Rapido

Rapido, a catch-the-marbles game for ages 4-7, is an intriguing game that my three-year-old and I like to play together.  I make sure he gets one of the easy pieces, we set it up together, and then it’s a mad scramble while he and I (and sometimes Daddy or a grandparent) push our bamboo cylinders over the marbles to capture them in just the right pattern.  He laughs and giggles, and it’s not too frustrating for even a young preschooler’s motor skills.

An Oppenheim award winner, this is one of the few new games with an original, if simple concept.  Line up the bamboo marbles in just the right way, and be the first to finish.  It can easily be modified for younger players, by removing the time constraint element, or the element of competition, and there are enough marbles for everyone playing to each finish their patterns without squabbling over a particular color marble.

The materials feel good, the game is fun to play, and this is a great rainy-day activity with kids. 

I had only one complaint about this game — the enclosed rope is too stiff, making it difficult to really keep the marbles in the enclosed area.  Since the marbles are so light, they tend to hop over or roll over the rope with little force, which can be a problem if there are younger kids in the house.  But the game is adequately labeled, and there are no dangerous magnets involved, so as far as I’m concerned, this one’s a keeper.

Great pick, Parent Bloggers!

Kudos to Trader Joe’s

Kudos to Trader Joe’s.  When I discovered an expired product on the shelves this morning, the manager immediately sent an employee over to whisk the remaining examples away.  I wasn’t even through the checkout line when I saw him head to the back with the expired bags.

Of course, the bags were pretty badly expired.  It’s not March anymore, people.  But yay for them for fixing the problem quickly.

Raised by Wolves

Raised by Wolves, the new book by Christie Mellor, is a rollicking romp through all the things that the well-raised 19 year old should already know but probably doesn’t.  Her style is light and conversational, and her prose compelling even for those of us well outside the target demographic, both in age and experience.  (Sigh.) 

I couldn’t put it down.

Now, I’m pretty sure that you already know to pay your taxes, take the sponge out of the sink, and be on time, but this book and its advice just might be the perfect gift for a young cousin graduating from high school or college.  And if you sneak a peek at the text before you wrap it in impeccable gift wrap, tie it with an unwrinkled piece of ribbon, or just drop it in that gift bag sitting over there on your desk, well, no one would blame you.  This book is definitely entertaining, and an addictive read!

Now, when is Christie coming out with her next book?

This review was done in conjunction with the Parent Bloggers Network.