Thursday, September 26, 2024

Little People, Big Dreams - Amazing Women: A Memory Game, By Kaddo - REVIEW


Nature / Type:             Memory games

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    4 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Fans of "Little People, Big Dreams' series / and those who enjoy memory games 

Hand up 🙋‍♀️ if you’re a BIG FAN of the bestselling “Little People, Big Dreams” series. We love reading these uplifting, inspirational stories of incredible people discovering their dreams. If you enjoy these fantastic stories, then you must check out this “Little People, Big Dreams - Amazing Women: A Memory Game” from Kaddo game (an imprint of Quarto Group ). 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Memory Game Featuring 20 Amazing Women

The set includes 40 cards - featuring 20 amazing women from a wide range of industries and fields. The rule is similar to the classic memory game; Arrange the cards face down, flip two card over - if you find a pair, keep the cards. If you don’t, turn them face down again. This is a really cute game to learn about inspiring female role models throughout history. We get to pair up cards featuring Ada Lovelace - the world’s first computer programmer, Nobel Peace Prize legend like Malala Yousafzai, and many more iconic women in the world. 

(2) Non-Identical Images - A Fun Challenge For The Kids!

One unique feature of the cards: the images of the pair are not identical. Instead, each character is made up of two different portraits - a younger self (the “little people”) and the adult form of the same person. The names of the persons (printed in cursive font - which unfortunately, made it a little challenging to read for younger kids) and the job titles are shown on the cards. Younger kids might find this memory game “not as straightforward” compared to the “classic”, although they can cross-check the pairs by matching the background colour of two cards.

(3) Compact Booklet With Interesting Summary

I love the compact booklet that gives us a quick summary of the 20 wonderful women featured in this game. I’m loving the diverse and interesting selections included - from activist Gloria Steinem, tennis player Billie Jean King, Frankenstein’s author Mary Shelley, outstanding scientist Rosalind Franklin, and our beloved “Lady of the Lamp” Florence Nightingale. I’m loving the empowering stories and the simple yet impactful messages! 

(4) Sturdy Game Box & Great Quality Cards 

I also love the sturdy game box, and the great quality cards with solid thickness. The artwork is charming and delightful, making this an appealing game for kids and adults. 

# gifted in exchange for review 


Where to buy this: 

QBD Books (Australia) 

Harry Hartog (Australia) 


Enjoy the video!

Monday, September 9, 2024

Sky Tower, By Funyards Australia - REVIEW



Nature / Type:             Wooden puzzle 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    8 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Collectors of wooden puzzles & brainteasers 

There is some mystical charm about wooden puzzles - the lovingly crafted handmade quality, the beautiful natural timber material, and the wisdom behind each logical challenge presented. Today, let’s take a look at this captivating 3D puzzle - “Sky Tower” from Funyards Australia (thank you for providing). 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Packing Puzzle That Rises Upwards 

This is a packing puzzle that rises vertically upwards. It is said to be designed by W. L. Van der Poel, a Dutch computer scientist (be prepared to be amazed by the precision and ingenuity of the design!). It reminds me of a Japanese wooden pagoda with a touch of modernity, with classic multi-storey architectural charm completed with a curved roof at the top that accentuates the symmetrical balance of the completed structure. Once you remove the separable pieces bit by bit, you will discover 10 individual parts (plus a rooftop piece/ lid) of multiple unique geometric shapes, each piece composed of 1 to 6 number of cubes. The challenge is to re-arrange the puzzle pieces so that the 50 cubes would fit nicely in a columns of 5 in 10 levels, held securely within a wooden base with 4 vertical poles. It’s like a game of Tetris, but in 3D form. Sharp observation and immaculate pre-planning skills play a big part - but in case you are stuck, there is an illustrated solution provided to unlock the secrets. 

(2) Gorgeous Sky Tower Structure

This Sky Tower puzzle is stunningly tall (around 25.5 cm) and attention-grabbing. I am enchanted by the beautiful shades of the natural wooden pieces - a mix of dark timber, a few with hint of maroon touch, and some of a slightly lighter range. I love the gorgeous structure. This is more than just a challenging brainteaser - it also makes an exciting display piece at home. 

(3) Handcrafted by Local Artisans in Thailand

Like many other Funyards Australia wooden products - this brainteaser set is lovingly-handmade by local artisans in Thailand. It is built for long-lasting play, durable and solid, and precisely crafted. Go ahead and check out more about Funyards Australia - a family-owned business focuses on selling award-winning quality products, with a strong emphasis on STEM and wooden educational products.


