Melissa & Doug Car Carrier Review

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(More customer reviews)We recently gave this to a friend's little boy for his 2nd birthday - he and all the other boys at the party played with it constantly! It says ages 3+ on the package, but the only small parts are the wheels, which seem well-attached. My 3 year old son liked the toy too, but the 2 year old boys spent far more time playing with it. The top rack slides down so the cars can all drive off the car carrier. I was impressed at how well-made the toy is and I came on today to buy another one to put away as a Christmas gift for my 1.5 year old.

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Melissa & Doug Toys - Wooden Car Carrier. This fantastic truck is ready to spark the economy by picking up and delivering four colorful cars. Its easy-load and lower ramps provide two levels for the new vehicles. Your little trucker will love hitting the road with this wooden six-wheeler! Share hours of fun with your child! Order the Melissa & Doug Toys - Wooden Car Carrier today, from Brookstone. Dimensions: 5.75" x 12" x 3" Assembled

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LeapFrog My First LeapPad Alphabet Bus Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought the original "My First LeapPad" in blue for our son when he had just turned 2. The new BUS design is good for both boys and girls and has extra features that the original pink or blue ones don't have. I recommend letting your child play with a friend's LeapPad to see whether or not they like it and are willing to sit still and concentrate on it. Some kids may not be ready for it until 3 years old or older, while some kids catch on at 2. We got The Wiggles book to go with my son's LeapPad and we couldn't tear him away from it. We had to show him how to do some things at first but after a few weeks he was on his own. One thing I recommend is to turn the LeapPad on and then hand it to your child. I have known several children who get too enamoured in the whole on-off-on-off thing at a young age and miss the whole point of the Pad. After a while they will be able to manage that aspect too. We know of 2 other toddlers who do not care for this toy (one is 2 and one is 3 years old), however my son absolutely loves it. He is now 2 1/2 and has several books and is not only entertained for a LONG time by the My First LeapPad but he learns things from it constantly. I am impressed. We recommend the LeapFrog phonics bus and Fridge Phonics as well--they worked for us. The My First LeapPad helped make our cross-country drive with a 2 year old much more peaceful than I'd anticipated. A few new books to go on it and we had hours of back-seat entertainment. I would buy this toy, especially with the new BUS features, again in a heartbeat.

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Prepare for the first day of Kindergarten in a whole new way. Shaped like a school bus, this My First LeapPad Learning System, works with the entire library of My First LeapPad books that teach the pre-reading, pre-writing and other preschool skills to prepare children for the first day of school. With two unique ways to play with the platform, you can either use it with the library of over 15 books including popular characters, or use the platform as an interactive phonics bus. When the book is removed, children can explore letter names and sounds by touching the letters printed on the bus. There are two fun letter games and "The Wheels On the Bus" song built right into the system. Requires 4 "AA" batteries (not included). Measures 14" x 2.5" x 12".

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Vtech - V.Smile - Ratatouille Review

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(More customer reviews)Our Experience
I purchased this for my 4yr old daughter who has nine other V.Smile Smartridges in her library. My daughter had been asking for this game because she had enjoyed to movie so much. We put the Smartridge in her V.Smile and started the game. Right from the beginning, I knew we were in trouble with this game. In my opinion, its geared for a slightly older crowd. I played along with my daughter and it became clear that she was getting frustrated quickly. She finally gave up and told me she didn't want to play anymore. Normally, the directions are clearly spelled out for the user but, that's not the case with this game. We learned to play the games by trial and error. The final reason that caused my daughter to give up was when she attempted to play the, "Anyone Can Cook", game. She decided to play the game on her V.Smile Pocket and the game would not respond to the joystick controllers and repeatedly told her she was out of time. Even I tried to play to no avail. It was quite frustrating to me so, I can only imagine how frustrating it was for my 4yr old.
Smartridge Activities
Learning Adventure
The Maze to the Market - Guide Remy through the town back to the Market. Help him avoid obstacles (obstacles are not very clear) along the way.
Choosing Ingredients - You are prompted to find a food item of a particular color but, only one with steam coming from it. After finding each item, you are prompted to label it as a fruit, veggie, etc. Because the items can be very small, its hard to tell what some are and therefore you can often guess the wrong category.
Into the Sewers - Guide Remy through the Sewer trying to find torn pieces of a puzzle that you will put together later. You have to avoid obstacles which, again, can be confusing. We went through the entire sewer unaware of what the torn pieces of the list looked like. They weren't easily recognizable. We had to restart the game and try picking up what we thought was more obstacles to see what the torn puzzle pieces actually looked like. Even the manual doesn't show a picture of them.
The Puzzling List - This is actually an easy game. It is just as its name suggests...a puzzle that needs to be put back together.
Back to the Kitchen - This game is similar to the Maze to the Market game. The only addition to the game is that you have to collect missing letters along the way to complete listed words.
Anyone Can Cook - Linguini picks up pieces of food and tells you that you need to cut specific amounts of it. You are supposed to use your joystick to simulate the cutting motion but our V.Smile Pocket joystick didn't respond to the commands. Regardless, it was a pretty boring game.
Learning Zone
Please Be Seated - Use your joystick to put name cards on the table back in alphabetical order.
Finishing Touches - Help Remy put garnishes on the dishes by picking the correct color or category of each food he asks for.
Stacking the Dishes - This game is similar to the old ring stacking games. You have to stack the dishes in order from biggest to smallest.
Sniffing Out the Cheese - This game is all about Math. You help Emile find the cheese at the end of each pipe. First, you sold the math equation and then lead Emile to that pipe to collect the cheese.
Microphone Section
Fun with French - You can use your microphone to learn to say different French expressions. You can use the book on the screen to pick and choose what words you want to learn.
Compatibility
The Microphone section only works with the V.Smile TV Learning System Plus, and V.Smile Pocket.


