I confess. I’ve been in love with Springbok puzzles for half a century… with good reason! This puzzle is no exception, either. They started with a vibrant, beautifully colorful picture that instantly lifts my mood (especially as a lover and former performer of jazz music!) and put that great image on durable, precision cut pieces that have the main reason their puzzles have long stood in a league of their own: their jigsaw puzzles have pieces that are all unusual in the best way, none of them alike, no boring 4-sided (3 for non-corner edge pieces) pieces that are, for me, a bit overly easy to put together if the image isn’t overly obscure (I’d just as soon do digital ones if that is what I’m dealing with). These are super durable compared to 99% of puzzles, even top brands. The picture is vibrant and perfect for me (obviously, that part is subjective). This puzzle can easily be taken apart and put together again time after time without the typical splitting of paper layers, and the bending of the little round “bulb” style ends that lock into others. Another thing I love? These are FAR less dusty than the usual… they don’t erode so quickly like oh so many puzzles. Best part for me? THEY STILL MAKE THEM IN THE UNITED STATES!!! Everything from design to layout of the pieces (a brilliant bit of crafting all its own) to creating the dense, durable boards then gluing the pictures on securely to their precision machines cutting the pieces with the least loss of material so the pieces lock together so much more nicely, more securely than competitors. You can pick your completed sections (or the wholly finished puzzle) up and instead of doing what most will and tumbling everywhere, the pieces firmly hold together unless bent peculiarly, shaken, or intentionally split. They also use recycled materials to make their puzzles, a common sense option (to me) though many companies still choose to chop more trees down instead. Their puzzles are the kind of quality that I’ve seen some frame when they love a particular puzzle, even (not my thing; I am a solve it and share it sort)… the places where puzzle pieces connect really is smooth and doesn’t have nearly as much of an obvious sunken in border effect like other brands. In any case, this is the brand I’ve long favored whenever they have a picture I love. Their puzzles are absolutely fantastic for long term solving and sharing, passing along the fun until someone loses a piece (it happens no matter the brand, but it’s happened far less with this brand because the pieces don’t often fall off when chunks of solved puzzle are put back in the box, at least). I genuinely hope this company thrives for many generations to come as its products have been part of so many great family memories crossing generations as puzzles are a timeless and “ageless” way to spend time both solo and together no matter one’s age. For kids, being able to think beyond the typical rectangular shapes can also help improve spatial learning while the pictures naturally help the brain, too. As I age, I find they help me keep focused and keep my brain twirling and staying sharp. Whether you fill your time alone with puzzle solving, it is part of a cozy fun date night free of stress, or you have the whole family working together, these puzzles stand the test of time. A quick search into when the company was founded (1963!) verifies that indeed my memories of these unique puzzle piece shapes from childhood was this company with its name always reminding a bit of the Cadbury bunny (the Easter season of spring+bok bok bok bok bok sounds made “by” that iconic adorable rabbit). Easy 5*.
