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Kids can help hunt for Waldo in area stores

Waldo is on the loose again this month in Naperville, Downers Grove and La Grange.

The familiar character decked out in red and white stripes is hiding in more than 50 stores in the three towns as part of the national "Where's Waldo? on Main Street, USA" campaign sponsored by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association.

"What could be more fun than finding Waldo, but finding Waldo at local, independent businesses in your communities," says Becky Anderson of Anderson's Bookshop and former American Bookseller Association president. "Find Waldo celebrates the uniqueness, fun and strength of community."

This is the national scavenger hunt's seventh year, and those who spot Waldo can win prizes, including buttons, books and more.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a "Find Waldo" passport in Naperville, Downers Grove or La Grange with the names of all the participating businesses. Waldo seekers then fan out to visit at least 12 or more locations and when they find him at a participating business, that find is marked on the child's passport. With a minimum of 12 finds, a child will be entered for a prize drawing on Aug. 1. The Grand Prize is a complete six-volume set of Waldo books and other Waldo-themed prizes.

Other gifts are offered by local businesses.

Participants who reach the 12-store goal will receive a Waldo button and $1 discount coupon.

Waldo seekers also may upload photos of their Waldo fun to #WaldoNaperville, #WaldoDownersGrove or #WaldoLaGrange.

Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. For the past 30 years, "Where's Waldo" books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now more than 55 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they've been translated into 18 languages.

In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, decided to team up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores across the country, including Anderson's Bookshops, to have fun and encourage people to visit local businesses. There is no charge to participate and the game lasts for the entire month.

For more information about hunting for Waldo in Naperville, call Anderson's Bookshop at (630) 355-2665; in Downers Grove, call (630) 963-2665; and in La Grange, call (708) 582-6353.

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