Cute Shelf to Store a Book Collection--Guidecraft Safari Book Display
Written: Aug 27 '09 (Updated Aug 27 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great safari theme to fit into a child's decor! It holds so many books!
Cons: Assembly can be tricky with screws that are hard to screw in!
The Bottom Line: A great choice to display and store your child's books.
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| Bijou's Full Review: Guidecraft Safari Book Display 1 Ea |
I knew it was time to acquire a bookshelf for my toddler Timothy when I realized that his books were proliferating enough to take over the den. Books were everywhere! This is a kid who loves reading, so I knew it was only time until we were buried beneath a sea of board books. So, off to Kohls.com, where I spotted this cute Guidecraft Safari Book Display. Using a free shipping code, I was able to get this bookshelf shipped quickly, and my total price was $59.99. *Note--elsewhere on the Internet, this bookshelf costs over $70.00.
When the package arrived, it was a relatively lightweight item at 14 pounds. The book display is crafted out of a wooden frame and canvas pockets, so it was easy to unload and arrange for assembly. My hubby and I put it together fairly quickly; I will point out that the dowels require screws to fit into place, and some were hard to screw in completely. We used an electric screwdriver, but my husband had to screw some in by hand to ensure that they were flush with the dowels. However, the effort was well worth it, because the book shelf is sturdy and user-friendly. I would definitely recommend assembling this item with an electric screwdriver, however, because without it, your hands will be tired! This small shelf requires a slew of screws to get it all together. Although the two of us worked to assemble it (fine, I just held the sides up while he did the work!), the Safari Book Display can be assembled by only one individual. I appreciated that this piece of furniture's assembly wasn't a Herculean task!
Handcrafted wood sides and a panel bottom flank four, deep canvas pockets--the pocket depth varies from more shallow at the bottom, to deeper and wider at the top, to accomodate different book sizes. The canvas is very forgiving; it can be washed and it stretches to hold various fat board books. I can insert a few books back-to-back, and the canvas holds them in place. I am SO HAPPY to report that this book display holds a LOT of books! On each side of the bookcase is a cute jungle-safari theme that is hand-painted in a raised relief. My son loves the "raff" (giraffe), zebra, and elephant that take a prominent stage on its sides. The color scheme is versatile and cute enough to suit a nursery, a toddler's room, or a den overflowing with books. The base color is primarily blue, however, which some may prefer for a boy's room. I find it suitable for both genders because of the appealing artwork that adorns its both sides.
The bookshelf is suprisingly short but perfect for my 22 month-old to use; the measurements are 22"W x 12"D x 24"H--my little guy can see into the lower canvas pockets to select what books he wants to read, which is great because he's picky about his books! With those streamlined measurements, the bookshelf fits perfectly into my small den area. It sits agains the wall and is straight--no shim necessary. What I appreciated about this book display is that if it fell over--which, knock on wood, it hasn't!--it would not crush my son as would another type of bookshelf. This is a lightweight product that won't hurt your child or pin him/ her beneath a heavy piece of furniture. Yet it is still a solid construction--the canvas pockets reduce the weight load, but the sides and bottom are sturdy. This book display comes with a manufacturer's one-year limited warranty, so keep all of your purchase information.
While the product is recommended for children 3-12, my nearly-two-years-old son loves it. I've come to see the potential in this book display for holding other items besides books--Timmy has stashed my phone, the remote control, and a water bottle in the canvas pockets. I realized that eventually this handcrafted shelf could be used to house artwork, puzzles, or magazines. Someday, when he is older, I may shanghai the shelf for my scrapbooking paper. Until then, the Guidecraft Safari Book Display is a fun piece of furniture that has given me back my floor space and elevated my son's growing book collection to his eye level.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Bijou
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Location: New Digs in New Jersey
Reviews written: 132
Trusted by: 175 members
About Me:
I think I need a coffee addict intervention.
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