Frances Farrell loves children. Having chosen to stay at home during her child's early years, she enthusiastically opened a small nursery school to care for her own child and five other preschoolers. In the entry-way stand a bookcase with six numbered compartments (numbered top to bottom, then left to right), each assigned to a different child for his or her possesions, including a favorite toy.

From the information given, determine each child's full name (one girl's first name is Janet), shelf assignment, and favorite toy (one is a puzzle).

1. Kevin and the Baker child, who are the two tallest children, are assigned the two top shelves, while the Lorenz child, who is the third tallest, has a shelf with a higher number than Mark's.
   
   
2. Holly has a higher shelf than the Collins child, who has a shelf located immediately to the right of the one containing a picture book.
   
   
3. The shelf belonging to the Forbes child and the one which holds a box of crayons are both even-numbered shelves.
   
   
4. Darren's toy and the set of blocks sit side-by-side on shelves that are above the fire engine.
   
   
5. The teddy bear is on the shelf directly below Monica's and directly above the McKenna child's.

Well, people have posted a lot of answers, most of which are similar, differing by only a few details. Only one is correct, and if you just go back through the puzzle and make sure everything that is stated is true about your puzzle, it's not hard to tell.

A solution, however, is more than just an answer; it explains the processes that brought you to your answer. If anyone had actually solved the problem, instead of just guessing sets of answers, it would be even easier to know that you are right or not.

The right answer has been given, but so far no one has even attempted a solution. It is possible to derive the solution from the clues; anyone care to try it?

Posted by DJ on 2003-10-01 05:51:18