Reviewing CraftHub Premium Wooden Puzzles

Whenever I think about wooden jigsaw puzzles, I think of young children's puzzles with pieces thick enough for little hands and large enough to not be a choking hazard. But that was before I received a bunch of CraftHub Premium Wooden puzzles from friends. I have recently found that wooden puzzles for adults are pretty amazing; similar to jigsaw puzzles with pieces and pictures to assemble and similar to mental puzzles that require more brain power to solve. 

CraftHub Premium Wooden Puzzles

I had not heard of these type of wooden puzzles for adults until my friends gave me an assortment of them after they were de-cluttering. The tiny puzzle boxes continued my preconception that wooden puzzles were for children. Thank goodness that I'm nosey enough to give one of the puzzles a try before passing them on to charity donations. 

The Tree of Life puzzle was the first one I tried and I was enchanted.  I love jigsaw puzzles. I work on jigsaw puzzles multiple times a week, almost daily in fact. The unique shapes increased the level of difficulty. The hook shaped "arms" connected the pieces firmly while other pieces only abutted next to each other.

The CraftHub premium wooden puzzles are described as:

• Laser Cut Details
• Interesting and unusual shapes
• Vibrant colors
• For older children and adults (smaller pieces are choking hazards)
• A3 size =  finished size approximately 11" x 16"  
• A4 size = finished size approximatley 8 1/2" x 11
• Variety of themes - Harry Potter, DC comics, Lord of the Rings, Animals, and Scenery

My Experience with My First CraftHub Puzzle

I enjoyed these little puzzles immensely. As I said above, I only opened the box because I was nosey. I was in the middle of chores and other activities and had originally planned on just looking at the pieces. The colors were so vibrant and the pieces so unique that I could not stop returning to that puzzle over the weekend to work on it. Then I couldn't wait to start on the Owl puzzle. 

Some of these puzzles were unopened and some had been used. The used puzzles showed absolutely no wear or damage. With some jigsaw puzzles, the pieces can become bent. Or the picture layer can begin to peel from the lower, solid layer. These wooden pieces showed none of that.

Some folks may consider these puzzles as too difficult. Or stressful. But I enjoyed the challenge and felt accomplished after I finished. I am looking forward to completing the remainder of the puzzles passed down to me, then adding new designs to my collection.

I think these puzzles would make great gifts for jigsaw puzzle aficionados. The themed puzzles would make great gifts for folks who do not usually gravitate toward puzzles but would love having the item of certain themes. For example, the castle of Hogwarts puzzle would be an awesome gift for someone who collects all things Harry Potter. 

Related Links

CraftHub premium wooden puzzles for adults on Amazon

Official CraftHub Website

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard Collector's Edition Book Review

The book The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a spin off from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter world. Using words translated by Hermione Granger, a thin volume was created. It includes text and pictures from J.K. Rowling and commentary from Professor Albus Dumbledore. Packed between the covers are five stories, fairy tales called The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, The Warlock's Hairy Heart, Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump, and The Tale of the Three Brothers. These stories share glimpses into the wizards of Harry Potter’s world.

J.K. Rowling created an affordable ‘ordinary’ copy of the book that mere mortals like you and I could afford. Interestingly, it was created with a wide variety of covers and even re-released in 2017 with a new U.S. cover.

Rowling also created seven magnificent copies of this story by hand. Those amazing books were given to people closely related to the series and one of them was auctioned for charity. Take a look at those amazing books here in this Youtube video and see what those that have been sold fetched at auction.

I do wonder what one of those original handcrafted books would sell for now. Anyway, Rowling also released a collector’s edition of the book as shown in the pictures on this page. This version was more readily available though still much more expensive than the 'ordinary' hardcover book.

This limited printing collector's edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a beautiful set that was produced exclusively for sale on Amazon and released on December 4, 2008. I do not know what it originally sold for but as I write this page today in the spring of 2018, I see that it is available on Amazon at prices over $200 and on eBay where it appears to be more affordable, selling at prices starting around $100 and ending at about $230.

Included in the collector's edition are the five fairy tales that you find in all of the versions of this book. However, they are packaged in a handsome case that looks like a wizarding textbook straight from the library at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry making it a wonderful addition to a Harry Potter fan's collection.

Inside the case you will find ten prints that can be framed, a reproduction of J.K. Rowling's introduction, ten pictures that are not found in the standard version of the book and, packed inside a velvet bag, the copy of the book itself, which is embellished with a metal skull, corners and clasp as well as replica gemstones and a green ribbon.

All profits from the original sale of the book in 2008 originally went to the Children's High Level Group. Of course, that is not likely the case today. Click here to read more about the Collector's Edition of the Tales of Beedle the Bard on Amazon.

See you
at the bookstore!
Brenda

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Harry Potter Twentieth Anniversary Reviewed

It is now a classic 

Harry Potter Train Image from Pixabay.com

It might seem a little silly to do a review of Harry Potter since it has literally been around for twenty years this week. That is kind of my point, though. June 26th marked the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the first book in the series by J. K. Rowling.

The fantasy series geared to the young adult audience soon became an international phenomenon. Children (of all ages it turned out) were captivated by the young wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Their adventures at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry tickled the imaginations and funny bones of children and their parents. The most remarkable feat of all is that it created an awakening of sorts. A generation of new readers rose up out of the fog to READ books.

As each new book in the series was published parents were convinced by their children to wait in long lines at book stores to get their own copy of the book. Libraries couldn't keep the books on the shelves. I don't know about you but I think this was a most wonderful event. Anything that can introduce a child to the joys of reading is a very good thing and J. K. Rowling encouraged millions of children to do just that.

Let's get the next generation reading

So, I've been thinking that there is something we can all do to help the next generation fall in love with reading. It could start with our little friend Harry Potter. To celebrate his twenty years in children's literature, let's get another generation excited. How can we do this, you ask? 

Boxed Set Of Harry Potter Books

My suggestion is a simple one, really. If you have children in your life who have not been introduced to young Harry, get them a boxed set of the books to begin their reading adventure. Another idea is to purchase single books and donate them. Donate to your local library or to a children's hospital. Find out if there is a local shelter for mothers and children and donate a book or two for them to read. Volunteer to read at the local library or on the cancer ward at a pediatric hospital.

I used to be involved in an outreach program at my church. Every month we visited a shelter for battered women and their children. We had a birthday party for the kids that were there and having birthdays. This would be a great time to give each child a Harry Potter book. So, ask around and see if there is a church near you that does something like that. Donate a book for a birthday child. You could also just visit the shelter and inquire if you could just leave a copy or two for any child that might enjoy reading it.

Let's get another generation of young people excited about reading by introducing them to the magical world of Harry Potter. And thank you J. K. Rowling for sharing your wonderful imagination with the world!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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