It feels like "Wimmelbilders", or hidden picture books, had their time in the sun in the '90s and early 2000's with the "Where's Waldo?" and "I-Spy" books being commonplace in any preschool or elementary school book fair. It makes complete sense that The Pokemon company, gaining popularity around the same time and featuring a HUGE cast of iconic critters, would hop on this trend.
The biggest miracle is how fantastic and beautiful the "Let's Find Pokemon!" books turned out, largely thanks to the artistic vision of Kazunori Aihara. But while the first 10-ish books in the series made it to North America, we lost "Let's Find!" privledges around gen 4.
Sure - the "I-Spy" trend had mostly died out by 2009....
It may surprise you to find out that there were more than just the "Let's Find!" books in the Pokemon Company's search and find catalog, especially considering the lack of official translations for the last 5 books. Why spend more effort making more Pokemon "Where's Waldo?" books when perfectly good ones already exist? Unfortunately, the answer to this is that very little effort seemed to be expended.
I do apologize to the artists and editors who worked on the "Pokemon: Eye See It!", "Pokemon Find 'em All!", and the (MANY)"Pokemon Seek and Find" books, I am sure that you were doing the best with what instruction and budget you were given, but one look at these books and you will see stark differance in quality and care.
Pokemon: Eye See it - Pokemon: Find 'em All!(I actually don't think this one is too bad!) - Pokemon: Seek and Find
vs.
random "Let's Find Pokemon!" scene
I'm obviously biased - the "Let's Find Pokemon!" books have been a fixation of mine for over a year now and "Let's Find Pokemon! Complete Edition" was one of my childhood prized possesions, but I can't help but feel like this comparison expresses more than words can
I feel like there is an underestimation of the children (target audience) reading these new books as well as a (honestly true) assumption that pokemon obsessed children will get their parents to buy anything with the Pokemon logo on it.
But I think we deserve better. And I think that "Let's Find Pokemon!" shows what we could have (and HAVE HAD), a series that both adults and children can find joyful and exciting.
But I digress...
I do think these books are worth attention and analysis. I want to know what speghetti was thrown at the wall, if it stuck, how long it stuck for, and why! I want to find the love hidden in these books and maybe learn a bit more about them in the process:)
So please enjoy! If you happen to find other Pokemon books of this genre PLEASE let me know through my Neocities page or email me at "Letsfindpokemon.found@gmail.com" with the subject line: "More books!"
More information to follow! Please also enjoy the information I was able to get on the "Let's Find Pokemon! Jumbo postcard book" (which I will get my hands on SOMEDAY) as I just think its neat :3 (and I feel like this archive wouldnt be complete without it.
Happy Searching, Trainers!
- Prof. Abel
Navigate this page!
Pokémon Find 'Em All: Welcome to Unova! (2001)
Pokemon Search and Find
Pokemon Seek and Find
Let's Find Pokemon! Postcard Book (2001)
Note: I do not (yet) own this book. Because no full scans exist of this book (that I know of), all pictures will be from online sellers and will be credited to the sellers.
Photo credit: Spokeco on Ebay
Other Covers:
Japanese cover : ポケモンをさがせ ポストカードブック
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Basic Info:
This book was published by VIZ Media LLC in North America on November 9, 2001 and by Shogakukan in Japan on August 1, 2000. It contains 24 pages / jumbo postcards - 5.8 x 8.3 inches. All art is credited to series illustrator Kazunori Aihara. These scenes contain Pokemon and locations from Kanto, as well as strongly featuring Ash / Satoshi from the Pokemon anime.
As detailed on the back - 8 of the postcards are scenes found in "Let's Find Pokemon! 1", 4 come together to form 1 large poster (the cover of the postcard book and Let's Find Pokemon! 1 without the text), 5 are (as far as I can tell) orignal illustrations, and the remaining 7 are an assortment of cards ranging from specific occassions (birthday and general celebrations), small activities (crossword puzzle, about me "mad lib", a word puzzle), to pokemon series concepts (Pokedex and evolution).
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Original Descriptions
English:
Japanese:
(google translated:We will use the drawings from the first volume of the popular picture book ``Find Pokemon!'' and compile them into postcards. In addition to picture book drawings, we will also include new illustrations by the author, Mr. Aihara, as well as quiz and puzzle cards. This is a great card to play with friends. )
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Credits
None yet, outside of Art/illustrations by Kazunori Aihara (stay tuned!)
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Postcards:
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Pokémon Find 'Em All: Welcome to Unova! (2001)
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Pokémon Search and Find (Section in progress)
The Official Pokémon Search and Find: Welcome to Alola Paperback – January 25, 2018
Where's Pikachu? A Search and Find Book: Official Pokémon Paperback – August 8, 2019
Pokémon: Where's Ash?: A Search and Find Adventure Paperback – April 29, 2021
Official Pokémon Search & Find: Adventures in Galar: A Search and Find Adventure Paperback – April 14, 2022
Pokemon Where’s Pikachu? A search & find book Paperback – June 8, 2023
Pokemon Where’s Eevee? An Evolutions Search and Find Book
(this box set is confusing) Pokémon Search and Find Adventure 8 Books Collection Set (The Alola Region, The Kanto Region, The Unova Region, The Kalos Region, Sinnoh Region, Johto Region, Hoenn Region & Galar Region) Paperback – July 25, 2024
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Pokémon Seek and Find (Section in progress)
Pokémon Seek and Find: Pikachu Hardcover – February 13, 2018Pokémon Seek and Find: Kanto Hardcover – February 13, 2018
Pokémon Seek and Find: Kanto Hardcover – February 13, 2018
Pokémon Seek and Find: Johto Hardcover – March 13, 2018
Pokémon Seek and Find: Hoenn Hardcover – March 13, 2018
Pokémon Seek and Find: Legendary Pokémon Hardcover – April 10, 2018
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