Hungry Hungry

Today I thought I'd do a little review for you. It's something new, and I thought you all might find it informative.

I will be reviewing the Very Hungry Caterpillar 4-in-one wooden jigsaw puzzle set. I bought this game for my two-year-old niece. As you can see in the pictures I did write her a little note that says:

To Dylan,

Have fun.

Love,

Elmo, The Easter Bunny, and God

I should say now that this is a forgery, perpetrated by myself. In fact Elmo, the Easter Bunny and God had nothing to do with this gift. It is all a lie. Dylan is so gullible it's crazy! I just couldn't help myself. While we are on the subject though...I want to say that I do indeed have a chocolate egg that I myself found two years ago at an Easter party that DID come from the Easter Bunny himself. He didn't write his name on it or anything...but come on! Who else would have been trudging around in the bushes Easter morning except the Easter Bunny? Ask yourself that! Unfortunately I still do need to get it authenticated if I ever want to sell it. I have left voice messages with appraisers at Sotheby's and Christie's and am eagerly awaiting a call back--but enough about that. Let's get back to this review. I will do all four puzzles and critique each one individually, and then the collection as a whole.

Puzzle one: 

 

I found this puzzle intriguing to say the least. It was quite challenging to begin with and I was excited to see that the hungry caterpillar really seemed to enjoy eating all that fruit! Surprised is not even the right word to describe my thrill in finding that he not only ate the apple but the plum too! I think the word is elated! That was really a twist that I did NOT see coming. My only complaint about this first puzzle is that the caterpillar didn't seem that fat after eating all that fruit? I mean, come on. I get that he's hungry. And I know that he ate an apple, a pear, a plum, a strawberry and an orange. I feel like he should have been fatter. It just wasn't believable. That is my only criticism of this first puzzle really.

Puzzle two:

I LOVE this puzzle! To begin with the caterpillar is fat which is all I wanted in the first puzzle. This second puzzle delivered big time! I was not disappointed at all with this puzzle. Well maybe a little. I do wish that the caterpillar would have been wearing shoes. Just some casual loafers or something. I think a Lakers hat would have been a good touch too. I think my generation has secretly always wanted to see a fat caterpillar at a Lakers game. I know that is obvious. Maybe my criticism is more about our society and less about this puzzle. Still, that being said...I do want to see a fat caterpillar wearing loafers at a Lakers game. That is just my burden to bear, I guess.

Puzzle three:

This puzzle is a mind bender! There were so many surprises. I thought I was going to pass out! First off I love the butterfly! Totally believable. And the grass in the foreground was a really nice touch. I really felt like I was there. I was even a little afraid that the gluttonous butterfly might try to eat me. I kept on having to remind myself that it wasn't real. That it was only a jigsaw puzzle. I was having so much fun by the end of this game, I almost started to cry with excitement. Five stars!

Puzzle four:

I loved the subject matter of this puzzle. I found myself particularly drawn to the pie and the watermelon slice in this puzzle. I do have to say--I wish there was some corn on the cob included. I would love that if I were a caterpillar. My only complaints about this puzzle are that it made me super hungry, and it was too difficult. I worked on it for a good four hours. And to be honest: I never finished it. It was a little too cerebral. I still enjoyed it however.

All in all I think this is a fine puzzle set. Especially if you collect caterpillar puzzles. It would be great on a long flight, or if you are ever snowed in somewhere and you have plenty of time. I recommend this puzzle set highly. I give it five stars.