Yvonne
Clicking on the puzzle title will link you to the Amazon page, where by hovering your mouse over the image there, you can magnify individual sections.
Following the huge popularity of the original Bizarre Bookshop, our UK development team persuaded Colin Thompson to create this new design especially for us.
There are some fascinating titles just waiting to be discovered on the shelves of this very Bizarre Bookshop. Many may remind you of well-known works, but with a quirky difference, thanks to Colin Thompson’s brilliant imagination.
So as you assemble the jigsaw you’ll reveal titles such as Five Go Stockbroking; The Lion The Witch And The Modern and Last Croissant in Paris.
There are also curious creatures, weird windows and magical worlds hidden amongst the colourful tomes. Look very closely and you’ll even see the original Bizarre Bookshop puzzle pack. Entertainment, amusement and hopefully delight await you.
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The Artist – COLIN THOMPSON
Colin Thompson’s unique work is packed with fun and intrigue, objects and events, as can be seen in his hugely popular puzzle designs.
He is also a well known children’s author and illustrator, with many published picture books, collections of poetry and novels to his name.
Colin’s lifestory is unique, interesting and very personally told, so to attempt a ‘potted’ version here, I would never be able to do justice to the person and his amazing talent.
You really should visit Colin’s website and be prepared to be dazzled and amazed at some of the vivid imagery and fantastic imagination, which leaps off the page at you. I’ll leave a link to the front page and another to the jigsaw page, where if you scroll down (be sure not to miss anything on the way!), you’ll get to the the mammoth 18,000 piece Shelf Life jigsaw, which should be out this year. Of course you should also check out that all important biography page!
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RAVENSBURGER PUZZLES
Made in Germany, Ravensburger premium quality jigsaw puzzles provide a unique experience, resulting from decades of development and an exclusive manufacturing process that uses our own specially engineered cardboard and finest linen-structured paper to ensure sturdy, glare-free puzzle pieces. Our cutting tools are designed and crafted by hand to provide the ultimate, modern, interlocking mechanism so that no two pieces are alike. You can feel our Softclick Technology in every piece.
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IN MY OPINION!
A Bookish Time For Puzzlers or A Puzzling Time For Booklovers?
I know that I have only very limited amounts of quality, relaxing time, in which to continue adding to whichever current jigsaw puzzle I am working on. However even taking that into account, I can’t think of a single jigsaw that has taken me quite so long to finish and with such growing frustration and annoyance with myself, for my seeming ineptitude.
Having said all that, this was one of the most fulfilling, satisfying and enjoyable of jigsaws to complete, in my desire for that all important quality, difficulty and interest factor, of the finished scene!
For me, this has to be 90%+, down to the imagination, unique imagery and content, and stunning use of colour and design, by the puzzle’s artist, Colin Thompson. His website is a collage of colour and images, to capture and enthrall just about everyone, no matter what their age. His stunning range of children’s books and poems, will ensure that younger readers will be able to experience this talent for themselves, well into the future, as well as hopefully keeping the art of puzzle making alive, in this ever growing technological age.
I am really longing to get my hands on the 18,ooo piece Shelf Life jigsaw, which Colin and Ravensburger plan to release this year, however in reality, that simply isn’t going to happen, unless I can commandeer one of our outbuildings to accommodate it and win the lottery to be able to afford the no doubt hefty pricetag!
Long may the collaboration between Ravensburger and Colin Thompson continue, this partnership definitely offers the dedicated puzzler, a win-win situation!
Fellow blogger Penny, over at ‘Puzzle Momma’, recently completed ‘Bizarre Bookshop Number 1’, although as something of jigsaw puzzle aficionado, she makes it sound rather too easy for my liking! Check out the 24,000 piece monster she is currently working on and you’ll see why a mere 1,000 pieces is something of a doddle for her!
This item was purchased by me from the charity shop where I volunteer, supporting my local hospice.
Whilst I personally do not agree with ‘rating’ a purchase, as the overall experience is all a matter of personal taste, which varies from person to person, some review sites do demand a rating value, so when this review is posted to such a site, it will attract a 5 out of 5.
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Well you know I love this entry! That looks like SUCH a fun puzzle. As I’ve told you before, I try to place at least one or two pieces daily in order never to let a puzzle defeat me. However, on that pizza I recently worked, there were some days I was thrilled to accomplish even that. Looks can be deceiving, so I’m not sure if I’d find this difficult or not. I know I’m going to have to check out it more closely, along with its companion puzzle. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Kelly,
This was indeed a fun puzzle to do, despite the frustration and there was definite fun to be had checking out all those great book titles, once it was finished.
Actually, thinking about it some more, not only is Colin Thompson one heck of an artist, but he also managed to manipulate all those book titles, which in itself, must have taken him forever!
I am still looking at the pile of jigsaw puzzles I have, trying to decide which one to start next!
I look forward to seeing what you are working on right now 🙂
I’ve noticed an increase in bookish themed puzzles and am loving them! I’ve always enjoyed puzzles and am trying to get back to them. Love this one!
Hi Katherine,
Things have certainly moved on in the jigsaw puzzle world, from the time when just about the only theme was the traditional ‘chocolate box’ image!
Some of the artists are so imaginative with their use of theming and colour, offering life-long puzzlers like you and I, a fantastic choice of size and style, to suit almost every budget and space!
I hope that you discover your puzzling mojo again, very soon and I look forward to sharing and comparing our puzzling posts 🙂
My sister and I love to work on jigsaw puzzles when we get together and Ravensburger is our favorite puzzle company by far. She’s a reader too, so I think we NEED this puzzle!
Hi Kathy,
My MIL is about the only other family member we have, who is even remotely interested in jigsaw puzzles. Sometimes when we go down to visit her, I’ll have a go at adding a few pieces to the puzzle she has on the go, however many of them are ones which I have already done and passed on to her, so it’s not quite the same!
‘Bizarre Bookshop 2’, will be winging its way onwards at our next trip and I shall definitely be on the lookout for any more puzzles by Colin Thompson. I do agree that Ravensburger is right up at the top of the tree when it comes to jigsaw puzzle quality and presentation, although Gibson’s aren’t bad either!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you have recovered from your trip, checking out all those great giveaways has probably helped some 🙂
I haven’t done a puzzle in a long time (I usually leave that to my grandad), however I love this one. It looks great and I think the work is worth it 🙂
Hi Nikki,
What could be better than the combination of a jigsaw puzzle and a bookshop?
Be sure to check out some of those crazy book titles though!
Two very relaxing pastimes and both highly addictive!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that things are well with you 🙂
I know you love jigsaw puzzles, and that Bizarre Bookshop one is surely a piece of art.
I visited the jigsaw page and wow! Such cool puzzles, that Shelf Life one looks awesome as well.
I get fidgety if I have to sit and focus on something so small and detailed, I do not know why. I surely could not complete such intricate puzzles. Hubby and I did one ages ago though.
Glad you are enjoying yourself 🙂
Hi Naida,
Colin Thompson is definitely a very talented artist, with a real flair for colour and presentation. He also certainly has a very vivid imagination and a great sense of fun!
I definitely haven’t got the space for an 18,000 piece jigsaw, so I can only look longingly at the picture of ‘Shelf Life’, on the website. I think I would have the patience to sit and work my way through it, but there is no saying that the divorce might not come through first, if I took too long over it, as hubbie definitely doesn’t share my passion for jigsaw puzzles 🙂
I hope that things are going well for you, it is great to hear from you 🙂