Top products from r/tipofmytongue

Possibly the Look-Alikes books by Joan Steiner?

"Come along! Jump aboard! Grab hold of my hand. / We're crossing the border into Look-Alike Land." So invites the opening lines of Joan Steiner's Look-Alikes, a three-dimensional miniature metropolis that's meticulously, ingeniously crafted out of everyday objects from mousetraps to milk bones. At first glance, a fancy hotel lobby seems just that, but take a closer look and you'll see a sofa made of gloves. In a sunny street scene, a building façade is laden with crackers, crayons form fence posts, and the tree is shaded by a stalk of broccoli. Children and adults alike will love poring over each picture, most of which contain more than 100 objects cleverly arranged to delight and deceive. Kids will easily identify many household objects, and the ones they may not recognize--a hosiery garter or flour sifter, for example--they'll learn from either the guide in the back or from a helpful parent."

"Joan Steiner's "Look-Alikes" is endlessly interesting for kids and adults alike. This self-taught artist employs everyday items--tea bags, Fig Newtons, miniature hair combs, matches, tissues, strips of licorice, graham crackers, torn-up sponges, pencils, and so much more--to create the most astonishingly lifelike scenes.
You can see everything from a port city with boats arriving to a soda shop to a candy store to a classroom, each filled to brimming with trinkets and everyday articles of every kind, each employed as something other than what it really is "

https://www.amazon.com/Look-Alikes-More-You-Look-See/dp/0316713481

https://www.amazon.com/Look-Alikes-Christmas-More-You-Look/dp/0316811874/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZJ8EGQ4WSTVWA1SZ7GPX

https://www.amazon.com/Look-Alikes-Seek-Search-Puzzles-Steiner/dp/0316074071/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511323926&sr=1-3&keywords=joan+alikes+joan+steiner

https://www.amazon.com/Look-Alikes-Jr-Everyday-Objects-Hardcover/dp/B01070ZMH8/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511323926&sr=1-5&keywords=joan+alikes+joan+steiner

Maybe The Boxes, by William Sleator

>School Library Journal:
Gr 5-8--Orphan Anne Levi tolerates her distant Aunt Ruth, with whom she lives, but adores her mysterious Uncle Marco, who flits in and out of their lives at irregular intervals. When he gives Anne two unusual boxes with strict instructions not to open them, curiosity gets the better of her. Opening the first one, she releases an unusual crablike creature that grows and reproduces rapidly; the life form and its offspring construct a fantastic palace in the basement and communicate with Anne telepathically. Dismayed by what she has done, Anne opens the second box, which she had hidden in her closet, revealing a clocklike object that has the ability to slow down time at the basement creatures' request, but only when Anne agrees to carry messages between the creatures and the clock. Unfortunately, the owners of a suspicious development company are intrigued by the time slowdowns and increase their ominous efforts to control Anne, her home, and the strange devices within it. Through her adventures, Anne grows into a self-confident teenager who is able to stand up to her overbearing aunt and trust her own instincts. Reminiscent of the complexity of Sleator's early science fiction, The Boxes introduces intriguing characters and unique situations but it leaves many loose ends and unanswered questions. Readers never find out just who or what Uncle Marco is, where he and Anne go when they enter the palace at the end, or where the boxes came from in the first place. The Boxes may be popular with Sleator's fans, but be prepared for requests for a sequel.--Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA

http://www.amazon.com/Dragonology-Complete-Book-Dragons-Ologies/dp/0763623296

I have it in German, really amazing book, thank you for reminding me of it even if it isn't what you searched for! :D

Yeah, definitely sounds like Meanwhile by Jason Shiga https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Path-Possibilities-Graphic-Novels/dp/0810984237

Ok so I might be really off, but I read a book about gnomes and I think it had something about confusing cats in it. It’s called “gnomes” by Wil Huygen and it more of a book about gnomes in general. It’s a Really large book with great detail. gnomes by Wil Huygen

Let me know if this helps!

Pretty sure you are looking for Gnomes. I have a copy from at least 25 years ago. The copy I have is in English, but I'm sure it was translated to many languages. It's not really a children's book, at least not for American standards, as it has some adult subject matter.

Earlier than 2000s, and I think the pics are in black and white (not color), but this is the first thing I thought of: Mazes by Christopher Manson.

