
- I Spy School Days (2000)
- I Spy Junior Puppet Playhouse (2000)
New CD-ROM's
- I Spy Treasure Hunt (2001)
- I Spy Fantasy (2003)
- I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe (2005)
- I Spy Mystery (2006)
- I Spy Fun House (2007)
Nintendo DS
- I Spy Fun House (2007)
- I Spy Universe (2010)
- I Spy Castle (2011)
Wii
- Ultimate I Spy (2008)
- I Spy Spooky Mansion (2010)
iPhone Apps
- I Spy Riddle Race (2009)
- I Spy Spooky Mansion (2009)
- "I Spy Arcade: Match Attack"
Leapster
- I Spy Challenger
- I Spy Treasure Hunt
Game Boy Advance
- I Spy Challenger
iDVD
- I Spy Treasure Hunt
- I Spy Spooky Mansion
- I Spy Fantasy
Tag
- I Spy Imagine That!
Awards
The I Spy series has won numerous awards [1]:
Books
- I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles (HC)
- California Children's Media Award, Honorable Mention
- NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
- "Definitely fun, and educational, too; this is a true eye-opener." â€" Los Angeles Times
- I Spy Christmas (HC)
- Parents' Magazine Best Book
- "Features gorgeously styled, full-spread color photos of many objects."â€"Publishers Weekly, starred review
- I Spy Fun House (HC)
- Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
- "Sumptuously styled.... A lot of mirror mazes and magic tricks."â€"Publishers Weekly
- I Spy Mystery (HC)
- Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, National Parenting Publication Award Honorable Mention
- I Spy Spooky Night
- American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
- "A must, in multiple copies, for any Halloween collection." â€" School Library Journal, starred review,
- "Spectacularly eerie pictures chock full of hidden objects."â€" Booklist
- I Spy Treasure Hunt
- 2001 Parent’s Choice Award
- "Intricate and ingenious."â€"Booklist
- "Marzollo's structured rhymes provide the clues while Wick's stunningly detailed miniature village provides the hidden answers for readers to seek out." â€" School Library Journal
- I Spy Phonics Fun Boxset
- 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner
Interactive
- I Spy Treasure Hunt (CD-ROM)
- 2001 Parents’ Choice Software Recommended Award
- Best Selling PC Games PlayDate 2001
- 2001 Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award
- The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval
- Choosing Children’s Software Best Picks Award
- The #1 Best-Selling Educational Title October 2001, NPD Intelect
- Kids First! Endorsement
- 2001/2002 BESSIE (Best Educational Software) Award
- 2002 Distinguished Achievement Award Finalist, Association of Educational Publishers
- 2002 Parenting Magazine’s Software of the Year Award
- I Spy Fantasy (CD-ROM)
- Top Choice Software Award, Museum of Science Boston
- All Star Software, Children’s Software & New Media Revue - 4.9 Rating
- The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
- Child Magazine Best Software & Video Games of 2003
- Parent & Child Teacher’s Pick Best Tech 2003
- Best Educational Software, Review Corner
- 2004 BESSIE (Best Educational Software) Award
- 2004 Parents’ Choice Gold Award
- 2004 Distinguished Achievement Award "Best Graphics", Association of Educational Publishers
- I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe (CD-ROM)
- National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award Winner 2004
- All Star Software, Children’s Software & New Media Revue - 5.0 Rating
- 2004 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award
- 2004 Top Choice Software Award, Museum of Science Boston
- I Spy Mystery (CD-ROM)
- Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 2006
- Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Software//CD-ROM/High-Tech Products for 2006
- Best Interactive Games of 2006, Child Magazine
- Best of 2006 Technology, Parent & Child Magazine
- 2006 Best Video Games for Kids, Best PC Puzzler â€" Nick Jr. Magazine
- Editor’s Choice, Children’s Technology Revue
- I Spy Fun House (CD-ROM)
- National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
- I Spy Treasure Hunt (Leapster)
