Review on 🌍 Exploring the World: Melissa Doug Wipe Clean Surface Geography Puzzles by Nick Moody

I confess I've only had it a day. But I've uploaded some photos to show the overall quality and build for anyone interested in the details. The individual puzzle pieces are 5 mm thick. The puzzle board itself is 1 cm thick. I love that the *pieces* of the puzzle have the state name written on them, while the *board* of the puzzle just lists the state capitals. Children can't just match words, they have to think about what they are doing and so do I. :P You can't put a government figure in its place without paying attention to its capital. Great way to learn! As for the East Coast tracks, Mine has its own track. Vermont and New Hampshire share a piece; as well as Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia share a portion. Pennsylvania has its own, as does New York. The Eastern States grouping is large for two reasons. First, the pieces are larger and less likely to get lost. And it would be difficult for two little fingers to put these tiny states in place if they weren't grouped together. I love how the puzzle has a compass and how the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico are marked. . Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario are also listed *on the board*. The only thing I wish the puzzle had was a picture of Mexico and Canada as well as a way to represent where the major mountain ranges are. But then it might look too cluttered when it has everything. The board and puzzle pieces have a nice paint finish but I can't tell you how well it will withstand a toddler's scratching/biting or water seepage. poured on him. But for my 8-year-old: He looks perfect in every way. Melissa and Doug won me over again. "Melissa and Doug, United States of America, wooden jigsaw puzzle with capitals and detailed state outlines for ages 5+."