Customer Reviews

Melissa & Doug African Plains Jigsaw 24 pcs Puzzle

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've bought many Melissa and Doug toys and loved almost all of them. They're generally sturdy, colorful, educational and enjoyable.

However, no matter how attractive, fun and educational a toy may be, it's worthless if you can't use it. This puzzle (as well as the similar construction themed one) both fell apart when we opened them. And not in the way that a puzzle should.

The puzzle is constructed of lightweight laminate. However, there's a wide layer of ineffective glue between some layers. The puzzle feels more like balsa wood than the usual sturdy construction to which we're accustomed.

When our little guy unwrapped it this Christmas, he immediately wanted to play with it. So, I removed the shrink wrap and began to separate the pieces. Immediately, the laminated layers on the pieces (specifically the edges of the lumpy parts) began to separate and break off. Mostly the bottom and topmost layers.

Again, I usually find Melissa and Doug toys to be of high quality. Judging by the reviews here, others haven't had the same problem. I'm hoping that this is simply one small manufacturing batch that went amiss and not a new trend. However, I can only review based on my experience. So, although this puzzle gets high marks for fun, attractiveness and educational value, I can't give it more than 2 stars because of the construction and safety issues (small pieces of broken laminate that could pose a choking hazard).

This is our 2nd puzzle from Melissa and Doug and our 3 year old loves it!! Easy for him to work by himself and problem solve where the pieces go. These are great for several learning concepts and I have already ordered more for us and some for a gift!!

These puzzles are great! They are bright and colorful, the kids love them!

My 2 year old has always loved puzzles, but before he's always had the easier, fit the animal into the correct spot, puzzles, so I decided to take it a step further and get him this puzzle. He absolutely LOVES this puzzle, it's easy for him to distinguish the different animals on the pieces and he loves the bright colors!

I have bought many other Melissa & Doug products and have been relatively happy with them. This one, though, is a huge disappointment. I had put the puzzle away for a few weeks after receiving it so that I could take it out on a "rainy day." When I opened the product, I found the lamination defective. All of the pieces stuck together and the paper for the picture tore when I tried to separate the pieces. I wanted to return the puzzle or at least exchange it for a new one but apparently I would only get a partial refund and no shipping credit. As a result, I threw it away and won't be buying anymore Melissa & Doug puzzles.

My sister gave this puzzle to my 3-year-old and within the first day the graphic was peeling off of at least half of the pieces under supervised use. I guess now "hand-crafted" is just marketing rhetoric.

We have many Melissa and Doug puzzles. Lately, though, I've been getting the more "complicated" puzzles for our autistic child, and the picture peels off the plywood BEFORE she begins to play. In several of the earlier purchases, I'd thought it was our fault. Not this time. The paper tore as I separated the pieces. Is the quality dropping in the Melissa and Doug line, or is it that the more pieces there are in the puzzle, the more poorly the laminate adheres? Either way, I am disappointed, and will be returning this item. Poor hippo. He lost his mouth and grassy snacks.
Judy Jacobs, Summerville, SC

My two year old boy loves this puzzle. It is designed to be durable and to allow him to figure it out. There aren't ambiguous pieces. He can do this 24 piece puzzle all by himself. And he loves learning the animal's names. Melissa and Doug always make great products and this is no exception. We have several of their puzzles.

The picture is poorly glued onto the puzzle and as a result it started peeling off after only one use. The cutting between pieces was poorly done too and it is too difficult for my daughter to pull the pieces out and put them back in because they get stuck so easily. Seriously, how hard is it to manufacture a wooden puzzle?!

Admittedly, I've never had this much trouble with other Melissa and Doug products that were made in China, so maybe I shouldn't be so cynical.

This puzzle, and the Ocean puzzle from Melissa and Doug are paper on pressed wood. They are ok, but my little distructo managed to pull the paper off of one piece. Other pieces are splintering in the back. On the plus side, she loves the puzzle and puts it together over and over.