- National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
- Parents’ Choice Silver Award
- I Spy Fun House (Nintendo DS)
- The National Parenting Center’s 2008 Seal of Approval
- Kids First! Endorsement
- Parents’ Choice Recommended
- Ultimate I Spy (Wii)
- iParenting Media Award
- Parents’ Choice Gold Award
TV
- I Spy TV Series
- 2004 USA Film Festival â€" Finalist
- Telly Awards â€" Finalist
- Parent’s Choice Award â€" Silver Honor Award
- Chicago International Television Award â€" Certificate of Merit
- 2003 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival â€" Certificate of Merit
- Chicago International Television Award â€" Certificate of Merit â€" Program
- Chicago International Television Award â€" Certificate of Merit â€" Series
- Daytime Emmy Award â€" Winner â€" Individual Animation (Pete Sluszka)
- International Film & Video Festival â€" Screening & 3rd Place certificate
- Literacy in Media Awards â€" Finalist
- Parent’s Choice Award â€" Silver Medal
- Shenandoah University Parent’s Guide â€" Recommended
- USA Film Festival â€" Finalist
Games & Puzzles
- I Spy Preschool Game
- 1998 Canadian Toy Testing Council Three Stars
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
- Parents Choice Approved
- 2002 PlayDate Top-Selling Board Game
- I Spy Flip 5
- 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award
- I Spy Ready, Set, Silhouette
- 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
- I Spy Bingo Game
- 2003 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
- Canadian Toy Testing Council Three Stars
- Creative Child Magazine "Preferred Choice"
- I Spy Memory Game
- 1995 Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products
- Duracell Kids Choice National Toy Award
- Learning Magazine Teacher’s Choice Award
- National Parenting Publication, Honors Award
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seal Award
- Parenting Magazine Best Toys of the Year
- Parents Choice Gold Seal of Excellence
- Parents Magazine Best Toys & Games
- Working Mother Magazine
- The Right Toys for the Right Age
- 1997 Specialty Retailer Top Toys
- 2004 Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Products
- I Spy Travel Game
- 2003 Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Vacation Products
- 2002 Parents Choice Gold Seal of Excellence
- I Spy 3D
- 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seal Award
- 2007 Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products
- IParenting Media Award
- sCanadian Toy Council 2 Stars
- I Spy Eagle Eye Game
- 2006, Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Games
- Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products
- National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
- National Parenting Publications
- Honors, Creative Child Magazine "Preferred Choice"
- iParenting Media Award
- Canadian Toy Testing Council Three stars
- 2007 Learning Express Best Game
- I Spy Private Eye
- 2008 National Parenting Seal of Approval Award
- Creative Child Preferred Choice Award
- Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products
- Dr. Toy’s Top 10 Games
- NAPPA Award Winners
- I Spy Spooky Night
- 2004 Canadian Toy Testing Council Award Three Stars
- Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice
- Educational Games
- Dr. Toy’s Best Smart Play/Smart Toy Products
- Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products
- iParenting Media Award
- Nick Jr. Family Magazine Top 50
- I Spy Monster Workshop Puzzle (63 Pc)
- 1998 Working Mother Magazine
- The Right Toys for the Right Age
- I Spy 1,2,3 Floor Puzzle
- 1998 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
- I Spy Go Fish Card Game
- 1999 Canadian Toy Testing Council Award Three Stars
- Crayola Kids Magazine "The Years Best Toys"
- Women’s Day "Top Toys Under $10"
- I Spy Snap Card Game
- 1999 Canadian Toy Testing Council Award Three Stars
- Crayola Kids Magazine’s "The Years Best Toys"
- 2000 Southeastern Wisconsin "Big Cheese" Toy Test
External links
- Jean Marzollo Website I Spy Page
- Walter Wick Website I SPY Page
- Scholastic I SPY Page
References
