USA Map Sound Puzzle

Not accurate

I was not happy with the way the states were divided. The lines of the states weren't cut accurately corrisponding with the pieces. Also some of the states where stuck together which I thought may be confusing to a preschooler trying to learn his states. For instance Kentucky and Tenessee are together. I can understand having to put Rhode Island with others because it is so small, but I couldn't understand why the others were. I was already disappointed in it so I never even tried the sound part, I just ended up returning it. Not satisfied.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Very disappointing

I was so excited about this puzzle but unfortunately it did not live up to the hype. It is supposed to be an educational tool but the pieces are not even the actual shape of the state and the capital is named when you put the piece back in place not when it is pulled out. Plus the recording is based on the light sensor so even if an incorrect piece in placed over the space, it will state the capital. Another drawback is that it is difficult to work with if all the pieces are out at once. There are no guide lines which would delineate state from state so it is really difficult for a child to find where the piece goes unless he/she already has some knowledge which really defeats the purpose of the puzzle. I am very disappointed with this because it had such great potential. We still use it but it is not as helpful as I had hoped it would be. You could make your own version with a picture and turn it into a puzzle or buy a regular puzzle map and it would suffice. With a few minor changes, this could have been wonderful. Instead it is lack-luster.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great concept but awful product

First of all, I love Melissa and Doug products. My son has so many that I can't list them all. However, this is the first product I have run across by them that was terrible. I bought it for my four year old son for Christmas. When he unwrapped it Christmas morning it just started saying state names and capitals. It would say it randomly. He would be in his room trying to sleep, and I would hear it in the living room. Finally, after a day I took the batteries out. Later I tried to put them back in and it still did it so I took the batteries out and threw it in the trash. What a waste! I truly love the concept about being able to put the states in but the design is bad.

Furthermore, the pieces move around so easily and I just don't like how they fit into place. I totally say buy Melissa and Doug products, but please stay away from this one.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Just OK

The puzzle sensors are not specific so any puzzle piece that passes over the sensor will cause it to go off potentially causing confusion. Example, the Oklahoma puzzle piece could be placed over Missouri and it would say "Missouri, Jefferson City" even though the piece is Oklahoma. Disappointing because a child that is learning/can not read the states could learn incorrectly. Otherwise sturdy wooden pieces that should withstand use/wear & tear.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This puzzle is Awesome!

I love all of the Melissa & Doug puzzles. But the one's that make noise are, by far, my favorites!!!! This USA puzzle is wonderful teaching them about Geography, plus teaching them the Capitals, and also learning the specialties for the states....or what they are known for.

Love it

Bought it for my 3 year old. She is a little young for it, but she already knows her state as well as her grandmother's and favorite cousin.

Where is the pictorial icon for the state of Mississippi?

I was going to purchase this puzzle for my young nephew as a Christmas gift, but decided not to because the state of Mississippi does not have an icon representation. It appears that all of the other states have a state icon that is related to the state. MS is a major state and should have a pictorial representation. My nephew's home is Mississippi. How can one market a product to someone whose home state is not fairly represented? This is unfair and poor design. I really like the concept and look of the puzzle, but could not purchase it because my state is not represented/presented fairly...Extremely Disappointed!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

GREAT LEARNING TOOL

MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS FOR MY 2 YEAR OLD SON AND HE LOVES IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE ALREADY KNOWS 15 STATES AND CAPITALS AND RECOGNIZES THEM ON ANY WORLD MAP.... I WOULD RECOMEND IT TO ANYONE...

Not so great

The pieces don't really match up with the template outline on the puzzle itself. Also, we needed to take the batteries out because it was "talking" to us all day and night.

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