London — a world guide
The sky over London is doing its favorite thing: being softly, politely grey. Nobody minds. Big Ben stands tall over the whole scene, a red double-decker bus waits at the curb, and a little red telephone box glows like it is keeping a secret. Down on the pavement, pigeons strut about the way pigeons do — chests out, very busy, going nowhere in particular.
Somewhere in that cheerful crowd is the one critter on your poster, and your job (well, your little one's job) is to spot it. There's no timer breathing down anyone's neck and no way to lose — just a happy jumble of faces and the one that matches. And because this is London, the crowd keeps rather distinguished company. A magical kitten, a time-travelling tabby, a detective dog and one very important corgi are all hiding in plain sight, waiting for a sharp-eyed kid to find them. Mind the pigeons on your way in.
What to look for in London
Nine secret Londoners are tucked into this crowd, and most of them blend right in — a tap when you spot one adds it to your collection. (The usual world-hopping wanderers, like Cameow Sandiego and Schrödinger's Kit, drop by London too.) Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Hairy Pawter — a magical kitten with a lightning-bolt whisker mark and a Griffin-paw heart.
- Doctor Mew — a time-travelling tabby who zips about in a little blue box; bowties are cool.
- Sherlock Bones — London's greatest detective dog, who already knows the treats are in your pocket.
- The Golden Snootch — a tiny golden flutter-ball on whirring wings; it only visits for a few seconds, so be quick.
- The Royal Corgi — a very important dog whose very important job is looking regal. Belly rubs graciously accepted.
- Earl Grey-cat — a frightfully posh gentleman-cat who naps with one lump and a splash of milk, pinkie paw out.
- Big Ben Hound — a punctual pup who barks once on the hour and is never, ever late for dinner.
- Winston Pawchill — a stout, brave bulldog who never, never, never gives up on a good nap.
- Freddie Purrcury — a show-stopping rockstar cat with a four-octave meow.
Tips for grown-ups
- Point at the big landmarks first — Big Ben, the double-decker bus, the telephone box — and name them together. "Double-decker" is a wonderful mouthful to practice.
- Count the strutting pigeons out loud. It slows little eyes down, and a slower look makes the special critter easier to find.
- Most of London's hidden friends blend into the crowd, so this is a world for cozy, unhurried looking rather than fast tapping — a good wind-down pick.
- If a tiny golden flutter-ball whirs past, that's the Golden Snootch. It streaks away after a few seconds, so tap fast — honestly, this one may be the grown-up's job.
One more thing…
Real-life fun fact: "Big Ben" is actually the name of the great bell inside the tower, not the tower itself. Our Big Ben Hound doesn't mind the mix-up — a pup who barks on the hour answers to almost anything.