Farrar Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 We're big fans of the Winston Breen books - they're about a kid who is really into puzzles of all kinds. The author also happens to be a homeschool dad, which is neat. Ds discovered that when he was working on a writing project (the book jacket from BW's Faltering Ownership, which includes a mini author bio). He's doing a kickstarter right now to make a weekly puzzle subscription service for kids. The puzzles in the Winston Breen books are really good - they challenge me but can usually be solved by the kids as well, which is sort of that sweet spot for puzzles - tough but not too tough. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericberlin/puzzle-your-kids 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EricBerlin Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I appreciate the mention -- thank you. If I may, let me add that at the Kickstarter site above I have several sample puzzles. They'll give you a pretty good idea of the kind of thing I'll be offering. I decided to start doing this when I couldn't find any decent puzzles to give to my own daughter, who is homeschooled. We work on the Monday NYT crossword each week, and she knows (or can figure out) many of the words... but it's not really intended for kids. There are too many 70s TV actors and government agency acronyms and the like. My puzzles will have a much more kid-friendly vocabulary, both in a puzzle's fill and in its clues. Print out the sample puzzles and try 'em on your kids. I hope they enjoy them, and I hope they want more! Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Awesome. Thank you. I shared on FB as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I appreciate the mention -- thank you. If I may, let me add that at the Kickstarter site above I have several sample puzzles. They'll give you a pretty good idea of the kind of thing I'll be offering. I decided to start doing this when I couldn't find any decent puzzles to give to my own daughter, who is homeschooled. We work on the Monday NYT crossword each week, and she knows (or can figure out) many of the words... but it's not really intended for kids. There are too many 70s TV actors and government agency acronyms and the like. My puzzles will have a much more kid-friendly vocabulary, both in a puzzle's fill and in its clues. Print out the sample puzzles and try 'em on your kids. I hope they enjoy them, and I hope they want more! Eric Thanks for popping in! We have enjoyed your books. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I had never heard of these books, but we're doing the first Winston Breen book as a read aloud right now because of this thread. I wish the website was working since almost all my kids would want the printable puzzles from the book. I can't get the puzzle pdfs to download. :crying: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 I had never heard of these books, but we're doing the first Winston Breen book as a read aloud right now because of this thread. I wish the website was working since almost all my kids would want the printable puzzles from the book. I can't get the puzzle pdfs to download. :crying: I seemed to remember that when we did it, the website in the back of the book didn't work, but I found them easily, so I checked - they seem to still be easy to find: http://winstonbreen.com/download_puzzle.html Isn't it a fun book? By boys loved all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Ok, we just pledged the kickstarter. Anyone else want to join us? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I seemed to remember that when we did it, the website in the back of the book didn't work, but I found them easily, so I checked - they seem to still be easy to find: http://winstonbreen.com/download_puzzle.html Isn't it a fun book? By boys loved all of them. It worked! The website was giving me an error code for the last several days, but today it worked. Thank you! My older boy loves puzzles, so when I saw your post, I knew I needed to get the book. All the kids, except ds#2, want to try to solve the puzzles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 I pledged it too the other day! It's a lot closer than it was when I last looked. Hopefully it'll get funded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Well, those sample puzzles are really great! Dd is trying them out now. I'm going to look up the books and consider the kickstart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanDiegoMom Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Count us in! Those are my ds's favorite books. He'll be so excited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EricBerlin Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Hey again. Just wanted to send a word of thanks to you folks on Well-Trained Mind forumi -- more backers for my Puzzle Your Kids Kickstarter have come from this Web site than from anywhere else. (With the exception of those two giants, Facebook and Twitter.) There's no doubt at this point that we'll reach the basic funding goal. Right now the plan is that subscribers will start seeing puzzles the first week of April. I think you guys, and your kids, will really enjoy them. Thanks again! Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 (edited) [M]ore backers for my Puzzle Your Kids Kickstarter have come from this Web site than from anywhere else. (With the exception of those two giants, Facebook and Twitter.) :hurray: :party: (Holy smokes, guys. WTM Forums got a mention in his Update #3! And, they made the first goal!) Edited January 26, 2016 by RootAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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