MONROE — Puzzles can vary in form, from jigsaw to crossword to trivia, but the type of toys donated Thursday by members of Next Generation 4-H to the Monroe Public Library have a distinctive shape; the pieces come together to create a word shaped in the outline of an animal.

Not just any animal, but the one identified through the letters. When laid out, the wooden shapes look like a jumble of curves and indents. But once pieced together correctly, the word “EAGLE” can be read in the shape of a flying creature. The neck of another feathered animal meets the beginning of the word “DUCK” which serves as the body of the puzzle.

Don Spooner of Brodhead creates the puzzles in his own home with the use of a template and tools. Deb Myers, who oversees the Next Generation 4-H club, said she first became aware of the puzzles through a member, Autumn Wolfe, who helps Spooner cut the outlines.

She purchased one for each of her grandchildren. Then the club offered to try to sell a box at the annual Juda Toy Show.

“We did sell some, but we had a box full of them yet and we decided not to give them back to him, we wanted to pass them on, to pay forward,” Myers said.

So, the club purchased the box of roughly 20 puzzles, which run for $5 apiece, and members decided to give them to Monroe Public Library for use by other young people. Myers said they want to continue the practice of giving the puzzles to places throughout the county and plan to purchase another box or two at holiday time to give to other facilities. She said Spooner spends time perfecting the animal outlines and has a great variety of them in his workshop area.

“It gives him something to do, so we’re going to find outlets for him,” Myers said.

Myers said the group plans to get the items into public view and raise awareness of the multiple types of animal puzzles Spooner makes, from reindeer to loons to mice to bears.

Next Generation member Dylan Fiez has an eagle. He even painted it. Kloe Jordan has a sheep, donated during the Green County Fair. 

Club member Alayna Fiez said their family does not keep their own on display at all times, but keep them safely stored when they don’t have the puzzle pieces spread out on a table, ready to solve them once more. She said she is glad to be able to provide a pastime to other children. 

“(It’s) kind of cool,” Alayna said, noting the puzzles are unique. “Because not all kids can have that experience, to build their own puzzle.”

Andrea Schmitz, Youth Services director of the Monroe Public Library, got a first glimpse of the puzzles on Thursday when they were donated. She said there is no clear plan on how to use them, but there are a number of options, from using them as prizes for special events, milestone activities or even have an event centered around the puzzles where children can paint them and take them home to keep.

“We always welcome donations,” Schmitz said. “I think I’m going to share them with the other two administrators and see what we can drum up.”

Myers said as a grandmother, she found merit in providing a different kind of toy to children and wanted to share that with the public library. 

“They’re not just normal puzzles, they’re really kind of different,” Myers said. “I thought they were just awesome to have. They can keep playing with them; they just tear them apart and rebuild them again.”

Next Generation 4-H purchased the puzzles with money members gather through events and place in their own account in order to give back to the community later. 

“With that money we earn, we try to pay it forward,” Myers said. “We help Don out, plus we help anybody who puts them together and plays with them.”