Solver Testimonials

“Barb’s crosswords are breezy, fun and clever. These puzzles are a welcome mid-week distraction from the daily 9-5 grind. Well done, Barb!”

~Derek Bowman, Winnipeg, MB

I am writing to let you know how much I enjoy your puzzles; they are Canadian, clever, and fun to solve! I look forward to every Wednesday when a new puzzle arrives in my inbox.

~David Moore

“Great puzzles every week, and not overly Canadian, eh?”

~B.G., Newton, MA, USA

“Hiya! As a Yank, I love learning more about Canada and Canadians through my favorite pastime, crosswords. This is one subscription I won’t let go.”

~Anonymous

“Refreshing to have an idiom-laced Canadian crossword.”

~Nancy, Chilliwack, BC

“Barb, as one of your ex-teachers I can honestly say that I am proud of the love of words in which I may have had a small part. I see your work in several venues and smile every time I do.”

~P. Kraft, Cranbrook, BC

“I eagerly look forward to Barb’s weekly puzzles. The fact that they are themed makes them especially enjoyable as I love her clever use of word plays and puns. And at just the perfect level of difficulty, too!”

~Brenda Hamilton, Nelson, BC

“I am the activities director at a retirement home in Edmonton, Alberta. Every Friday I have a group of seniors who look forward to doing one of your crosswords. We do them together and find them challenging at times, but we always get them completed. We love and prefer the Canadian content as we can relate to it. I will definitely be renewing my subscription!”

~Karen Bennett, Chartwell Hawthorn, Edmonton, AB

“I love these crosswords!!! I’m thrilled that they are in the Pennywise and I can get a new one through my subscription weekly. Clever plays on words!!”

~A Kaslo crossword fiend

“I love what you’re doing to champion our Canadianism and thank you for the enjoyable hour or so each week to puzzle away.”

~Walter Wood

“ClassiCanadian Crosswords are always challenging yet are entertaining, original, amusing and, most of all, Canadian.”

~Dennis, Squamish, BC

“Barb’s crosswords are multilayered and ideal for solvers who enjoy a quirky sense of humour and the challenge of a puzzle within a puzzle. They will sharpen your wits, give you a laugh (or a groan), and have you looking forward to Wednesdays.”

~Brenda, Beasley, BC

Publications

ClassiCanadian Crosswords are published regularly in several newspapers and magazines. Always themed, always clever, always Canadian, these puzzles are are an engaging draw for readers all across this country. To add a ClassiCanadian Crossword to your publication, contact Barb.

Publications

Happy Solvers

Stunning Reviews

Puzzles + Counting

Featured In

About the Crosswords:

If you solve crosswords you know how rare it is to find a clue or answer relating to Canada. Most crosswords published in Canada are made by Americans. They’re great, but they don’t reflect life here in Canada.  

ClassiCanadian Crosswords are different. They contain all the ingredients of well-crafted American puzzles – clever themes, humour and tricky wordplay – but there’s an added dash of “maple flavour” that gives them a touch of Canadian class.

ClassiCanadian Crosswords are Grade A (Eh?) food for the brain. And best of all, they let you “think Canadian!”


 

Try one! Click on grid below:


 

Publishers:

ClassiCanadian Crosswords are available for publication in print/online papers, magazines, websites, newsletters, etc. 

ClassiCanadian Crosswords are: 

  • 15x15 daily-sized 
  • Titled 
  • Themed 
  • Filled with wordplay and humour 
  • Designed for Canadian solvers: references to Canadian geography, culture, history 

*Pricing is based on the number of your publications carrying each puzzle. For further details, please contact me.

About Me

I’ve always been a ravenous “verbivore,” gobbling books on word origins, tinkering with poetry writing, playing Scrabble, and of course, solving crossword puzzles. Fifteen year ago I tried my hand at constructing crosswords and I’ve been honing my craft ever since.

My early crosswords were published in The New York TimesThe Los Angeles Times and GAMES Magazine. I eventually sought Canadian markets with my work appearing in Saturday Night MagazineQuill & Quire and Reader’s Digest,Canada. With the late Dave Macleod I co-authored four Canadian crossword books: Think Canadian! Crosswords, and O Canada Crosswords, vols. 8, 9 and 10. My ClassiCrosswords now appear in numerous publications and fresh puzzles are distributed once a week to subscribers.

Thank you for visiting my website. Happy crossword solving!

Barb Olson
Nelson, BC

Contact Barb

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