Thunderbirds Are Go! Dare & Rescue Sticker Activity Book product reviews

I made sure I had plenty of time to spare for Mr Six when I visited him with this book as I could see it would take a little time for him to check it out. We went through all the pages from start to finish so he (and I) could get an idea of the contents and I could also be sure that he knew how to approach the puzzles, but I need not have been concerned. He is already a capable reader and was able to work out the preliminary instructions for each one; in fact, he assured me that he could not wait to get started.

The book has a mixture of activities: stickers to complete puzzles or stories; stickers to just have fun with while decorating full page illustrations; word find, Sudoku, code cracking, line drawings to colour, and quizzes. Some are quite easy. He chose to start with one of the mazes and completed it in under a minute. Others will make him stop and think: in fact, some will take the better part of an hour and will really extend his skills of deduction.

The stickers were a big hit. There are plenty of them and they are easy to detach. Some sticker books are small and don't include many stickers, but this book has a generous four full pages which are designed to be removed completely so that the centrefold (a huge crossword puzzle) can be accessed. The stickers are brightly coloured and designed to appeal to young people. A few of the pages in the book itself are quite dark so the addition of the appropriate stickers gives them a more cheerful appearance.

Activity books are popular with children; this one has to be one of the most comprehensive ones I have seen. It would suit children from six upwards, but there is also a lot of appeal for adults who may remember the original Thunderbirds series on TV and who enjoy doing activities of this type with their children. The price is very reasonable and the format is attractive. It comes with a glossy cover and good quality binding which will stand up to a reasonable amount of vigorous handling.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book as being a great addition to any adult's shopping list when they are looking for something different to choose for a present - especially if the child is travelling away from home and needs something to do on the journey. It would make a perfect source of amusement on a long plane journey or during a wet day at the bach (or in a tent) when the internet is not an option. Altogether, a great buy.