If it was not this, was it more like this?: Pierre the Maze Detective (this is one of a series)

I'm pretty sure this is not the one you are looking for, but Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay is very similar. The archaeologists uncover an old motel room and think the TV is a shrine and the toilet seat was worn as a necklace while worshipping at the shrine.
http://www.amazon.com/Motel-Mysteries-David-Macaulay/dp/0395284252/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317861005&sr=1-1

The book Maze involved a cash prize:

http://www.amazon.com/Maze-Solve-Worlds-Challenging-Puzzle/dp/0805010882

Killobyte by Piers Anthony? It's a book, but isn't very long and reads like a series of short stories, from what I remember.

amazon.com/Killobyte-Piers-Anthony/dp/0441444253

When I first read this I thought it was In a Dark Dark Room. There are a bunch of creepy stories for kids and I'm pretty sure the last story in the book had the part you are talking about with the ghost.

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Room-Other-Scary-Stories/dp/0064440907

This is definitely The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh. I read it in school also!

Found a few possibilities, first one seems strongest:

Puzzle Island

Hidden Animals

The Forest Has Eyes

Perhaps "No Flying in the House"? I read it as a kid, if I remember right there's a small cat statue with emerald eyes that comes alive and tricks the girl into using magic, but bad things happen because of it. The cat statue is in a china cabinet. I loved that book!

This sounds related to something that would be in the story "Motel of the Mysteries": https://www.amazon.com/dp/0395284252/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rIROBbA9PD9C2

It is a funny take on archeology by imagining what would happen 2000 years from now if archeologists tried to interpret our "modern" conveniences. It is a good read and really makes you wonder how much we are getting wrong about the past by assuming everything is set sort of altar or ceremonial whatever.

Round Trip by Ann Jonas?

EDIT:

Some more links here and here. Also, watch a video here :-)

It sounds like Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay.

This reminds me of a book I read growing up. It was 'hey, al' about a janitor and his dog going with birds to a floating island in the sky where he turns to a bird; he uses his wings to escape also.

https://www.amazon.com/Hey-Al-Arthur-Yorinks/dp/0374429855/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210879493&sr=1-1Al's

http://www.amazon.com/Virtual-War-Gloria-Skurzynski/dp/0689813740 Solved!

Solved! Puzzle Island.

Searched "book illustrated peacocks puzzle"

House of Stairs
I doubt it's what you're looking for, although it's an excellent recommendation.

I am almost certain you are talking about meanwhile. the vanilla or chocolate thing confirmed it

edit: oof, some dude got to you before i did.

Sounds kind of like Bony-Legs? https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/bony-legs-by-joanna-cole/

Or possibly something from In a Dark Dark Room and other scary stories? Couldn’t find a quick summary of the stories but might be worth a look. https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Other-Scary-Stories-Reading/dp/0064440907

It might be one of the virtual war books. Similar details, three teenagers with specific skills have to win a game for access to an radiation free island as part of a power bloc dispute. https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-War-Chronologs-Book-Chronologs-Paperback/dp/1416975772

Sounds kind of like round trip

Is it possibly "In a Dark, Dark Room"?
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Other-Scary-Stories-Reading/dp/0064440907#

Was it this book?

In a Dark, Dark Room by Alvin Schwartz.

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Other-Scary-Stories-Reading/dp/0064440907/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1335415715&sr=8-7

House of Stairs

Yup, House of Stairs by William Sleator

Is it House of Stairs by William Sleator?

http://www.amazon.com/House-Stairs-William-Sleator/dp/0140345809/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278450763&sr=1-1

Maybe William Sleator's House of Stairs?

So it wasn’t the one I was thinking of originally, but I believe I found it! Apparently it’s a sequel to another book called Marco’s Millions: https://www.amazon.com/Boxes-William-Sleator/dp/0141308109

The Boxes by William Sleator http://www.amazon.com/Boxes-William-Sleator/dp/0141308109/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300219279&sr=1-1

Look Alikes maybe?

Look-Alikes? If not, look at some of the related items on that page.

Is it Joan Steiner's Look-Alike books?

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Book-Sunburst/dp/0374428026

The Green Book? Was it young adult sci-fi?

The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh

not an exact match but maybe

Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks?

hey, al

If he was a janitor with a dog it could be "Hey, Al": http://www.amazon.com/Hey-Al-Arthur-Yorinks/dp/0374429855
https://thepossumsbookshelf.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/hey-al/

Motel of the Mysteries, by David Macaulay.

Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay

Motel of the Mysteries, by David Macaulay

Motel of the Mysteries

That’s it. Mark it OP! Here’s the English version on Amazon.

Miss Nelson Is Missing

Miss Nelson is Missing?

This is Killobyte, by Piers Anthony

http://www.amazon.com/Killobyte-Piers-Anthony/dp/0441444253

Killobyte? I haven't read it in a while, but it seems similar to what you're asking. There's a tower, a boy, a video game, and some bow and arrows. Also a girl, though not the boy's sister.

