There are many positive 5-star reviews for this toy, but I would like to offer a slightly more critical consideration.

First, this toy is made in China.  Mellissa & Doug's original claim to fame was that all toys were made and assembled in the U.S.A.  No longer.  This toy is made and assembled in China and stamped with the sold-out M & D logo.  But, hey, it's cheap right?

The first lion was ordered for a child's Christmas present.  It arrived in a large box, was promptly stored away, and then unpackaged to be placed under the tree on Christmas Eve night.

Uh oh, this one has a wandering eye because it was mounted incorrectly.  One eye looks straight ahead while the other is looking about 70 degrees in the other direction and bulging out slightly.  It looked like either Santa or one of his more sadistic elven employees hit him across the head with a 2x4 giving him severe brain trauma and considerable eye injury.  As unpleasant as the lion appeared, he remained under the tree to frighten everyone with his ghastly appearance on Christmas morning.

Christmas day passes, and we order another replacement from Amazon.  The second arrives but had been placed in the box rather aggressively causing a terrible angle on the neck.  While this lion's eyes looked somewhat normal, his neck leaned unnaturally to the right side causing the lion to fall over.  He would only lay straight if leaned against something.

Ok, third time's a charm right?  Wrong.  This one had the wandering eye AND the nasty broken neck.  Urghh, forget it!!

This is just too big of an item to have major cosmetic flaws.  No matter where you place this thing it will be prominently displayed in your home.  The craftsmanship is just too shoddy and everything appears to be slapped together by some poor child earning 10 cents an hour with 50,000 more of these things to assemble before quittin' time.

Melissa & Doug earned a great reputation once for Made In The U.S.A. merchandise using real wood and natural paints.  They've now expanded, sold out, and are expanding into areas not necessary in agreement with their original creed.  M & D still make some good quality merchandise too... the giraffe for one was a great hit with no issues.

My advice, skip this huge stuffed lion.  If assembled correctly it would be a cute child's toy, but do you really want to gamble on shoddy craftsmanship?
There are many positive 5-star reviews for this toy, but I would like to offer a slightly more critical consideration. First, this toy is made in China. Mellissa & Doug's original claim to fame was that all toys were made and assembled in the U. S.A.  No longer. This toy is made and assembled in China and stamped with the sold-out M & D logo. But, hey, it's cheap right? The first lion was ordered for a child's Christmas present. It arrived in a large box, was promptly stored away, and then unpackaged to be placed under the tree on Christmas Eve night. Uh oh, this one has a wandering eye because it was mounted incorrectly. One eye looks straight ahead while the other is looking about 70 degrees in the other direction and bulging out slightly. It looked like either Santa or one of his more sadistic elven employees hit him across the head with a 2x4 giving him severe brain trauma and considerable eye injury. As unpleasant as the lion appeared, he remained under the tree to frighten everyone with his ghastly appearance on Christmas morning. Christmas day passes, and we order another replacement from Amazon. The second arrives but had been placed in the box rather aggressively causing a terrible angle on the neck. While this lion's eyes looked somewhat normal, his neck leaned unnaturally to the right side causing the lion to fall over. He would only lay straight if leaned against something. Ok, third time's a charm right? Wrong. This one had the wandering eye AND the nasty broken neck. Urghh, forget it!! This is just too big of an item to have major cosmetic flaws. No matter where you place this thing it will be prominently displayed in your home. The craftsmanship is just too shoddy and everything appears to be slapped together by some poor child earning 10 cents an hour with 50,000 more of these things to assemble before quittin' time. Melissa & Doug earned a great reputation once for Made In The U. S.A. merchandise using real wood and natural paints. They've now expanded, sold out, and are expanding into areas not necessary in agreement with their original creed. M & D still make some good quality merchandise too... the giraffe for one was a great hit with no issues. My advice, skip this huge stuffed lion. If assembled correctly it would be a cute child's toy, but do you really want to gamble on shoddy craftsmanship?