Book/building set review: 'Busy Builders: Fire Stations'

Guys, two days ago a rather large box was delivered to my house. I opened it and found it was full of fun and colorful children's books. My kids have been going crazy exploring all these new (learning!) books and it's getting to the point where I keep warning them not to hide different books in their rooms (sibling probs) because I worry they'll disappear before I have a chance to formally review them.

Now, I know a few of you may be thinking, "Liz, you really need to hide the books from your kids, review them, and then hand them out. Not the other way around."

But here's the thing, part of me reviewing a book consists of watching how my kids react to it. I mean, it's one thing for me to think a children's book is cool. But I'm of the opinion that a good children's book should be loved by children. If my kids enjoy a book it always gets a higher review from me. Basically, my kids totally taint my thinking. But I think that's how it should be because they are the experts at being children.

Okay, so let's get on to the book review!

Book/building set review: 'Busy Builders: Fire Station' is an awesomely fun book for both genders

When I first saw this book I automatically assumed my son would be the one to play with it. I was totally wrong! My two daughters, one an early reader and one a middle-grader, were the ones who have been eating this book up.

Image from publisher

First of all, let me explain exactly what it is. This is a building set that comes in the shape of a book with a little 32-page, full-color booklet, a foldout fire station complete with a road, and several models. The models are all made from thick cardboard that has withstood even my most inexperienced assembler. While some of the models are just little firefighters, others are fun fire-fighting machines.

Like this fire truck:

Look how cute! The wheels don't move, but the ladder does go up and down.

Here's the helicopter:

The propellers don't move, but none of my kids have even noticed.

I love that my kids have enjoyed not only playing with this set, but assembling it as well. It's just hard enough to be a challenge, but not so complicated that any of them got frustrated in the process. The model pieces all come on several punch-out cardboard boards.

"Busy Builders: Fire Station" is a great set with nothing offensive in it. During the past few deathly hot afternoons, when it's too smoldering to play outside, my kids haven't asked for screen time because this set has kept them so entertained. They've learned a lot about following the included assembly instructions, life in a fire station, and have enjoyed playing with the models they've built themselves.

After assembly, this set takes up an area approximately 2 feet by 4 feet. According to my kids, our coffee table has been the ideal playing surface because it's flat and elevated.

See my review for a similar building set, "Busy Builders: Construction Site," here.