Thursday, June 12, 2025

Unlock! Kids - Irish Folklore Trilogy, By Space Cow - REVIEW


Nature / Type:             Escape room for kids  

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:     6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids and adults who enjoy puzzles and solving mysteries 

“Unlock! Kids - Irish Folklore Trilogy” from Space Cow is a magical game inspired by the enchanting world of escape rooms. Players embark on a journey through Irish tales, unlocking mysteries in a tabletop experience that feels like stepping into a realm of ancient secrets! Thank you VR Distribution for providing a copy.

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Escape Room For Young Kids With No Reading Required

There aren’t many escape room games designed for younger kids - this set feels like a breath of fresh air. It includes 212 beautifully illustrated cards, 58 cardboard tokens, and special components. It unfolds through a numbered card system, where players use their materials to uncover hidden clues and symbols. What makes it so special is that it’s completely language-independent – no reading required! All you need is a sharp eye to match symbols and follow the whimsical pictures. The artwork itself is a visual treasure hunt, making it easy for kids (and adults!) to dive right in without reading skills! 

(2) Unique Items & Special "Choice" Cards

I adore the unique items that are incorporated into the puzzles. You’ll sometimes discover translucent cards that, when layered on top of an art card, reveal new symbols to decipher. You may also come across special “choice” cards where you have to select between two items—choose wisely, or face a tricky trap! Another delightful feature is combining cards to create larger pictures, each revealing new symbols that unlock further mysteries.

(3) Mini Tutorial Set - Guiding Players Through Unlocking Process

Unlock! Kids has a mini tutorial set, introducing 11 cards and 2 items to gently guide players through the unlocking process. While designed for young kids, the puzzles aren’t a walk in the park! My 8-year-old was able to crack some of the more cryptic puzzles, relying on the hint cheat sheet for nudges along the way. The challenge intensifies as the game progresses, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.

(4) Immerses Players In 3 Irish Tales

What truly sets this game apart is how it immerses players in 3 enchanting Irish tales, each inspired by the breathtaking animated films of Tomm Moore: The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers. Players embark on adventures with a young monk, a mystical selkie, and a spirited wolf-girl, navigating through 6 games spread across the stories. 


# gifted in exchange for review 


Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesworldsa.com.au/products/unlock-kids-irish-folklore-trilogy

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/unlock-kids-irish-mythology-trilogy-card-game


Enjoy the video! 

Monday, June 9, 2025

Let’s Learn Action Words 让我们学习动词, By Mandarin Prodigies - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Mandarin book for bilingual kids 


Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Parents looking for engaging mandarin learning materials designed for bilingual kids

I’m thrilled to introduce Let’s Learn Action Words 让我们学习动词— a brilliantly crafted bilingual book by Mandarin Prodigies that’s a game-changer for young learners! This book stands out for its fun and engaging approach to Mandarin, making exciting for kids to master essential action words (动词). 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) 30 Essential Action Words 

This board book brings to life 30 essential action words that children encounter in their everyday routines. From 洗 (wash/clean) and 刷 (brush) to 穿 (wear/put on) and 画 (paint/draw), each word is carefully chosen to resonate with young learners. The book presents each action in Chinese, Pinyin, and English. With bold, easy-to-read characters and helpful translations, young readers will feel confident as they explore new vocabulary and its real-life applications!

(2) With Simple Sentences + Vibrant Illustrations

The book brings the action words to life with simple, impactful sentences and vibrant illustrations. Each sentence is thoughtfully presented in Mandarin, complete with Pinyin and English translation, while colorful images capture the essence of the words. Take, for instance, 妈妈和我一起做饼干 — “Mom and I make cookies together” — which is accompanied by a heartwarming illustration of a mother and daughter joyfully baking, rolling pins and cookie cutters in hand. As an added bonus, each page showcases two additional examples of the action word used in different contexts — like 玩游戏 (play games) and 玩积木 (play with blocks) — each with Pinyin, translation, and smaller, playful illustrations to deepen understanding.

(3) Sturdy and High Quality Board Book

The board book is crafted from sturdy, high-quality material, designed to withstand the wear and tear. Its compact, travel-friendly size makes it the ideal companion for learning on the go, allowing children to discover new vocabulary and concepts wherever their curiosity takes them.

(4) Exceptional Collection Of Bilingual Resources

Mandarin Prodigies provides an exceptional collection of bilingual learning resources, featuring board books in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. From engaging busy books and interactive activity workbooks to helpful writing tools, there’s something for every young learner. Be sure to explore their full range of educational materials!

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.mandarinprodigies.com/collections/kristins-bilingual-books/products/lets-learn-action-words


Enjoy the video!