Walter Wick

Walter Wick (born February 23, 1953) is an American artist and photographer best known for the elaborate images in two series of picture book activities for young children, I Spy and Can You See What I See?, both published by Scholastic.

Early life Wick was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in rural East Granby, Connecticut. He also created photographic puzzles for Games magazine.

In 2003, Wick and his wife purchased an abandoned 1920 firehouse from the city of Hartford and renovated the building into an art studio.

Wick originally used a large-format camera for his I Spy photographs, which created 8x10 negatives. He switched to a digital camera in 2004. and the New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA). The New Britain Museum of American Art has featured other exhibits of Wick’s work including Walter Wick I Spy: Summer, Autumn, and Winter (2021), and Walter Wick: Hidden Wonders! (2023) (which will travel to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta in 2026-2027). In 2015, the Wicks donated over 80 of his photographs to the NBMAA.

Personal life Wick is married to Linda Cheverton Wick, a former photo prop stylist for magazines and cookbooks.

Selected publications

I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles (1992) I Spy: Christmas (1992) I Spy: Fun House (1993) I Spy: Mystery (1993) I Spy: Fantasy (1994) I Spy: School Days (1995) I Spy: Spooky Night (1996) A Drop of Water: A Book of Science & Wonder (1997) I Spy: Super Challenger! (1997) Walter Wick's Optical Tricks (1998) I Spy: Gold Challenger! (1998) I Spy: Treasure Hunt (1999) I Spy: Extreme Challenger! (2000) I Spy: Year-Round Challenger! (2001) Can You See What I See?: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve (2002) I Spy: Ultimate Challenger! (2003) Can You See What I See?: Dream Machine (2003) Seymour and the Juice Box Boat (2004) Can You See What I See?: Cool Collections (2004) Can You See What I See?: The Night Before Christmas (2005) Seymour makes New Friends (2006) Can You See What I See?: Once Upon A Time (2006) Can You See What I See?: On the Road (2008) Can You See What I See?: On A Scary Scary Night (2008) I Spy: A To Z (2009) Can You See What I See?: Treasure Ship (2010) I Spy: Spectacular (2011) Can You See What I See?: Toyland Express (2011) I Spy: Sticker Book and Picture Riddles (2012) Can You See What I See?: Out Of This World (2013) Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic (2014) Can You See What I See?: Christmas (Board Book) (2015) Hey, Seymour! (2015) Can You See What I See? Big Book of Search-And-Find Fun (2016) A Ray of Light (2019) Can You See What I See?: Hidden Wonders (2021) Can You See What I See?: Curiosity Shop (2024) I Spy: Love (2024)