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Don't rat them out! Help Remy and Linguine create a new dish with a surprise secret ingredient. Travel the streets of Paris with Remy to root out just the right fixings and heaps of learning. Be the big cheese and lend Remy a hand when he discovers an unexpected mousetrap which will lead your gourmet rat pack underground.
Chock-full of learning, the Ratatouille V.Smile Smartridge teaches food categories and recognition, counting, number order, colors, puzzles, map reading, cooking methods, motor/drawing skills, directions and logical thinking and patterns. Based on the hit movie. For use with the V.Smile TV Learning System Plus, sold separately.

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LeapFrog My First LeapPad Educational Book: Thomas and the School Trip Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a new My First LeapPad interactive books and cartridges that I gave my son, since Thomas is his all time favour, he started playing with it right away.It engaged him in activities that develop vocabulary, spelling and phonics awareness. This book is packed with engaging activities, games, stories and facts that make reading and learning more enjoyable.
It is a good investment for me and the book is very much age appropriate for toddlers. Very happy with this purchase!!!

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Thomas the Tank Engine is excited to see children at the train station for a school trip. And your child will be engaged in the learning fun while reading to find out if Thomas makes it through his busy day in time to take the school kids home. Preschoolers just place the flip book on the My First LeapPad? player, pop in the cartridge, and touch any page with the Magic Pen to bring learning to life. ? 2002 Gullane (Thomas) Limited The actual item may vary from the photographs and/or illustrations. Part of the Preschool Discovery series, "Thomas and the School Trip" teaches numbers and counting, vocabulary, shapes and colors, classification, matching, problem solving, and opposites. Use the Learning Guide card to the right to find out more about the general categories of learning for the Thomas and the School Trip. By clicking a category on the Learning Guide card, you'll see a list of knowledge areas that children develop when they play with this product and the skills on which those knowledge areas are based. This is a cartridge for a MyFirstLeapPad and cannot be used by itself.

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V Tech Vtech - V.Smile Tv Learning System - Pink Review

