Title: Bridge Puzzles for Children

Author: David H. Levin

ISBN: 0-9638001-2-4

Genre: Children’s Books

 The following review was contributed by:

Andrea Wren & CLICK TO VIEW Andrea Wren's Reviews

 Want to learn how to play bridge? If, like me, you have never played before, and wouldn’t have a clue where to start, then this book could help enlighten you before you next gather with the old ladies at the bridge group (even if it is aimed at children).

It is basically a series of puzzles, leading the reader through a play of the card game, by setting out the rules of bridge at the start. The puzzles begin quite simply, and get progressively more difficult through to the end. Hints are provided on each page and for each puzzle, to help the reader on their way, and the answers are given in the back of the book.

Aimed at older children rather than younger ones (who may find the lay out too lacking in colour and illustrations) my 12 year old son enjoyed trying out the first few puzzles of the book. His patience did wear a little thin, however, as he wanted different ‘sets’ of games that he could complete, rather than each puzzle being a play stage of one game. The book would be great if produced in a colourful version, with a more child-like format, to attract a wider group of young readers.

If the aim is to teach a child about the game of bridge, then ‘Bridge Puzzles for Children’ helps in a very practical and easy way, illustrating many of the dilemmas that a player in a real game would come across, and developing skills that would need to be utilised.

I would describe the book as methodical, rather than ‘fun’, but excellent reading for children who favour learning in a logical way. The layout is something of a downside, which could be brighter, but I feel the book does its job quite effectively and is certainly a good learning tool.