Collectibles Reviews

My in-laws gave this toy to my daughter for her first birthday. The bird "sang" when she pulled it from the box and it was the first time we saw her show significant surprise over a toy. It was a cute moment but the sound of the toy grew old quickly (as most "noise-toys" do). She was done and disinterested after five minutes with the bird and it now sits with her other stuffed animals in an old bassinet.

If you're into collecting stuffed animals and plushies, this is a fine addition. My rating is based on my own opinion - these types of toys have a very limited role in imaginative play. They're durable enough if not played with regularly and cannot be easily cleaned if badly soiled (immersion tends to ruin the speaker and electrical components inside).

I purchased this little fellow in Prague after being given the Dragon for Christmas. It's a remarkably detailed piece, with an amazing level of historical accuracy in the armor and armaments of the 14th/15th century. It's made of highly durable plastic, and overall it's rugged enough to withstand the rigors of entertaining youngsters. I bought several other members of the Schleich Knights series for my two nephews, aged 4 and 6, so there is minimal concern that the detachable parts could be dangerous for young children. The pieces come in two opposing camps: the Red Fleur de Lis, and the Blue Lion, and each piece has a corresponding piece in the other, with somewhat different design and graphics. This reflects an impressive variety in styles of armament and armor of the period, and vastly improves the educational value of the series.