Where in the World is Carmen San Diego

Released by Broderbund in 1993, this book serves as an educational tie-in to the immensely popular Carmen Sandiego video game series, which debuted in 1985. The franchise was created by Brøderbund to gamify geography for children, encouraging players to track down international criminals while learning about global cultures, landmarks, and history. This particular publication expanded the reach of the brand beyond the computer monitor and into the literary space, aiming to capture the same sense of mystery and global exploration that defined the gameplay experience.

The book features the signature visual style associated with the Carmen Sandiego franchise, blending elements of noir detective fiction with playful, child-friendly illustrations. It was designed to function as an interactive adventure, mirroring the deductive reasoning required in the video games. Because the brand became a cultural touchstone in the 1990s, the book was received primarily as a bridge between interactive media and traditional literacy, helping to solidify the character of Carmen Sandiego as a ubiquitous figure in educational entertainment.