GCHQ team up with Puffin to release latest Puzzle Book
GCHQ and publishers Puffin are proud to be teaming up to publish a brand-new puzzle book for kids, Puzzles for Spies, coming in September.
For over one hundred years, GCHQ has worked in secret, to gather information and solve the toughest of problems, to help keep the people of the UK safe and secure. They are the spies of the online world. But not just that! They are analysts, linguists, engineers, mathematicians, programmers, codebreakers, and lots more – all working together in brilliant teams to solve impossible problems.
With Puzzles for Spies, the aim is that young readers will discover a discipline or role to match their skills and strengths and see the importance of teamwork and a diverse range of minds in achieving a common goal.
The book includes a foreword by Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and proceeds from GCHQ’s share of the advance and royalties for this book, estimated in the first year to be at least £20,000, will go to The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (registered charity number: 1132048) to support the organisation’s ongoing mental health work. Studies have shown the positive impact puzzle solving and teamwork can have on a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing and, in their foreword, Their Royal Highnesses say:
We are delighted that the brilliant minds at GCHQ have been busy working on a third puzzle book, and that this edition is designed for younger readers… Talking openly about mental health can be the first step in removing stigma, fear and isolation. Just like at GCHQ, bringing different perspectives together can often be the key to unlocking a solution you can’t quite find on your own.
GCHQ has previously created two puzzle books for adults, The GCHQ Puzzle Book and The GCHQ Puzzle Book II, which have seen huge success and sales of half a million copies between them.
In his foreword, Director GCHQ - Sir Jeremy Fleming says:
While problem solving exercises our brains, it is equally important to take care of our minds. Our first two books raised a staggering amount of money for mental health charities and enabled them to do valuable work in communities across the country. I’m delighted that through this book we will continue supporting this cause…The work of Their Royal Highnesses has helped many people – including children – be more open about mental health. I want to thank them for both their ongoing commitment to this cause and their support to GCHQ.
Tom Rawlinson, Commissioning Editor - Puffin comments:
We can’t wait for kids to get their hands on this incredible book. Packed full of fiendish puzzles from the brilliant minds at GCHQ, there really is something for everyone. Whether you want to break codes, tackle brainteasers or just learn more about the secret world – this has it all. Out just in time for Christmas, it will make the ideal gift for young puzzlers – and even some older ones!
You can preorder your copy of Puzzles for Spies ahead of its release on 22 September from Penguin Books and online retailers now.