Hints
When using the index, write down the results in the blank lines
provided. You may find it easier to use a letter code than drawing smiley
faces, such as W=wonderful (nice), O=ok (not-so-nice), R=rotten
(not-so-naughty) and T=terrible (naughty).
Use the index to see which children occupy the corners. For example,
at CA (the corner of Calling Bird Avenue and Austrian Pine Street), we have
OOOR (index entry 218, using the code above). Because all Rs must be connected
by neighbors (rule 6), the R cannot be in the northwest corner. Thus that
corner is an O.
Use index entries that overlap on a diagonal. For example, GB is
WRRR (index 807). Recall that CA is OOOR and note that there is one square in
common between these two. That child must be an R (between Calling Bird/Gold
Ring and Austrian Pine/Blue Spruce). And the remaining two children
around CA must both be Os.
When you use the index, draw a light box around the four squares and
write the letters inside it, fully intending to move them around as you get
more information. Pencil is highly recommended.
Try to keep a count of the number of each type of child you’ve
seen. This is easier it you don’t use overlapping index entries.
Once you’ve seen 14 Ws, you know the rest of the squares can’t be W.
Draw solid walls between different letters. Rule 6 says all the squares
of the same letter will be connected (diagonals don't count). This will help
you visualize the connectedness of each letter type.
When in doubt and you can't figure it out, you can always just get more
answers from the index. It is possible to solve the puzzle using fewer than
half of the index locations.
Back to 2006 Christmas Puzzle