# gifted in exchange for review 


Where to buy this: 

Funyards Australia


Enjoy the video!

Got It Learning (Set 3), By Got It Learning - REVIEW


Nature / Type:             Learning cards 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Parents / teachers looking for effective reading/ words-learning resources 

I love discovering simple and effective reading resources. We are so grateful to receive a pack of Got It Learning (Set 3) cards for review recently. Designed by an experienced specialist teacher, this is an amazing set of cards that takes phonics learning and words-decoding to a whole new exciting level! 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) 40 Word Cards Covering 5 Different Sounds 

Included in this set are 5 instruction cards, 5 picture prompt cards, 8 “Got it!” cards, and 40 word cards. Got It Learning has 5 packs of cards in different levels - each pack includes 40 word cards covering 5 different sounds. Set 1 covers basic CVC/ one syllable words, Set 2 focuses on th/ck/sh/ch/ng. Set 3 focuses on the slightly more challenging ai/ee/igh/oa/oo sounds, Set 4 and 5 focus on oo/ar/or/ur/ow and oi/ear/air/ure/er respectively. There is an online Assessment Sheet on the website with guided words for each level that helps parents to find the correct starting pack for the kids. I love the easy-to-read font, and the plain white / uncluttered background of the cards. The focus sound of the word (eg “oo” for the word “too”) is printed in blue at 4 corners of the card and within the word - which is a fantastic way to draw the kids’ attention to the focus sound. 

(2) 5 Smartly-Designed Picture Prompt Cards 

The 5 picture prompt cards are excellently designed and really help the kids to match and enunciate the words. Similar to the word cards, the focus sound is printed in blue at 4 corners of the card and within the word. Each of the words for the 5 focus sounds (bee, moon, rain, light, boat) is accompanied by an illustration. When the kids pick up a new word (eg “pain”), they can refer to the relevant prompt card (“rain”) to get a clue of the sound. 

(3) Play & Learn Through Games 

Of course, these are not just your ordinary “flash cards” - “Got It Learning” encourages kids to play and learn through fun and interactive way! The set includes 5 suggested ways to play: Word Race (discard cards by reading the words correctly), Word Sets (collect 3 word sets), and 3 sound-matching games in slightly different rules (Word Pairs, Word Match, Word Switch). Each game can be played as a reading version or reading + spelling version. 

# gifted in exchange for review 


Where to buy this: 

https://gotitlearning.co.uk/shop/ (Website) 


Enjoy the video! 

Friday, September 6, 2024

Little People, Big Dreams: Who Am I, By Kaddo - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Board game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Anyone who enjoys "Guess Who" games / "Little People, Big Dreams" book series 

We love “Little People, Big Dreams” - they are a series of uplifting, inspirational stories of incredible people that we look up to. Guess what? We now have a game version of it! We were thrilled to receive “Little People, Big Dreams: Who Am I” - Kaddo game from Quarto Group , and I can’t wait to tell you more! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) "Guess Who" Game - Ask Meaningful Questions That Truly Matter! 

This is a classic “Guess Who?” game featuring people with great accomplishments. The usual rules apply: One player chooses a character card. The other player ask a list of yes / no questions to eliminate guesses. One MAJOR difference: instead of asking question about physical descriptors of the characters (eg “does that person wear glasses”), we ask meaningful questions that truly matter - “Did you try to change unfair laws”, “did you challenge the ideas about race”, “Did you help improve people’s health?”. I love the great set of question prompts provided in the booklet and printed on the shields / dividers. My personal favourite question prompt is “were you arrested or imprisoned?”. The kids were confused - “Are they baddies? Why were they arrested? - and thus, triggering such interesting discussion about corrupted system and unfair laws! 

(2) Handy Question Prompts With Symbols For Quick Reference

Each of the question prompts (printed on the booklet and dividers) is represented by a symbol at the side. For example, the question “Did you invent or discover something” is represented by a lightbulb, and “Did you write a book” is represented by a book icon. The related symbols appear at the bottom of each characters on the game boards (for example, under the picture of Florence Nightingale, you will find 5 symbols (book, globe, cross, lightbulb, graduation cap). Once we get the yes/ no answer, player can quickly match up the symbols, and determine the character cards to cover using the counter cards. 

(3) Booklet With Interesting Biography Summary Of 24 Characters

I love the booklet that give us quick summary of each of the 24 characters’ biography. I also really LOVE the wide representation of characters from various industries - from record breaking tennis player Billie Jean King, anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, pioneering microbiologist Louis Pasteur, and many more! 

