mizgnomer's Full Review: Fisher : Manny' Transforming Tool Truck
My 3 year old is quite the little tinkerer, always taking things apart to see how they go together. Although my son isn't a big fan of the Handy Manny television show, he repeatedly asked for the Handy Manny 2-in-1 Transforming Tool Truck for Christmas, and we could certainly see why it would appeal to him and his tinkering nature, so it was under the tree waiting for him on Christmas morning.
Product Description: Handy Manny is an animated kids' television show that airs on the Disney Channel, featuring a bilingual Hispanic handyman named Manny and his array of talking tools. Each episode features Manny and his tools going out and doing fix-it jobs for people throughout the town.
The Handy Manny 2-in-1 Transforming Tool Truck is a fairly large red plastic truck that also converts into a tool bench. Four of Manny's tools are included, and there are various things that can be "fixed" under the truck's hood and on the tool bench. Various sound-buttons on the truck will trigger songs or speech, including Manny (and others) asking you to fix various items, and tinkering with each of the interactive items triggers sounds/talk relating to that item.
Converting between truck & toolbench is quick and simple enough for my 3 year old to do without any trouble. You simply push a button at the back of the truck to open the back half of the vehicle out to make the bench, then flip up some panels and you're all set.
Four of Manny's tools are included. The tools are: - Dusty the saw - Rusty the wrench - Felipe the Phillips head screwdriver - Squeeze the pliars There are tool-shaped slots in the toolbox that sits atop the truck's bed, or you can store the tools in the ample storage space of the workbench.
When in truck mode, there are 5 different parts under the truck's hood that can be "fixed". These are: - The radiator - The engine - The air filter - The spark plugs - The battery
When in workbench mode there are 4 items molded into the workbench that you can fix: - A clock (remove/reattach the clock's face) - A toaster (remove/reattach the side of the toaster) - A camera (remove/reattach the flash) - A fan (remove/reattach the fan blades)
There are also some additional items you can use in toolbench mode - namely a vise that holds an included (plastic) piece of wood (presumably for Dusty the saw to cut), some clips for holding some of the tools, and a telephone (for various characters to call Manny and request repairs).
There are instructions for the adults to show how to set everything up, but there are also some blueprint-esque instructions that are more kid-oriented. The kid-instructions show the various things that can be fixed and explain more about what some of them do (for example, "The radiator helps to keep the engine cool by getting rid of engine heat").
The manufacturer recommends this product for children ages 3 and up. It requires 3 "AA" batteries (included). Our Thoughts and Experiences: I am impressed with this toy. It is cleverly designed and lots of fun for my tinkering little 3 year old. I like the fact that there are things to fix whether the toy is in truck-mode or work bench-mode.
Admittedly the screwdriver sees the most action in the various "fix it" scenarios. It is used the 4 out of the 5 car repairs and 2 of the 4 tool bench activities. The other activies can be completed with either the pliars or wrench. All activities can also be completed with your fingers, so even if you misplace the tools you can still work everything. To be honest, the wrench is a bit cumbersome to use, and the pliars are only a bit better, so it tends to be easier to just use your fingers to make those non-screwdriver repairs (but my son enjoys trying to use the tools sometimes).
I also like the way the toy handles sounds in regards to what your child is actually doing. Pressing the button on the truck's door triggers Manny asking you to make car repairs, and pressing the button on the workbench triggers a character to call and request a workbench-based repair. But if your child doesn't want to do what the toy asks you to do, then that's fine too. The toy will cheerfully make the proper sound effects and talk about the item your child is currently manipulating, encouraging them at whatever task they've chosen to do. The sound quality of the recordings is very good, and like the television show there are some bilingual phrases/words scattered throughout.
The various activies are geared just right for a young preschooler. That being said, they are simple enough that I don't see this toy remaining a favorite a couple of years from now when he'll need more complicated toys to occupy him (but luckily I'm betting his little brother will begin to enjoy it even as he outgrows it).
There is some very minor assembly required - it was quick & easy to do and didn't require any additional tools.
Although there is plenty of space in the truck's cabin, a Handy Manny figure was not included with this toy. A quick web search shows that there are Handy Manny figures available if you wanted to get one to drive the truck, but since my son isn't terribly into the show itself we haven't purchased one. One thing my son does notice is that he doesn't have all of Manny's tools. Normally he has 7 tools (notable because Manny counts them during one of the show's songs that plays in each episode), but this truck only comes with 4 tools. Sometimes the truck says phrases that reference tools that aren't included (namely the "Measure twice, cut once" phrase, but the tape measure isn't included). One minor gripe is that we cannot get the telephone to hang on its hook on the workbench. The truck's roof also pops off on occassion, but it also pops back on fairly easily and doesn't affect the play as a rule, so that is not a big deal.
Quickie Summary: Pros: +) Converts between truck and toolbench +) There is storage space for all the pieces in the truck +) The tools/repair items are all a good size for a preschooler's hands +) On/Off switch, for when you just don't want to hear it any more +) Easy to convert between truck & toolbench modes +) Interactive sounds and voices - including the characters and songs from the television show +) 4 of Manny's tools are included +) 5 interactive car repairs you can make under the hood +) 4 interactive repairs you can make to the workbench items +) Can use either the tools or your fingers to make each repair Cons: -) Not all of the tools from the show are included (nor is Manny himself) -) While not too huge, the toy is a bit bulky -) We can't get our phone to hang on its hook on the workbench
Final Thoughts: The Handy Manny 2-in-1 Transforming Tool Truck was definitely one of my 3 year old's favorite toys this Christmas. I am impressed with it as well. It is well designed and cleverly thought through, with plenty of sounds/voices from the television show. It is educational, teaching my son about car parts, tools, and even a bit of Spanish. This is a good toy even if your child has never seen the Handy Manny television show. It is a fantastic toy for my tinkering 3 year old.
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