I have a few options:

https://www.amazon.com/Killobyte-Piers-Anthony/dp/0441444253

https://g.co/kgs/j3n3E8

I THINK I FOUND IT!
https://www.amazon.com/Round-Trip-Ann-Jonas/dp/0688099866

http://www.amazon.com/Round-Trip-Ann-Jonas/dp/0688099866 ?

Based on your description of the cover it could be this one: http://openlibrary.org/works/OL82643W/Virtual_War
edit: There's a plot description on the book's Amazon page. Sounds about right?

Is it Weslandia, by Paul Fleischman?

https://www.amazon.com/Weslandia-Paul-Fleischman/dp/0763610526

I think you're thinking of Westlandia.

If it's this one, that would be Dragonology.

Dragonology?

https://www.amazon.com/Dragonology-Complete-Book-Dragons-Ologies/dp/0763623296/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KRSH15SDKJU4&keywords=dragonology&qid=1554407906&s=gateway&sprefix=dragonolo%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-1

This?

Dragonology?

Dragonology?

Was it A Practical Guide to Dragons or Dragonology?

Dragonology!

Might have been Maze by Christopher Manson

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Link: Maze


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|
|Spain|amazon.es|
|France|amazon.fr|
|Germany|amazon.de|
|Japan|amazon.co.jp|
|Canada|amazon.ca|
|Italy|amazon.it|
|China|amazon.cn|




This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting).

Was it Gnomes by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet?

zincake is correct, Gnomes. I still have a copy on my bookshelf along with a bunch of other mythology, folklore, and fable books.

This [Gnomes](Gnomes https://www.amazon.com/dp/0810909650/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8.MHybXM2GCAF) ?

https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Path-Possibilities-Graphic-Novels/dp/0810984237 ?

"Meanwhile"

https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Path-Possibilities-Graphic-Novels/dp/0810984237

Is this it?

https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Path-Possibilities-Graphic-Novels/dp/0810984237

Meanwhile?
https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Path-Possibilities-Graphic-Novels/dp/0810984237

I think it was "Meanwhile"

https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Path-Possibilities-Graphic-Novels/dp/0810984237

Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook?

Got to be that - https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Case-Scenario-Survival-Handbook/dp/0811825558

Non-mobile: Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

I know the colors are off, but could it be The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook?

Puzzle Island https://www.amazon.com/Puzzle-Island-Childs-Play-Library/dp/0859534030

Puzzle Island by Paul Adshead.

Example.

thank you!

It is called Virtual War. Loved these books as a kid.

http://www.amazon.com/Virtual-War-The-Chronologs-Book/dp/1416975772

Try this http://www.amazon.com/Virtual-War-The-Chronologs-Book/dp/1416975772

No Flying in the House?

http://www.amazon.com/Flying-House-Harper-Trophy-Books/dp/0064401308

http://www.amazon.com/The-Boxes-William-Sleator/dp/0141308109

The Boxes by William Sleator. Strangely enough, I just asked this same question on here a few weeks ago. Just bought the book so I can re-read it.

Never mind... I found it, but I don't think it's the one you want. It's called Puzzle Island, no Venice.

https://www.amazon.com/Puzzle-Island-Childs-Play-Library/dp/0859534030

For some reason this reminds me of Motel of the Mysteries, which is an illustrated book about how archaeologists in the far future might misinterpret a simple roadside motel, so the pictures are all of abandoned places.

In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories?

In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories?

Round Trip?? https://www.amazon.com/dp/0688099866/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_ZSrPDb91N3BNG

EDIT: I pasted wrong url at first

Could it be the Virtual War Chronologs series? It was required reading in 6th grade which I skimmed. It is a trilogy, and your description sounds vaguely familiar.

Amazon Description of First Book

The Worst Case Scenario Suvival Handbook



https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Case-Scenario-Survival-Handbook/dp/0811825558

Worst Case Scenario, maybe?

http://www.amazon.com/Worst-Case-Scenario-Survival-Handbook/dp/0811825558/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370191051&sr=1-1&keywords=worst+case+scenario

In A Dark Dark Room And Other Scary Stories?

edit: I guess that's part of the same Scary Stories series you said wasn't it.

What about The Thing at the Foot of the Bed

No Flying in the House?

https://www.amazon.com/Flying-House-Harper-Trophy-Paperback/dp/0064401308

I have no memory of a commercial being in that. I actually forgot the book until I read this post. As soon you said the girl could fly, I thought "Annabel!" and was able to find the title. This book also had a sad ending that I forgot about until this moment. So now I'm sad remembering the ending of a book I'd forgotten about.

Anyway, it might be it.