# gifted in exchange for review 


Where to buy this: 

QBD Books (Australia)

Booktopia (Australia) 


Check out more reviews of games from Kaddo: 


Enjoy the video! 

Golden Creek, By Laboludic - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Board game

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Board-gamers who enjoy games with pirate-themed/ secret "bidding" mechanism 

Golden Creek is likely the most complex Laboludic game I’ve tested so far. It’s a game that demands crafty planning, quick intuition, and a knack for mind-reading (or guessing) your opponents’ moves. I’m impressed! Thank you, Divisible by Zero —we’re loving it!

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Plunder The Most Treasure To Win In This Secret "Bidding" Game 

This is a secret “bidding” game where players must keenly observe and anticipate each other’s moves. Each player takes on the role of a pirate and is given 6 Ship cards. During each round, a random treasure token—worth 1, 2, 3, or 8 points for a pair of half jewels—is placed on each of the 3 islands, alternating between face-up and face-down positions. Players secretly choose a card and reveal it simultaneously to decide whether to “plunder” or “attack” an island. If two or more players choose the same card, the effects cancel out, and none of those players receive any treasure. An “Attack” card trumps a “Plunder” card, but an “Attack” without a corresponding “Plunder” results in no treasure for the “Attack” player. The game continues until the treasure tokens are depleted. Player with the highest total wealth at the end is the winner.

(2) Exciting Twists - A Light-Hearted "Mind Game"

I love a twist to the traditional “bidding” mechanism! For instance, when two cards are “cancelled-out”, the players get a “compensation” - they get to advance their markers on the Character card, gaining special abilities for the next round. These abilities might include peeking at a face-down token, drawing an extra treasure token from the pile, or playing two Ship cards in one turn. Alternatively, players can choose not to use the power and instead earn bonus points at the end. The mixed face-up and face-down token placements introduce a constant element of surprise. This game presents a light-hearted “mind game” where players must decide whether to compete for the highest rewards or opt for seemingly less attractive options, all while considering their opponents’ potential strategies.

(3) Gender-Neutral / Cool Pirate Theme

I love the cool pirate theme. The gender-neutral artwork is super badass and eye-catching. This game really stands out and adds a unique and inclusive touch to the overall design. 


# gifted in exchange for review 


Check out more exciting reviews of Laboludic games: 


Enjoy the video! 

Stone Soup, By Peaceable Kingdom - REVIEW


Nature / Type:             Board Game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids who love memory/ matching / cooperative games 



Remember the heartwarming story that teaches us the value of sharing - how a little scrap and garnish can make a huge difference and create a pot of nourishing soup for all to share? We’re so glad that we now have a board game inspired by this beautiful story - check out Stone Soup from Peaceable Kingdom (thank you VR Distribution for providing a copy!). 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Match Ingredients To Cook-Up Pot Of Delicious Soup 

In this game, players work as a team to cook up a pot of delicious soup with matching ingredients. To set up, place all ingredient/ magic stone/ fire-out cards face-down on the game board. Like a usual matching game, each player flips 2 cards over. When 2 ingredient cards match, place them into the “pot”. If they don’t match, flip them both over. However, there’s a twist: if a fire-out card is flipped, it will be placed on the fire area of the board. If all 10 fire-out cards are placed on fire spaces, then the game is over (BUT - there is a special “magic stone” card we can use once to flip a fire-out card face down). If the players can match up all 12 ingredients before the fire goes out, we win together! 

(2) Cooperative Game For 2-6 Players 

I LOVE the cooperative nature of this game (which goes into the very heart of the Stone Soup story!). The kids discussed, spoke-up, yelled-out, pointed frantically, and worked collaboratively as a TEAM throughout the play. The game can be played by 2 to 6 players. This is a great game to develop memory and social skills! 

(3) A Game With A Meaningful Theme 

Each ingredient card has clear, easily distinguishable illustrations on it, together with the printed name of the ingredient. I love the great variety of ingredients included (Tomato, Carrot, Onion, Potato, Peas, Pasta, Celery, Mushrooms, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Salt & Pepper). There is also a double-sided sheet with “A Tale Of Stone Soup” - the classic folk story that brought so much joy to people around the globe for generations. This is an excellent game to improve reading skill for our little people! 

(4) Environmental-Friendly Game Components 

 The game components are made with ecologically responsible FSC-certified paper and printed with soy-based ink. The rules are printed on the inside cover of the box lid. 

Love it! 


# gifted in exchange for review 


Enjoy the video!