Notebook Page, By Tranquil Learning Collective - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Stationery / Notepad

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Anyone who loves beautiful and high-quality stationery

The “Notebook Page – A5 Handwriting Portrait” and “Notebook Page – A4 Graph” from Tranquil Learning Collective transform the humble notepad into something truly beautiful. These pages elevate everyday stationery into artistic pieces that are as visually captivating as they are functional.

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Crystal Clear Acrylic Notepads

These are genuinely the most aesthetically pleasing notepads I’ve ever come across. Crafted from crystal-clear acrylic, they almost look like floating sheets of glass—sleek, transparent, and utterly enchanting. Available in two sizes, these acrylic memos resemble a tablet or iPad at first glance, but they’re really just two solid, elegant “pages” that blend function with design. They serve as a stylish space to jot down your daily to-dos, reminders, or favorite quotes. I especially love the polished edges and the minimalist clarity that makes every handwritten note feel intentional and artful. 

(2) Portrait-Style Lines & Grid Layout

The smaller A5 Notebook Page features delicate portrait-style lines, while the larger A4 version showcases a clean grid or graph layout with evenly spaced squares. The lined design is ideal for note-taking, offering clear separation between each line of text to enhance organization and readability. The grid pattern, on the other hand, is perfect for precise sketches or structured lists. Its symmetrical layout provides a versatile canvas for both creative and practical use. We especially love how both designs double as drawing surfaces—whatever you create, from a quick sketch to a full composition, appears like elegant line art suspended in glass, catching the light and casting subtle reflections. These aren’t just writing tools; they’re visual experiences.

(3) Colourful Wet-Erase Marker

Each Notebook Page comes with a colourful wet-erase marker, perfect for jotting down tasks or daily mantras. Crafted from high-quality, thick acrylic, the surface is durable, easy to clean—providing a fresh, clear slate every time. These boards are reusable writing surfaces that blend sustainability with everyday elegance.

(4) Convenient A5 & A4 Sizes

I love the convenient A5 and A4 sizes—they’re perfectly portable, easy to carry, and ideal for writing on the go.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

Contact Tranquil Learning Collective

Enjoy the video! 

Black Dragon, By Ari Games - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Card game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:   Anyone who enjoys a quick card game with strategy! 

“Black Dragon” by Ari Games is a surprisingly fun card game—both familiar and refreshingly unique. Big thanks to Divisible by Zero for introducing me to this fantastic game!

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Avoid Earning Points To Win

The game is played over several rounds, each made up of multiple hands. Your goal is to avoid earning points. In each hand, players play one card, and the “winning” player collects the pile for scoring later. This is a 3 to 6 players game, with 72-card deck. Blue, yellow, and orange cards are harmless with no point value. Green cards are trumps (bad news), red cards worth 1 point each, and black cards carry hidden dangers: spider (6 points), snake (10), and the dreaded black dragon (15!). At the start, players choose 3 cards they don’t want and pass them face-down to the right. Whoever holds the “Blue 1” leads the first hand. Players must follow the lead color if they can—otherwise, they may play any card. The highest card in the lead color (or the highest trump) takes the hand. After each round, tally your points. The player with the lowest score wins!

(2) Hidden Strategy & Depth

There’s plenty of hidden strategy and depth in the game. Choosing your three “unwanted” cards is your first tactical move. Sometimes it’s smart to play your highest card—especially if the hand is full of harmless cards. Other times, playing low is key to avoiding nasty devil or creature cards. Read the table, watch what others are playing, and get rid of high-value trumps as soon as you can! The 4 Safety cards are your best defense—they let you dodge winning a hand entirely and can be played any time, even if you have the lead color.

(3) Amazing Artwork

The artwork is a blast! The green trump cards feature a nasty-looking, sharp-toothed rat with a long tail. Red cards show a mischievous two-horned devil wielding a pitchfork and flaming mischief. The black creature cards are dripping with danger—each one oozing risk and menace. 

If there’s one thing I wish the game did better, it’s the rules sheet: a few more examples or clarifications would’ve made learning the game faster and easier. That said, once you get the hang of it, everything else is smooth sailing!

