Help and FAQ

Answers to common questions, and how to reach us.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy Ellis Gray books?

Every book is a paperback sold on Amazon. Each book page has buttons for Amazon.com (United States), Amazon.ca (Canada) and Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) where the book is sold there. Ellis Gray doesn't sell paperbacks directly, so prices, delivery dates and returns are handled by Amazon.

Why don't you show prices?

Amazon sets the current price and it can change, and it differs between Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon.co.uk. Rather than show a price that might be out of date, we link to the listing, where you'll see today's price.

Which birthdays do you have books for?

On sale now: 50th, 60th, 80th and 90th birthdays. Finished and waiting for their Amazon listings, not yet on sale: 55th, 65th, 70th, 75th and 85th birthday trivia books; see the coming-soon shelf. New ages appear here the day they are live on Amazon. If you need an age we don't have, email us; it helps us decide what to make next.

Are the books large print?

It varies by book, so we list the measured type size wherever we have it: 80th Birthday Trivia Book: 13 pt (measured from the printed pages); 90th Birthday Trivia Book: 14.5 pt (listing; also measured); The 50th Birthday Word Search: Grid 18.6 pt, word lists 16 pt (measured); The 60th Birthday Word Search: Grid 18.6 pt, word lists 16 pt (measured); The Secret Garden Festival (story & coloring book): Story text 16 pt (measured). The gift guide has the full print size table.

Is there Canadian content in the trivia books?

These books include Canadian questions alongside American ones: 80th Birthday Trivia Book, 90th Birthday Trivia Book. For other books we haven't confirmed Canadian content, so we don't claim it.

How are the trivia questions checked?

Where a book page says so, every question was checked against two published sources. If you find a mistake in any book, please email us so we can correct future printings.

Are these books good for memory or brain health?

We don't make health or memory claims. The books are designed to be enjoyed, with no time limit and the answers in the back. They are not a medical or therapeutic product.

Can I see inside a book before buying?

This site shows sample inside pages for: 80th Birthday Trivia Book, 90th Birthday Trivia Book, The 50th Birthday Word Search, The 60th Birthday Word Search, The Secret Garden Festival (story & coloring book). For other books, Amazon's listing may show sample pages.

Can I buy the books in the UK?

Yes. 7 of our 8 books are on Amazon.co.uk as well as Amazon.com and Amazon.ca, and each book page has a UK button where the book is sold there. The trivia is written mostly from a North American point of view; the pages for 80th Birthday Trivia Book, 90th Birthday Trivia Book say how much Canadian and British content to expect.

Which book is best if their eyesight isn't good?

The word search books, clearly: their puzzle letters are set at 18.6 point and the word lists at 16 point, both measured from the print file. Among the trivia books, the 90th Birthday Trivia Book at 14.5 pt is the most comfortable. For comparison, the sight-loss charity RNIB describes clear print as usually 14 point and large print as usually 16 point or higher; what large print really means sets every measured size against that scale.

Will the questions be too hard?

The 80th Birthday Trivia Book and 90th Birthday Trivia Book are multiple choice with four answers, so a good guess always has a chance and nobody has to produce a date from memory. The The 50th Birthday Trivia Book and The 60th Birthday Trivia Book mix shorter quiz rounds with party games. Every trivia book has the answers in the back, and there is no timer. Question counts run from 200 to 254 per book, grouped in rounds, so you can play a round at a time rather than the whole book.

Can one person do these alone, or do you need a group?

The word search books are made for one person: 80 puzzles, solutions in the back, nothing to set up. The trivia books work alone too, but they come alive with a reader and a few teams. If there's a party, our guide to hosting a birthday trivia game sets out a plan that takes about half an hour.

Is this suitable for someone living with dementia?

We don't make health or memory claims, and we can't advise on what suits one person. What we can give you is the measurable detail to judge it yourself: the word search letters are 18.6 point, each puzzle stands alone and can be finished in one sitting, solutions are in the back, and nothing is timed or scored unless you choose to. Trivia is multiple choice with four options. If you're buying for someone in care, their family or care team will know best what suits them now.

Can I mail a book, or send it to a care home?

Yes. Every book is an ordinary paperback with nothing to assemble, no batteries and no electronics. The trivia books are 6 x 9 in and the word search books are 8.5 x 11 in, so the larger ones need a flat mailer rather than an envelope. Amazon can also deliver straight to the recipient's address, including a care home, and will show you the delivery date before you order.

What's the difference between the trivia and the word search books?

A trivia book is a group game for the day itself: multiple-choice questions, a score sheet and a certificate. A word search book is a quiet solo activity for the weeks afterwards: 80 puzzles in a larger format with much larger print. Our article on choosing between them goes through it properly.

What does "ages 4 to 8" mean on the children's books?

It spans a child who is read to and a child reading alone, so judge by the child rather than the range. The story and coloring book has 30 short chapters with 16-point text and a picture to color after each one, which works read-aloud at four or alone at seven. The stand-alone coloring book has 30 single-sided pictures with thick outlines and no story.

Are there digital or printable versions?

Not at the moment. Every book on this site is a paperback sold on Amazon.

Contact

Email: hello.ellisgraybooks@gmail.com
Instagram: @ellisgraybooks (direct messages are open)

Questions about an order

Orders, delivery, returns and refunds for paperbacks are handled by Amazon. Please contact Amazon through your account on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca or Amazon.co.uk.

Found a mistake in a book?

Tell us which book, page and question or puzzle. We'll check it and correct future printings.

Suggest a book

Need a birthday age or theme we don't have yet? Let us know by email.