Review submitted by John A. MacInnes – also known as the sweary Scotsman
Introduction
The Records of Insects book nook — also known as Insect Story — is one of those garden-and-bugs-themed kits that seems to exist under more aliases than a spy in a Cold War thriller. Mine arrived branded as a Fifijoy model, though you’ll also see it lurking under names like STRUCWOOD, KingStora, and Criolpo. Build difficulty? Listed as 3.5 stars with a 4–6 hour build time. I’d suggest taking that estimate with a pinch of salt… and possibly a biscuit for emotional support.
Kit Quality
To be fair, the laser cutting was decent. Parts popped out nicely, colours were good, and early progress gave me that dangerous feeling known as confidence. That lasted right up until near the end, when two wall panels decided to audition for the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They were off square by about 1mm — not huge, but just enough to trigger the deployment of my trusty portable mini sander and a few choice words not suitable for publication.
Instructions
Once the sanding dust settled and dignity was restored, progress resumed — though the manual clearly had ideas of its own. It seemed to enjoy making me jump back and forward like a caffeinated grasshopper. Page 13 has you building two parts that aren’t used until page 19 — by which time the main structure is closed up tighter than a biscuit tin at teatime. Getting those pieces in required hands the size of a doll… or possibly a qualified surgeon.
The manual itself looked like it had survived a minor editorial crisis. Some part numbers had been scribbled out and replaced in pen, as if someone muttered, “That’ll do,” and went home early. A refresh of the instructions would not go amiss. The kit also came with two cable ties, which I carefully set aside for later use… and then spent the rest of the build wondering when their big moment would arrive. I’ve yet to find a single reference to them anywhere in the manual, so at this point I assume they’re either optional, decorative, or included purely to test my patience.
Clamps were definitely the unsung heroes of this build, especially during the cabinet stages. A few mortice-and-tenon joints needed gentle persuasion (and sanding) to behave themselves. Nothing dramatic, but enough to keep you humble.
On the plus side, this kit absolutely begs for customisation. I went to town with moss, grass flocking, trailing ivy, butterflies, and extra plants — giving it a bit more depth and personality. The electrics behaved nicely, routed easily, and — like most of these kits — rewarded a bit of advance thinking unless you fancy rewiring like an electrician in a shoebox.
Verdict
All told, I’d give this one no more than a six out of ten. That’s not to say your kit will misbehave like mine did — but if you’re one of those brave souls who skip dry-fitting parts, I strongly recommend you reconsider. Your future self — and vocabulary — will thank you.
A charming little bug-themed nook with plenty of personality… and just enough attitude to keep you on your toes. 🐜📚
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