The title says it all: This is the original, the best, the most fun, the most visually splendid-the only essential-picture puzzle series and it is now in it's 11th volume. When LIFE invented Picture Puzzle books a few years ago with the Number One New York Times bestseller, it was followed on the charts by a succession of fan favorites such as Picture Puzzle: Vacations and Picture Puzzle: Holidays. We knew full well that imitators would flatter us with competing volumes. And they did. But LIFE's fans know where the best photography comes from and who has the Puzzle Master capable of entertaining his players on every page. That is why this remains The Essential Picture Puzzle. As always, LIFE's editors choose the most colorful and lively pictures, and set up the book to make certain that there are terrific, enjoyable tests for every level of player, from the kids who are tackling their first-ever puzzle to the old masters who have met every challenge in our first 10 books. We know what our loyal book-buyers want from us, and we again deliver.

Having launched the Picture Puzzle craze and having now done 10 successful Picture Puzzle books, we asked ourselves: What should be the title of Number 11? Finally, it is what we are to puzzlers across the land: The Essential.