When the creative minds at Highlights for Children started to conceptualize one of their Hidden Pictures puzzle books last year, they wanted to create a long fold-out version that would encourage and allow kids and families to play together as a group.
For Highlights, the book they produced was their longest fold-out book, which got them thinking … "how does it stack up with the rest of the world?".
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On July 30, 2019, at the Highlights Press Editorial Offices in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, USA, the book was measured at 16 ft. 9 in. (5.10 m) and achieved the Guinness World Records title for the longest hidden picture puzzle fold-out book (commercially available).
“It was our hope that the Longest Hidden Pictures Puzzle Ever book would surprise and delight families with a larger-than-life way to enjoy our family-favourite Hidden Pictures puzzles,” said Highlights CEO, Kent Johnson. “We hadn’t initially made it our goal to set a new Guinness World Records title, but we’re thrilled that the creativity of the book’s design naturally led to breaking one!”
As part of the celebration and promotion of the book, Highlights held a press conference to formally announce the record with a certificate presentation at their headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, USA on November 20, 2019.
Kent Johnson accepted the certificate from Guinness World Records adjudicator, Callie Smith, in front of Highlights staff, a host of guests and children working on the puzzle directly in front of the podium.
“Like so many other kids growing up, Guinness World Records was meaningful,” reflected Johnson. “I was a science kid, so I just loved to see the variety of records. Whether it was the stranger or unique, the fastest, the biggest, or the strongest. I think it inspired me to think about all possibilities.”
The giant Hidden Pictures puzzle is the ultimate search-and-find challenge for puzzle lovers of all ages. The puzzle itself depicts a relay race that unfolds (literally) across a city as runners (which include a dog and a robot!) work their way over bridges, through busy parks, inside subway tunnels, and more, in a race to the finish line that kids and parents can work on together over time.
There are over 280 hidden objects to find and answer keys on the back of the pages, as well as a place where you can check off what you’ve found in the book.
“Highlights is a brand that has been around for a long time, Guinness World Records has been around for a long time, we are both iconic brands that so many people grew up with,” concluded Johnson. “So, for us to have a partnership and have this recognition, it’s just awesome for our brand, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
