Patrick Merrell is a cartoonist, puzzle maker, and author whose work has appeared in hundreds of publications. He is a regular contributor to the New York Times crossword, the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, and the World Puzzle Championship. His other books include Bird Brainteasers and Coffee Time. He lives in Mt. Vernon, New York.

Books by Patrick Merrell

  • Farm Fun Games & Puzzles
    Dig into this farm frenzy activity book and kids ages 6-10 will be playing games and solving puzzles until the cows come home!

    From acclaimed puzzle creators Patrick Merrell and Helene Hovanec comes a barnyard full of fun farm-themed puzzles. From mazes and picture puzzles to brainteasers, word searches, jokes, riddles, and more, 200 puzzles will keep kids screen-free and entertained for hours:
    • Find the differences between two chicken coops
    • Match the baby animals to their parents
    • Unscramble words to label the parts of a pony
    • Try saying “Cows Count Crow Crowds” three times fast

    Activities increase in difficulty throughout the book, keeping kids engaged as they learn more on the farm. Lively and humorous cartoons of favorite barnyard animals encourage farm-loving kids page after page and teach them about life on the farm – keeping your future farmer happy as a pig in the mud for hours on end!
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  • Chicken Games & Puzzles
    Peck your way through chicken wire mazes and crack some codes while collecting eggs. Kids 6 to 9 will delight in this romp through a barnyard full of brainteasers, word searches, tongue twisters, picture puzzles, and much more. Rudy and Buttercup, two chickens who know their way around the farm, lead you through this engaging and informative book of chicken-themed fun. Cluck and cackle as you solve one fowl riddle after another.
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  • Bird Brainteasers
    Bird-watchers and puzzle fans alike will delight in this collection of word games, conundrums, and avian amusements by noted puzzler Patrick Merrell. Packed with bird-themed crosswords, visual puzzles, and the first-ever Birdoku challenges, Bird Brainteasers also features fascinating bird facts, trivia, and lore. Merrell engages the whole family with kid-friendly games that invite bird enthusiasts of all ages to get in on the fun. Full of whimsy and bursting with heart, this pocket puzzle book will bring a smile to the face of every bird-lover. 
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  • Pony Play Games & Puzzles
    Get in the saddle and ride your way through a variety of pony-themed mazes, crosswords, quizzes, and word searches. Jackie the Jack Russell terrier and Barney the barn owl guide children through a puzzle-packed tour around the horse farm. Their silly, horsey humor will bring laughs galore and keep kids engaged as they work their way through 100 fun brainteasers. Five chapters of zany activities progress in difficulty, encouraging children to stretch their abilities as they learn more about ponies. 
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  • Coffee Time
    Get buzzed on some java and challenge yourself with this book of coffee-based puzzles and brainteasers. Noted puzzlers Helene Hovanec and Patrick Merrell present more than 40 crosswords, word searches, graphic mazes, and Sudoku puzzles to solve alongside a strong cup of joe. Full of coffee trivia and quotations from history’s most famous coffee hounds, Coffee Time is a piquant and enticing blend that’s hard to resist. Pour a fresh cup and drink in the fun.  
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  • The Great Outdoors Games & Puzzles
    Bursting with exciting activities, The Great Outdoors Games & Puzzles will keep even the most adventurous children on their toes! Buckley the beaver and his pal Daffodil the duck lead the way on this intrepid expedition full of puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers created by master puzzle makers Helen Hovanec and Patrick Merrell. With plenty of fun facts and outdoor trivia, this lively and enriching activity book will keep children entertained for hours on end. 
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  • Barnyard Games & Puzzles
    The farm animals are getting up to some fun and games, and they’re looking for kids to join them! Children ages six and up will love these word games, picture puzzles, mazes, jokes, and brain teasers. Crawl through a Worm Squirm, find out how to tell if there are cows in your refrigerator, and use the letters in “Rhode Island Red” to fill in an entire crossword puzzle. Delight in hours of enjoyment packed with pig races, clever riddles, and coloring challenges.
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