What were those invisible ink books called?

October 4, 2004 5:06 AM

As I was reflecting on the numerous road trips with the family of my youth, one thing keeps resurfacing: those little activity books with the "magic" pen that revealed the answers, games, etc. The pen was white with an orange cap, and I remember the books being about 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide, with some hip 70's-ish font well into the 80's. What were they called, and where can I get them?
posted by ferociouskitty to Shopping (9 answers total)

They were called "Yes and Know" pads, at least the ones I had.

The last time I saw any for sale was in the Toys 'R' Us in Times Square a few months ago, though they no longer had the '70s design and were associated with licenses like Spongebob Squarepants, etc.
posted by Prospero at 5:14 AM on October 4, 2004

Best answer: Click it to go to a site that sells some, $2.99 each. Mr. Mystery was my favorite!
posted by iconomy at 5:25 AM on October 4, 2004

Aw the image is broken now. It was a really cool cover, too.
posted by iconomy at 6:29 AM on October 4, 2004

I just saw some of these in the kids section of Books-A-Million, so I would assume they would be in most big bookstores kid sections.
posted by spartacusroosevelt at 6:45 AM on October 4, 2004

I still see 'em at truck stops and the like.
posted by hootch at 8:02 AM on October 4, 2004

independent toy stoes almost always have them, and you can still get them in any rest stop on the NYS thruway, so i would guess other highway rest stops have them. and lots of the old classics like the detective ones, the 'battleship' clone, etc. are still available - they haven't completely gone over to licensed stuff.
posted by chr1sb0y at 8:52 AM on October 4, 2004

Every airport gift shop I've been in lately still has them.
posted by Monk at 10:05 AM on October 4, 2004

Those things ruled! I was addicted to them, especially the Mr. Mystery ones.
posted by falconred at 1:55 PM on October 4, 2004

Response by poster: Y'all are the coolest. Thanks!
posted by ferociouskitty at 4:15 PM on October 4, 2004