Solvers tackle puzzle books.
In the picturesque town of Anrath, Germany, a unique and engaging reading promotion project has made a comeback. "Codeword: READ! - Books from the Box" was initially conceived by Anja Kuypers in 2019 and has since gained nationwide attention.
The project invites families, groups, or individuals to embark on a literary adventure in the fresh air. Five vibrantly painted metal boxes, each containing a picture book, stand around the Stautenhof. To unlock the mystery within each box, one must solve a riddle.
Each book is housed in a weatherproof envelope, complete with a pen and a notepad. After reading, riddle questions about the book's text must be correctly answered to obtain the number code for the next box on the literary path. The first three-digit number code can be found on flyers at the Stautenhof or on the website www.kapitelreise.de/aktuelles/codewort-lesen.
Once the code is cracked, the book is returned to the envelope and the metal box, and the numbers on the combination lock are shifted. Subsequent codes are derived from the book contents, and riddle questions about the book's text must be correctly answered to obtain the next box's number code. The riddle questions are located at the end of each book.
This year, the project has been reinstated, just in time for the holiday season. The project can be started, interrupted, and resumed at any time. Unfortunately, in the past, vandalism led to the dismantling of the project.
To encourage participation, all children who submit a filled-out card at the Stautenhof will receive a slice of sausage or cheese as a reward. Each metal box contains a picture book that can be read independently of the other books.
In 2020, the project was nominated for the reading prize. If you need up-to-date details, we recommend contacting local cultural or community centers in Anrath or the organisers of the "Codeword: READ!" project directly for the most recent information.
Engaging with the revitalized "Codeword: READ! - Books from the Box" project in Anrath, Germany, offers a unique blend of home-and-garden and education-and-self-development experiences. As families, groups, or individuals embark on a literary adventure around the Stautenhof, they engage in learning and problem-solving through the riddles found in each picture book housed within the vibrantly painted metal boxes.
