Martin Handford’s beloved puzzle book series, known as Where’s Waldo? in the US and Where’s Wally? elsewhere, has reached its 30th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, a new edition, Where’s Waldo? Destination Everywhere!, is being released. The anniversary sparked a critical look back at the series, initiated by Dr. Debbie Reese on Twitter, who raised concerns about stereotypical depictions within the books.
Debbie Reese's tweet questioning stereotypes in Where's Waldo, featuring a panel with caricatures of Native Americans.
Dr. Reese’s tweet highlighted a specific image from Where’s Waldo? depicting the titular character, Waldo, in his signature striped shirt and glasses, walking past stereotypical representations of Native American people. These figures are shown lounging outside a tipi, adorned with feathered headbands, and one is smoking a pipe. Even a dog nearby sports a feathered headband, reinforcing the caricature. This image prompted a re-evaluation of the Where’s Waldo? books, even for long-time fans who may have missed these details initially.
Nostalgia and Overstimulation: Revisiting Waldo’s World
As someone who grew up enjoying Where’s Waldo?, and later as a school librarian who frequently recommended these books, the tweet caused a moment of reflection. Like many, I have fond memories of searching for Waldo, even owning a Waldo t-shirt and dressing up as him for Halloween. However, it had been some time since I truly engaged with the books. Sitting down with a copy again, the first impression was one of being overwhelmed by the sheer density of each page.
The intricate illustrations in Where’s Waldo? are intentionally chaotic. Each two-page spread is packed with countless characters, objects, and mini-scenes, designed to challenge readers to find Waldo and other hidden elements. It’s easy to get lost in the detailed world Handford created, spending considerable time on a single page, absorbed in the multitude of visual stories unfolding.
A busy Where's Waldo scene depicting pirates and chaotic nautical activities, showcasing the book's detailed and overwhelming illustrations.
Within this visual frenzy, alongside humorous and silly scenarios, are moments that are now clearly problematic. Beyond the Native American stereotypes highlighted by Dr. Reese, another example appears in a sea scene. Here, more stereotypical “Native” figures are depicted in canoes amidst the chaos. Instead of lounging, they are portrayed in a more aggressive posture, with one figure mid-chant and others holding weapons, reinforcing outdated and harmful tropes. Dr. Reese’s blog post further clarifies the deeply problematic nature of these feathered headdresses and stereotypical representations.
Cultural Gimmicks and Lack of Diversity
Exploring further, it becomes apparent that while people of color do appear in Where’s Waldo? books, their presence is often superficial or tied to stereotypical settings. In Where’s Waldo Now?, as Waldo travels the globe, cultural settings are frequently reduced to mere backdrops or gimmicks. The “Trouble in Old Japan” scene, for example, features sumo wrestlers and samurai, presenting a simplified and stereotypical view of Japanese culture.
The introduction page to the "Trouble in Old Japan" Where's Waldo scene, indicating a potentially stereotypical cultural representation.
Moreover, in the fantasy worlds of Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey, a noticeable lack of racial diversity prevails. The crowds are overwhelmingly White, subtly communicating a skewed sense of normalcy. This implicit message can be particularly impactful for children, suggesting that whiteness is the default, and that children of color are either absent or unwelcome in these imaginative spaces.
