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13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 a long time in growing old Oct 18, 2007
By pezzettino
This shape sorter is brilliantly conceived. Though intended for babies, its play potential continues well into the preschool years. I highly recommend it for every nursery.
* Charming design. The cheerful yellow-roofed plush house in which shapes are sorted and stored calls many warm and whimsical associations to mind.
* Cleanup and portability. All the birds fit easily into the house with little risk of them falling out. The handle is ideally suited for small children to carry or drag the house about without needing help from a grown-up.
* Safety and durability. No overlooked small parts, no rough edges. The whole thing is cleanly assembled. Should something be cut or torn in time, any adult can repair the damage with scissors and thread.
* Machine washable. No special care required! If you really want to keep the bird's eyes from getting scuffed up, launder them inside a pillowcase. That's it. (Just don't try to launder them *inside* the house. It will take forever to dry.)
* High play potential (aka The Good Stuff).
First, there is the face-purpose of the shape sorter: sorting shapes. This is a nice, cuddly version of a classic toy suitable for very young children. The shapes fit into the house with a little nudge, though the natural rounded-ness of the stuffed plush forms makes the rectangle slightly resistant to going through its straight-edged hole. The walls of the house match the color of the bird meant to fit in each, as a helpful hint.
Second, the birds make great baby toys all on their own. One rattles, one jingles, one crinkles, and one squeaks (though I doubt children will figure out how to work the squeaker until well into their first year). The sturdy wings won't suffer from being chewed on, while the fuzzy fabric of their bodies makes them pleasant to hold. Sized for baby-toddler hands, the birds are a wonderful exploratory toy in their own right, even before children rise to the challenge of shape-sorting.
Third, the birds are adorable, with bright eyes and perky beaks that make them look perpetually inquisitive, garnering their inclusion in a host of make-believe games. They've been welcome at tea parties, in princess castles, on Jack Sparrow's shoulder and on Babar jungle safari. There's an aura about them that's irresistible. Even when shape sorting has lost its educational appeal, the birds still come along.
Melissa and Doug have produced a real winner in this shape-sorter. It is a lovely, practical, multi-use baby toy that children will be a long time in outgrowing.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Mary Kate loves the bird house! Jan 07, 2008
By kcm
"grandma to eight"
Grandma and Grandpa purchased Melissa & Doug Deluxe Fish Bowl Jumbo Knob Puzzle and Melissa & Doug Bird House Shape Sorterfor our grandaughter (10 months old) for Christmas. She loves her new toys and is learning their names and colors. Everything about the toys is super. Thank you. Grandma
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Babyshower gift Feb 15, 2009
By T. Crum
I have not seen any babies playing with this toy so I can't review it in that capacity but what I can say is that the person I bought this for thought this was a very cute toy for her baby. The only drawback is that the birds have eyes that can come off. Babies really like the crinkly squishy shapes, and it would have been better if the birds didn't have eyes that can come off and become choking hazards. It says its for babies 8 months and above probably because of the eyes. Of course any babies younger wouldn't know how to use the shape sorter but they would probably enjoy feeling the birds and squishing them and chewing on them. Without the eyes I think this toy would be for a broader age range.
5 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 Lack luster as a shap sorter Jun 30, 2008
By Ivy's Mom
"littleln"
Ok. At first I thought this toy was great. But really... it isn't.
As far as a shape sorter goes... this is a pretty poor example. The birds are over stuffed and do not fit into their respective holes. In addition, if one DOES manage to a get a bird in to the house through it's hole, there isn't really enough room for all of the birds unless the house is busting at it's seems.
The birds are cute, the house is cute, but it just doesn't live up to it's claim of being a shape sorter. My ten month old never plays with this toy and shows zero interest in it. Not even just to play with the birds.
 Un-educational and uninspired Apr 26, 2012
By Snapnsew
I love all things Melissa and Doug, however, this toy was disappointing to me.
Each bird fits in and out of each whole, and the shapes are quite hard to distinguish so from the educational perspective under which it was purchased it is of little use.
I think the wooden sorters are much better, but in the meantime this is spening a lot of time at the back of the toy box :(
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