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(More customer reviews)Education for us comes first so when we were choosing a educational game system, it definitely took some thought. We really couldn't decide so we bought both with the thought that we would keep the one that works best for us. Here is our review on both systems.
Leapster TV- I bought this system off of Walmart.com on sale for 39.99 ( reg. price 49.99) with a free extra controller ( which normally costs 19.99!). The game that came with this system was Dora, but since my 3 1/2 year old daughter hates Dora, we bought letterpillar. I had read the reviews for this system and heard the complaints about the graphics but I figured since she never played/ or seen a games system since neither my husband or I are into games, that it wouldn't matter to her. I was wrong.... the first thing she said when I turned it on was 'there's something wrong with the TV.... it looks funny!' She did play the dora game and my complaint was there is not a menu where you can choose the game you want to play. It goes straight in to a dialog and then pinata whacking at letters. After whacking at the letters it takes you to the last game on the game card which is throwing a ball at a pin with another letter. That was it! No other games, nothing! If I am going to pay 24.99 per game, I would like to get my money worth. And it wasn't just the Dora game that didn't have a main menu, the letterpillar didn't have one either and the graphics were the same...old and dated looking.
Now, I have had other leap frog products that I was very impressed with, but this system let me down. I was expecting so much more and my daughter didn't seem so interested... but i heard the handheld version is so much better than the home version...
The pros: games seem educational
The cons: graphics, no opening menu, limited games per cartridge
V.Smile Plus ( the newer version with the microphone and stylus)- I bought this system from Toys R US for 49.99. The game that came with this system was Alphabet Park Adventure. This game has a menu at the beginning with multiple games to choose from: Alphabet Adventure, Alphabet learning, and sing along. The alphabet adventure has 6 games to choose from to help grandpa find the rings to make his carnival work again. Oh, and there is a way in the option section to allow my daughter to have continuous life and if she dies, it starts her off where she last was ( very nice option to avoid frustration!). In the learning part has 4 different games to choose from. They are trace the alphabet ( both upper and lower letters), early spelling ( a letter will be missing and you have to find it), matching ( find the upper and lower case letters and put them together), and colors and shapes. And the sing along has about 4 songs where she can karaoke to.
I am very impressed with the V.smile. Especially the attachments it has. You can buy attachments for a dance mat, computer keyboard, joystick with or without the stylus, and an art studio game. And my daughter seems to like playing this system a lot better than the other one. The first time she played, I had to coach her, but after the first hour, she can now do it by herself. And my princess loving daughter loves the fact that you can get this system in pink!
V. Smile Pros: better graphics, lots of games per cartridge, attachment choices, opening menu, choice in system color.
V. Smile Cons: although my daughter has learned from the games so far, I wish v.smile had some of the game choices that leapster has.


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Educational video gaming just got smarter! Through our V.Smile TV Learning System, your child will learn math, spelling, logic and more while Turning Game Time Into Brain Time! The V.Smile TV Learning System is a brilliant breakthrough in TV gaming that combines a video game platform and educational content with a system that plugs directly into your television! This award-winning system plays Smartridges that are made especially for three to seven year olds, and features popular characters like Dora, Spiderman, Thomas and Shrek. Your child will love joining familiar friends on exciting adventures that guide them through age-appropriate skill levels and developmental activities. Each Smartridge includes four to five additional learning zone games that focus on specific skills needed in school. Two different game levels let children advance the curriculum and game speeds as they progress. The V.Smile system includes a jumbo joystick designed for both left-handed and right-handed users, four flashing buttons, and an oversized enter button created specifically for a preschooler's active hands and mind.

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LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Day Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great game. I would not recommend it for children under 4 unless your child is just extremely advanced. My 4 yo can play some areas of the game easily, but the word areas are more difficult and he becomes frustrated. BUT for kindergarteners this game is just right. My 6 yo is learning a lot, and unlike other learning software, she doesn't mind playing it because it's fun and of course there is the very cute and charismatic Sponge Bob.
The goal of the game is to get ingredients to make a new secret sauce. Upon completing the different areas of the game you are given some of the ingredients to make the sauce. So the children get the sense of reward for all of their work. That's been enough motivation for my daughter. It teaches counting, math, letters, word building, and there's music (I'm probably leaving a few things out) It's wonderful, a must have for all leapster owners.

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SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Day

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Leapfrog Clickstart Educational Software:Bob The Builder, Project Learn It Review

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(More customer reviews)My son just turned three and has been using his Click Start for about a year now. We absolutely love the Click Start system, but are not so fond of this game. He's played it four times since getting it last month, and has lost interest. It would be fantastic for a beginner, or as a first game for the Click Start. My son has the Diego game and that one seems to teach the same things in a more fun, more educational manner. With the Bob the Builder, even on level 2, the games don't take long to master and to get old. Each mode teaches something different, whether it's letters or numbers, or learning how to use the mouse and arrow keys. Once your child knows how to move the arrows back and forth and click on something, however, they've pretty much exhausted this game. Unless your child is just starting out with the Click Start, or is a huge bob the builder fan, I would recommend the Diego game instead for learning letters, numbers and use of the keyboard and mouse.

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Build skills for school with Bob and his Can-Do Crew! Three constructive activities, all with multiple levels, encourage computer exploration while introducing letters and phonics skills. For use with ClickStart My First Computer, sold separately.

