There Is No Planet B Puzzle 
by Guest Writer Roberta Shore

We invite you to read Roberta Shore's review on the following jigsaw puzzle. Since she has discovered the advantages of jigsaw puzzling, she has reviewed/journaled several that will be available on this website. 

There Is No Planet B Puzzle Amazon link

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There Is No Planet B Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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There Is No Planet B Puzzle

Gibsons White Logo branding
Ribbon cut accommodating a round puzzle
500 pieces
Finished diameter: 19.5”

My Confident Newbie Difficulty rating: moderate to Easy

Gibsons added the White Label line to be more environmentally friendly. From the Gibsons site: “The White Logo puzzles are made from 100% recycled board. The puzzles are secured with paper tabs instead of shrink wrap to avoid excess plastic waste.” This puzzle emphasizes Gibsons commitment by listing many behaviors that can improve our environment and help to save the endangered species featured in the illustration.

Quality: Acceptable except for loose piece fit and false fits. In this case those were a pretty big deal (*See Construction below). Otherwise, the small, sturdy box has the full design on the top. Inside are the bagged pieces, sealed in, once cut open, a way less useable for piece storage plastic bag (for the environment’s sake, why didn’t Gibsons package the pieces in a reusable zip loc bag?), and a small poster. Both illustrations are only a close color match to the pieces. There was a bit of puzzle dust. The solid pieces have some sheen - enough to compromise my photo. No pieces were damaged or together uncut. None were missing.

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. I sorted out each animal, the center section with text, the script animal names, and the pieces that had no writing or animal parts.

Construction: In truth, after all that sorting, I didn’t know where to begin. It looked daunting! There were so many small edge pieces, the pile with the central text was huge. I opted not to build the frame or piece the middle first. I decided to piece together each of the animals. I was truly surprised how fast things progressed after that. Next I tackled that center section. It was not near as much of a challenge as I had imagined. Then, I attached all the major animals to the center - they all found a place to join it except the monkey.

*Loose piece fit was in full force. Each animal was pieced together in its 7” square sort tray. It was impossible to pick up and / or move the sections - they pretty much fell apart. I managed, using one of those scoop tools, but be smarter than me. Piece them on paper so you can slide whole sections off where they need to go.

Next, I put the fish and smaller animals where they would end up. After some hunts through the tray of pieces with no animal parts, everything was attached in some way. I then filled in the remainder and found the aforementioned false fits. *Thank goodness there were only 2! Fill pieces that did not quite match the design fit perfectly where they had been placed. I was so happy with the progress at that point, I just calmly dealt with the falling apart mess. Lastly I attached the frame pieces. This thought provoking puzzle was complete! Let’s all take care of Planet A!

Final thoughts: Wow! This went from thinking it long and difficult to not much time and deeming it pretty easy. I am totally amazed. Of course, precise sorting had a lot to do with it; the order to do things was almost pre destined once I gave it some thought! But that order worked so well - this puzzle, despite the loose piece fit and false fits, turned out to be a lot of fun!!!

My grades: Quality B, Fun Factor A+

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About: The Joy of Assembling Round Jigsaw Puzzles

Tips and Tricks

Introduction: Round jigsaw puzzles offer a unique and delightful puzzling experience, different from traditional rectangular puzzles. The absence of straight edges and the circular shape of the puzzle pieces present a new challenge and an exciting twist to the puzzling process. In this article, we will explore the process of assembling round jigsaw puzzles and provide helpful tips and tricks to enhance your puzzling experience.

  1. Start with Sorting: Just like with rectangular puzzles, sorting the pieces is an essential first step. Separate the edge pieces from the interior pieces to establish the framework of the puzzle. However, keep in mind that round puzzles do not have traditional straight edges, so the edge pieces may have slightly curved or irregular shapes.
  2. Look for Patterns and Colors: Round puzzles often feature intricate patterns and vibrant colors. Pay close attention to the patterns and color gradients on the pieces to identify where they fit within the puzzle. Look for distinct features, such as repetitive shapes or unique designs, that can guide you in grouping and assembling sections of the puzzle.
  3. Assemble from the Inside Out: With round puzzles, it can be helpful to work from the center and build outward. Assemble the innermost pieces and gradually extend the puzzle towards the edges. This method allows you to create a solid foundation while maintaining a clear visual reference of the overall puzzle image.
  4. Focus on Small Sections: Breaking the puzzle into smaller sections can make the task more manageable. Group together pieces that appear to belong to the same area or share similar colors or patterns. By concentrating on smaller sections, you can work more efficiently and maintain a sense of progress throughout the assembly process.
  5. Use the Puzzle Image as a Reference: The puzzle image is your ultimate guide. Examine it closely to understand the overall composition and identify distinctive elements. The image will help you determine the correct orientation and placement of the pieces. Keep the puzzle box or a printed image nearby for easy reference as you assemble the puzzle.
  6. Rotate and Experiment: Round puzzle pieces often have a degree of rotational freedom. Don't be afraid to experiment with different orientations to see if the pieces fit together. Rotating a piece by 90 or 180 degrees may reveal unexpected connections and help you find the correct placement.
  7. Mind the Curved Edges: Unlike rectangular puzzles, round puzzles have curved edges, which can make it more challenging to identify where the pieces fit. Pay close attention to the curves and contours of the puzzle image. Use the shape and pattern of adjacent pieces as a guide to align the curved edges correctly.
  8. Patience and Persistence: Assembling a round puzzle requires patience and persistence. It may take longer than a rectangular puzzle, but the reward of completing the unique circular image is worth it. Embrace the process, take breaks when needed, and enjoy the journey of piecing together this distinctive puzzle.

Comparative Difference with Rectangular Puzzles: Round jigsaw puzzles offer a refreshing departure from rectangular puzzles. The absence of straight edges and the circular shape bring a new level of complexity and visual interest to the puzzling experience. While rectangular puzzles often rely on straight lines and edge matching, round puzzles challenge you to identify and connect intricate patterns and curves.

In round puzzles, the absence of corners eliminates the traditional corner-building strategy found in rectangular puzzles. Instead, you must rely on the interplay of shapes, colors, and patterns to find the correct placements. Round puzzle pieces also tend to have fewer orientation cues, requiring a more flexible and creative approach to assembling the image.

Conclusion: Assembling round jigsaw puzzles offers a unique and enjoyable puzzling experience. By sorting the pieces, focusing on patterns and colors, and working from the inside out, you can conquer the challenges that round puzzles present. Remember to use the puzzle image as a reference, rotate and experiment with the pieces, and approach the task with patience and persistence. The process of completing a round puzzle is a rewarding journey that showcases the beauty of circular images. So, grab your round puzzle, apply these tips and tricks, and immerse yourself in the joy of assembling this distinctive form of puzzling.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)