Shape sorters have been a favorite toddler toy for over 50 years. In fact, this finely crafted shape sorter has the look of an old-fashioned family heirloom, with a smoothly sanded, sturdy wooden box with rounded, dovetailed corners and a natural finish. The yellow, removable wooden lid has three openings in different shapes to accommodate the painted wooden shape blocks: two red cylinders, two blue cubes, and two green pyramids. In addition to color and shape recognition, this toy helps toddlers develop hand-eye coordination and learn matching skills by discovering that the square shape fits in the square hole (and it works the same way every time!). The small blocks can also be used for stacking and beginning patterning activities, and the box and blocks could also be combined with other blocks for open-ended play. Parents (and grandparents) who like classic wooden toys will find this an excellent value. --Marcie Bovetz is a former children's librarian and senior editor in educational publishing, as well as the author of 41 children's books. She has three teenagers in her family.