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.cowtrees.au/card-games/897-black-dragon.html (Australia) 

https://www.dragonflytoys.com.au/products/gi-get-it-exciting-new-numbers-game-copy (Australia)

Enjoy the video! 

Tiny Polka Dot, By Math For Love - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Maths learning resources 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     3-8 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Parents looking educational learning resources for young kids 

Tiny Polka Dot from Math For Love is an engaging way for children to fall in love with numbers. I was pleasantly surprised by how much my 6-year-old enjoys playing the games. Sometimes, simplicity is the key to great learning. Thank you to Divisible by Zero for providing a copy!

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) 16 Games - Covering Counting/ Early Numeracy/ Arithmetic/ Logic

With 16 easy-to-learn games and colorful decks of cards, Tiny Polka Dot playfully teaches math—from counting and early numeracy to arithmetic and logic. Designed by a mathematician and approved by teachers, it’s a fun way to help kids build a lifelong love for numbers. The box includes instructions and play ideas. For example, with kids as young as 3, we play “Match the Dot” (matching cards with the same number of dots) and “Dot Memory” (a memory game with matching pairs). As they get older, we add games like “Power Dot” (highest number wins), “Dot Fives” (find two cards that add to five), and “Dot Tens” (match pairs that sum to ten).

(2) Games Progress In Difficulty- Suitable For Kids At Various Levels

I love how the games progress in difficulty, making the set suitable for kids at various levels. For example, “Dot 10 Memory” is great for children around 6 —players flip two cards at a time, looking for pairs that add up to 10. “15s Go Fish,” ideal for ages 7 and up, plays like classic Go Fish, but with a math twist: collect three cards that sum to 15. Our favorite is “21 or Bust”—inspired by blackjack—where players add up cards in their hand, aiming to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Another fun challenge is “Pyramid Puzzle,” where you arrange 10 cards in a pyramid so each number is either the sum or the difference of the two cards beneath it.

(3) Eye-Catching, Colourful Cards With 6 Distinct Decks

I love the eye-catching, colorful cards. There are six distinct decks that each represent numbers in a unique way: the Green Deck uses dots of varying sizes in random arrangements, the Orange Deck arranges dots in a circle, the Blue Deck follows a ten-frame layout, the Teal Deck uses the classic dice pattern, the Red Deck features dots in two colors, and the Purple Deck shows standard numerals without any dots. These visual variations help children develop number sense from multiple perspectives.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.cowtrees.au/educational-toys/540-tiny-polka-dot-toy.html

Check out more reviews of Math For Love products here: 

• Rolly Poly, by Math For Love
• Multiplication By heart, by Math For Love

Enjoy the video! 

Who Flew the Coop, By Kaddo - REVIEW

Nature / Type:            Card game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    4 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids that love cute card games (especially one with fascinating chicken facts!) 

I never thought I’d find myself so fascinated by chickens. But then I met Who Flew the Coop? from Kaddo (an imprint of Quarto Kids ), and everything changed. Who would’ve thought that a few chickens making a break for it could spark so much chaos and hilarity? 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) A Variety Of Ways To Play 

The game’s rules mix the classic memory match and Old Maid with a twist of mystery - and we’re all about that suspense! You start by laying down 47 cards face-down, with 1 sneaky chicken hiding in an envelope. Then, it’s a race to flip, match, and eliminate until someone guesses the runaway chicken and declares victory. But our favourite way to play is the ‘Twisted Old Maid.’ The goal? Avoid getting stuck with the runaway chicken (the one in the envelope) - whose card has no pair to match. Shuffle the cards, deal them out, and start by matching pairs. Take turns picking cards from other players’ hands, discarding pairs as you go. The last player with a lone chicken card is cluck-ed out. We laughed so hard playing this! And for an extra dose of fun, there’s also a Pick-a-Chick magic trick to top off the excitement! 