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LeapFrog Clickstart My First Computer Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought this for our 2 1/2 year old, because she kept wanting to play with our laptop computers. We figured this was a better option for her, so she would not break our laptops.
She loved it from the minute we hooked it up, and has played it everyday for the past three weeks. She has not gotten tired of it at all since the more you play the more challenging the games get. We are still using the original set of batteries and the keyboard does actually turn itself off after 5 minutes of non-use. (Note...buy the AC adapter, so you can skip having to use batteries in the console unit)LeapFrog ClickStart™ My First Computer Adapter
We give it 5 stars for fun due to the fact that she wakes up each morning still looking forward to playing with Scout, and the Typing Tree. Not many toys can entertain and teach the ever important skills of keyboarding and mouse control to a 2 1/2 year old.
We give it 5 stars for educational value because she at 2 1/2 now has enough eye hand control to use not ony her little mouse accurately, but she can use a real computer mouse with percision. Counting, letter recognition, color recognition, following directions, phonics as well as nurturing are all addressed in the 4 games that are preloaded. The ability to add more games also merits 5 stars.
Durabiity gets 5 stars because she is two, has played with it everyday for three weeks and it still works! :-) She is not super tough on her toys, but has on several occasions carried the entire keyboard by the mouse cord. I was concerned that that mouse would stop working if the cord became loose, however, it is attached to the keyboard very securely behind a screwed in plate that kids cannot access, and you can actually replace it yourself with the replacement mouse offered by Leap Frog.
Again, this is a GREAT product!

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The LeapFrog ClickStart My First Computer introduces tots to the wonders of the PC and helps them learn basic computer skills. Ideal for ages three through six, this interactive toy plugs right into the television and teaches youngsters how to use a mouse and keyboard.
A Child-Friendly Design The ClickStart features a child-friendly wireless keyboard, plug and play console, and a child-sized mouse with a right- or-left-handed adjustable mouse pad. It transforms the TV into a PC, which allows kids to work on a big screen and the whole family to join in on the fun. The miniature mouse is perfectly formed for little fingers to point and click. Large, colored buttons make it easy for kids to learn basic keystrokes, and four friendly games create a safe, age-appropriate environment to navigate. ClickStart is built to withstand rough toddler handling, a plus for parents who want to spare their high-end desktops from child's play. And the wireless keyboard is light and convenient to transport from place to place, so kids can bring the fun with them wherever they go.
Encourages Age-Appropriate Learning It is never too early to teach children the correct way to use a computer. The ClickStart ensures that a child's first computing experience is age appropriate and pleasant, with engaging games that not only enhance basic computer skills, but prepare children for pre-school and kindergarten. This educational tool has four games that teach phonics, letters, animal facts, and counting, while sharpening a child's screen navigation skills. Friendly puppy Scout guides kids through keyboard functions and allows them to work at their own pace. Techno tots can click on a faux in-box to receive their first e-mail; it even has sound for nonreaders. Should the youngster ever become stumped, a hint button gives them a clue. Additional ClickStart software packages, sold separately, feature well-known characters such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer, and Nemo.
What's in the Box Wireless keyboard, plug and play console, mouse and mouse pad, and 4 learning games are built into the system. (Batteries are not included)

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Vtech - V.Smile Baby - Bailey Goes To Town (Includes Bailey Plush Bear Controller) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this for my 2 year old Granddaughter. She loves this bear. Not only is she able to have fun learning with it but she can take him anywhere with her when not in use. She is not tethered by any wires therefore she is able to move around the living room. Great product I would recommend this to anyone who has the V-Tech system.

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The Bailey Bear plush accessory works with the V.Smile Baby Infant Development system (sold separately) so that baby explores and learns with a loveable friend. The included Bailey Goes to Town Baby Smartridge teaches body parts, matching, letters, opposites and motion. Your child will also discover things at the park with baby sign language. The Bailey Bear plush accessory features a play alone mode for on-the-go play. For use with the V.Smile Baby Infant Development System (sold separately). Measures 5.8"L x 12"W x 13"D.

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LeapFrog LeapPad Educational Book: Finding Nemo Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this for a three year old, already owning several other leappad books. This is the first one I sat down with her and did. It has 23 pages to it, with 11 games to do. Each page has about 3 or 4 lines of the Nemo story to go with it. The variety of activities of the pages are nice too. Finding the animal they are talking about, i.e. which one has no bones? Jumping on certain jellyfish by listening to their description. Making music on the turtles Those are some of the games, I don't even think we played them all yet. It follows the movie story, although obviously much abbreviated. I thought it was quite entertaining and it takes time to do the whole book if you put the pen on everything you can. After about 10 minutes, my daughter started looking around for other things to do, but I know it wasn't because of the quality of the book. YOu know how sometimes you buy something and afterwards you kind of regret it, but I didn't feel that with this book as I think it can be enjoyed many times, even by an older child.

