 As stated in the preface , there is a code hidden in the paintings throughout the book . This was an idea of Brett Helquist and Balliett 's editor , Tracy Mack . The code involves images of pentominoes and frogs , which is a recurring theme in the book . To decode the code , one must count the number of frogs in every other illustration , as well as find the hidden pentomino . Once these facts are collected , you are to use the same code presented in the story that Calder and Tommy use in their letters in the book . For example , the first code in the book is V : 2 @.@  this means T when decoded with Calder and Tommy 's decoder . When the message is decoded , it spells out " The Lady Lives " . 
 As stated in the preface , <a href='dey_it' title='1'><mark>there</mark></a> is a code hidden in the paintings throughout the book . This was an idea of Brett Helquist and Balliett <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>editor , Tracy Mack . The code <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>involves</mark></a> images of pentominoes and frogs , which <a href='drop_aux' title='4'><mark>is</mark></a>a recurring theme in the book . To decode the code , one must count the number of frogs in every other illustration , as well as find the hidden pentomino . Once these facts are collected , you are to use the same code presented in the story <a href='null_relcl' title='5'><mark>that</mark></a>Calder and Tommy use in their letters in the book . For example , the first code in the book <a href='drop_aux' title='6'><mark>is</mark></a>V : 2 @.@  this <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>means</mark></a> T when decoded with Calder and Tommy <a href='null_genetive' title='8'><mark>'s</mark></a>decoder . When the message is decoded , it <a href='uninflect' title='9'><mark>spells</mark></a> out " The Lady <a href='uninflect' title='10'><mark>Lives</mark></a> " . 
As stated in da preface , it is a code hidden in tdapaintings throughout the book . This was an idea of Brett Helquist and Balliett  editor , Tracy Mack . The code involve images of pentominoes and frogs , which a recurring theme in the book . To decode the code , one must count thdaumber of frogs in every other illustration , as well as find thedadden pentomino . Once these facts r collected , you arro use the dae code presented in the story Calder and Tommy use in their letters in the bda . For example , the first code in the bodaV : 2 @.@  this mean T when decoded with Calder and Tommy  decoder . When the msgda decoded , it spell outt " The Lady Live " .