(2) 28-Page Chicken Booklet

We adore the 28-page chicken booklet! Packed with hilarious and quirky facts about 24 types of funky hens and roosters, this illustrated guide gives you a peek into their personalities. Meet BIG DADDY—the Sicilian Buttercup, a wild, high-strung bird with a very particular personality (warning: approach with caution). Then there’s NINJA, the Ayam Cemani from Indonesia, a sleek, mysterious escape artist. ROCKSTAR has the rebellious energy of a rockstar in their prime, while PECK-A-BOO is the shy, easily startled type. 

(3) Cute Illustrations - Adorable Chicken Poses And Expression!

The illustrated chickens are beyond cute! True to Kaddo’s signature style, the two cards in each pair aren’t identical—they each have slight differences in pose and expression. You’ll be giggling at their goofy, zany looks. Take PUFFBALL, the Blue Cochin, with its gorgeous greyish-blue feathers and a submissive expression. Then there’s SNOWBALL, the round puff of fluffiness, and QUEENIE, who struts with beauty-pageant-level confidence, complete with a stunning black-and-white crest. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

Booktopia (Australia)

Kinokuniya (Australia)

Check out more reviews of Kaddo's products here: 

• Brilliant Bugs - Playing Card
• Little People, BIG DREAMS Double-Sided Puzzle
• The Sleeping Beauty Musical Puzzle (The Story Orchestra)
• Dream Big Bingo!
• Match The Mermaids
• The Poetry Play Kit
• Little People, Big Dreams - Amazing Women: A Memory Game 
• Little People, Big Dreams: Who Am I
• Swan Lake Musical Puzzle 
• Find The Fairies 
• Cat Family Christmas - Lift The Flap Puzzle 
• The Nutcracker Musical Puzzle (The Story Orchestra)

Enjoy the video! 

Let’s Learn Measure Words 让我们学习量词, 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 share about Let’s Learn Measure Words 让我们学习量词 - a wonderfully crafted bilingual book from Mandarin Prodigies that stands out not only for its engaging approach to Mandarin but also for its unique focus on measure words (量词), a concept often overlooked in language learning materials. 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) 30 Essential Measure Words In Mandarin

This delightful board book introduces 30 essential measure words in Mandarin, covering a range of practical and commonly-used terms. Some examples include 个 (a general classifier for people and objects), 只 (often used for animals), 条 (for long objects like fish, roads, or rivers), 双 (for pairs, such as chopsticks, shoes, or hands), and 杯 (for cups or glasses, like those for tea or water). Each measure word is clearly presented in Chinese, Pinyin, and its English equivalent. The large, legible characters and helpful translations ensure that young learners can comfortably follow along and absorb both the meaning and usage of each word.

(2) Simple & Effective Sentences With Vibrant Illustrations

The book also incorporates simple yet effective sentences and vibrant illustrations that bring the measure words to life. Each sentence is presented in Mandarin, accompanied by Pinyin and a clear English translation, with colorful illustrations that visually reinforce the meanings. For example, 这一碗面看起来真好吃 — ‘This bowl of noodles looks so delicious,’ is paired with an enticing image of a bowl of Lamian. In addition, each page features two more examples of how the measure word can be used in different contexts—like 一碗汤 (a bowl of soup) and 一碗饭 (a bowl of rice)—with Pinyin, translation, and smaller illustrations to further clarify the terms. 

(3) High-Quality, Thick & Durable Material

The board book is crafted from high-quality, thick, and durable material. Additionally, its compact size makes it the perfect choice for on-the-go learning, allowing children to explore new vocabulary and concepts wherever they are.

(4) Excellant Range Of Bilingual Learning Resources

Mandarin Prodigies offers an excellent range of bilingual learning resources, including board books in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. With options like busy books, activity workbooks, and writing tools, there’s something for every learner. Be sure to check them out! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

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

Check out more of my Mandarin Prodigies book reviews here: 

• Let’s Learn Action Words 让我们学习动词, By Mandarin Prodigies
• My First Mandarin Busy Book, By Mandarin Prodigies 
• Let’s Learn Opposite Words, By Mandarin Prodigies

Enjoy the video!