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Leap 1 books teach basic reading fundamentals. Each book helps strengthen phonics skills through fun, engaging stories. With this interactive LeapPad story, you'll plunge into an underwater reading adventure with all your favorite characters from Disney/Pixar's animated motion picture, Finding Nemo. PWorks with all LeapPad and LeapPad Pro learning systems, except My First LeapPad. LeapPad learning systems required for use (sold separately)./p

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Ecotronics Eco Phone Review

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(More customer reviews)We had this phone for several months and our baby loved it so much, but then the battery died, and since then we have not been able to shake it enough to get it back to its original sound-making potential. My husband will sit there shaking it for ten minutes, and all we will get is a couple button pushes and the battery is gone again. Perhaps we have a lemon, or perhaps the eco-battery is not all it's cracked up to be.

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Unlike Mom's phone, this take along telephone never loses its charge. Simply shake to power, no cranking or batteries required. 4 Buttons feature lights and 4 different ring tones. Push a number button to see the lights blink that many times. No batteries needed.

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LeapFrog? Tag Reading System (16 MB) Review

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(More customer reviews)There was an article about this toy before it came out in Wired Magazine. It basically interviewed the inventor and peaked my curiosity. So I purchased it. It is an impressive device by any modern day standards. Basically it's a camera that recognizes words and images on specialized paper (the limited series of books that you purchase). Once recognized it plays sound bites or reads the word(s) on the page that you are passing the pen over. It's smartly designed and a child quickly understands how to operate it.
At first it's a game and your child will just want to click on everything to hear the sound bites. As time goes by they start exploring the less than obvious features like read back and games. Before you know it you have a totally transfixed kid. It's great for a long drive and it certainly beats the pants off a dvd. I do believe that this device is positively contributing to my child's learning. I will say that the books vary in quality. I am writing reviews on most of them ; ) so you can follow along if you wish. To start with get Sponge Bob as it is the best of the bunch followed by Kung Fu Panda or Cars.
Last thought if you're still with me. This is a wonderful invention. I do recommend it especially for parent's that are looking for an alternative to TV. I just wish to caution that it is not a substitute for quality reading time with your child so make sure to read to them as well. Overall a great investment.
I hope this review helps.

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Introducing Tag Reading System, the revolutionary touch reading system that brings reading to life like never before. Tag engages children to make reading a rich, fulfilling experience. Children simply touch the Tag Reader (which looks like an electronic pen) to the book's pages, and words talk, characters sing and stories fly off the pages.
With a huge library of hardcover books and games including favorite TV, movie and classic tales, each Tag Book allows children to learn at their own pace, building their skills and their confidence. Plus, by connecting the Tag Reader to the online LeapFrog Learning Path, parents can see what their child is learning -- and even receive recommendations on what books their child could read next! Includes Tag Reader, plus the "Ozzie and Mack" Book; additional Tag Books sold separately. Tag Reader requires two "AAA" batteries, not included.

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LeapFrog Tag Junior Book Pal - Purple Review

