Having purchased kiddie rods before, I was expecting this to be the same where it jams every other cast and doesn't survive the first fishing trip. I was pleasantly suprised this one held up really well. It cast smooth and was the perfect size for my small 4 year old (her 2.5 year old brother loved it too). There is a warning on it that it contains cancer causing agents (presumably lead from other reviews) and I really, really hate that. I looked everywhere for one without the warning and after 10 different attempts, they all have it. Would have been 5 stars otherwise. Shakespeare... DON'T PUT CANCER CAUSING AGENTS IN KIDS TOYS. Otherwise your product was great.