Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Find Waldo Local [7], Candlewick’s longtime program supporting independent bookstores and promoting the shop local movement, is going digital for 2020. Candlewick and the American Booksellers Association have worked together to create a turnkey digital Waldo scavenger hunt for independent bookstores to host this summer. 

This year’s digital campaign is running the entire summer, from July 1 to August 31.

Materials for Find Waldo Local Digital were distributed in the June box mailing. Additional resources are available on BookWeb.org [8] and in the Where’s Waldo? At Home [9] web portal. No registration is required, there are no order minimums, and all ABA member stores are invited to join in.

Here are some of the ways independent booksellers are already participating:

• CoffeeTree Books & Fuzzy Duck [10] in Morehead, Kentucky, posted to Instagram [11]: “Have you found Waldo today? He is looking for things that would be helpful for his time at Camp CoffeeTree! #WheresWaldo [12] #FindWaldoLocal [13]”
• Dog Ear Books [14] in Russellville, Arkansas, posted to Instagram [15]: “We have a Monday surprise for you! From now until the end of August our digital #FindWaldoLocal [13] is LIVE! Just follow the link in our bio and you can download all the activities to start your very own Waldo hunting from the comfort of your own home!”
• Old Firehouse Books [16] in Fort Collins, Colorado, posted to Instagram [17]: “Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend. Find Waldo Digitally Day 3 comin’ atcha! Your task: identify what children’s book Waldo is hanging out in. Remember, answers are submitted on a monthly basis, so keep track, and please DON’T POST ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS! Happy Waldo-seeking!”
• The Briar Patch [18] in Bangor, Maine, posted to Twitter [19]: “Looking for a free family-friendly activity that will also support your local independent bookstore? Then join us for Virtual Find Waldo Local! Stop by and pick up your Find Waldo Local color & cut out instruction sheet on our curbside table.”
• Horton’s Books & Gifts [20] in Carrollton, Georgia, posted to Twitter [21]: “Guess who’s back? Waldo, of course! We found him trying to find a good and safe hiding spot.”
• Arts & Letters Bookstore [22] in Granbury, Texas, posted to Twitter [23]: “If you find Waldo in our store, bring him to us and we will give you a free coloring sheet to take home! Waldo will be hidden in plain sight, so there is no need to search through books or inside objects!”
• Byrd’s Books [24] in Bethel, Connecticut, posted to Twitter [25]: “Where’s Waldo in Bethel?”
• Bookish: An Indie Shop for Folks Who Read [26] in Fort Smith, Arkansas, posted to Instagram [27]: “This guy is stoked about our virtual author event next week. Pick up your #wherewaldo [28] and join in the #socialdistancingparty [29].”

Email [email protected] [30] with questions.