March 1 Deadline for “Find Waldo Local”

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Next Thursday, March 1, is the last day for indie booksellers to sign up for the July celebration of Find Waldo Local, a Shop Local promotion for the entire community, co-sponsored by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association.

Created by Candlewick to commemorate Waldo’s 25th anniversary, Find Waldo Local aims to spread the Shop Local message by livening up Main Streets nationwide with a month-long scavenger hunt to find Waldo hidden in 20 local businesses. The community-wide activity is open to kids, parents, and Waldo-lovers of all ages.

Candlewick is offering special terms on supporting orders and $50 in additional co-op, and will send a free kit containing everything to launch Find Waldo Local. Materials include a 40-inch Waldo standee, 20 mini Waldo standees, 20 Shop Local window clings, 220 “I Found Waldo” cards, and bag stuffers. Candlewick will also provide free prizes for participants, including 100 “I Found Waldo” buttons, five copies of Where’s Waldo? The Phenomenal Postcard Book, and one copy of Where’s Waldo? The Complete Collection box set.

Find Waldo Local is a natural fit for indie booksellers, who have been at the forefront of the Shop Local movement. At Riverwalk Books in Chelan, Washington, Libby Manthey said, “‘Eat. Sleep. Read. LOCAL’ is a big red sign in my store. Waldo is loved by many for many years. [Find Waldo Local] is a perfect combination. Just another fun way to talk ‘the local.’ It will be a fun family activity. It will reinforce Shop Local with kids.”

Summer Moser of Summer’s Stories in Kendallville, Indiana, said, “We are always looking for ways to bring people downtown to shop on Main Street and what better way than this event?  It’s a great event for families.”

Ellen Richmond of the Children’s Book Cellar in Waterville, Maine, loves “the idea of a city-wide activity that encourages [her] customers (and, hopefully, new customers) to have fun investigating downtown Waterville.”

Complete details are provided in A Find Waldo Local brochure available here. Bookstores must sign up by March 1 at Indiebound.org/findwaldolocal and agree to additional terms listed here. Participation is capped at 250 stores.