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(More customer reviews)Ok, first off a comparison to it's big papa, the Tag Sr., which I also own. After the comparison I will list a brief pro's and con's list for the people who just NEED to skim through a review:
Regarding the reader itself (the pen thing on the Tag and the little alien thing on the Tag Jr.):
- Tag Jr. is way better for little hands, it's little "head" fits perfectly into my 2yr old's tiny grip.
- It seems to be a lot sturdier, my son has drops it once and again onto our (carpeted) floors and this little guy just rolls with the punches, literally.
- The Tag has a little pencil-like thingie at the bottom that activates the camera, whereas the Tag Jr. has a small circular butt, overall it helps make it much more resilient to falls and the accidental (or are they?) "slams-it-down" on the book mishaps during particularly exciting pages.
- The purple one is really pink, so keep that in mind if you're particular about your boy playing with pink toys (also, get your head outta the gutter).
PROS:
- It's a great fit for little hands.
- Feels sturdy and durable.
- The camera activator is much better designed for the coordination-impaired.
- There's a list of child names on the Tag Software so the reader can greet your child by name each time you turn the device on-off.
CONS:
- Chews through batteries! The manual says not to use rechargeables, but I use them anyway, it's just a battery hog!
- This one is PINK not PURPLE, I don't mind, but maybe you don't like pink.
- You need to take off the battery cover to reach the usb slot.
- The buttons are not as easy to reach when your child is holding the device and forgets to turn it on, so he will wind up banging it on the book confused until you find the small groove the button is in.
- It seems to not work if it's not somewhat level with the book surface.
Regarding the books:
- The Tag Sr. books are regular paper books, so they tear up pretty easily. Now the Tag Jr. books are meant to be used by little ones! They're made from sturdy cardboard and (some) have pretty, vibrant colors.
- The activities on the Tar Sr. are usually started by pressing on the specific "buttons" on each page, on the Tag Jr. they are streamlined into the experience, for example, if you touch the same object a couple times it may prompt you to find and "click" on another page in the book.
- The Jr. books seem (with reason, I guess) to be much more simplistic than the Tag Sr. ones, but that means you also get much less content and much more repetition on the Jr.
Pros:
- The books are made out of durable cardboard with (sometimes) vibrant and colorful imagery.
- The stories are more simplistic and easier for a small child to get "useful learnin'" out of.
- The activities are built into the reading experience and start when the same spot in the page is tapped in repetition, they seem fun, but my child just ignores them.
Cons:
- The activities are built into the reading experience. Yes, this is also a con, because sometimes my kid just wants a sound to play again when he touches the same image twice, as it stands, he needs to cycle through the 3 or 4 different sounds (be them activities or spoken descriptions of the objects he is touching).
- The books are small, this ain't entirely a bad thing, but it unfortunately means there's less things to do on each page.
- There's too much repetition and some of the cool sound effects are hard to find and activate.
Nice to haves:
- It would be nice to have the ability to "record" a couple sentences or songs from the books in mommy's voice, which doesn't seem like would be THAT much of a problem to implement by the support team. (Yes, I'm talking to you guys! Stop playing with your Halos and your plastic guitars and get working on this!)
- Get those popular Tag Sr. brands on this thing! Toddlers enjoy Pixar too, you know.

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A love of books starts long before children can read - and its benefits can last a lifetime.Using the same amazing touch technology as the TagTM Reading System, the TagTM Junior book pal is designed to encourage toddlers' natural desire to explore, while introducing preschool skills through playful book-based activities.\n\n \n\nThe Tag Junior book pal is easy for parents and children to use.Parents can download audio for up to five books to the book pal, then let their toddlers explore.Each Tag Junior board book introduces a different preschool skill - such as the alphabet, counting or social play - through 24 playful activities and more than 130 audio responses.*Open-ended questions and fun sound effects encourage children to take charge, as they touch any part of any page to bring words, pictures or activities to life.After their child has played, parents can connect the book pal to the online LeapFrog? Learning Path to see their child's progress and get printable activities to expand the learning!\n

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V Tech - Whiz Kid CD- Dora the Explorer Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a huge hit with my preschool daughter. Her spanish vocab is expanding quickly. The section titled "Story Book Island" helps with reading comprehension. She began to read three letter words a few months ago and this provides excellent practice!! She tries to read along with the narrator while the words are highlighted and every item can be said in both English and Spanish by pressing "say it two ways". When connected to the computer, Dora and boots come alive. Excellent learning tool! The only fault is one activity requires tracing, which proved to be a little difficult. However, with the variety of other enjoyable activities I have to give it a 5 star review!!!

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One day, Dora and Boots meet a friend who tells them about a secret, hidden treasure. Join Dora and Boots as they travel through five different locations: Musical Jungle, Faraway Valley, Puzzle Cave, Number Ship and Story Island. Along the way, you'll uncover hidden treasures as you learn about music, colors and shapes, logic, math and reading. You never know just what you'll discover when you open the treasure box. For use with the Whiz Kid Learning System, sold separately.

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LeapFrog Tag Junior Book: 1-2-3 Dora Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own the entire Tag Junior library. Check out my ratings before buying books! (I wish I had researched before buying!)
I can see why the previous reviewers were disappointed, because it does seem pretty basic. However I think the reviewer who judged 1-2-3 Dora to lack substance is missing some key opportunities within this book. It is not just sequential counting 1-10.
The book starts out with Dora asking her little reader, "We're going on a picnic. Can you help me count the fruit for my basket?" Each page features a different fruit (pineapple, bananas, oranges, guavas, limes, mangos, cherries, strawberies, blueberries, and coconuts). While my 3-year-old can easily count in sequence from 1-10, he has not yet had much practice looking at a picture and counting how many of an object are there, which is what this book encourages. Not only that, but for my 15-month-old daughter, it will teach number sequence, build her English vocabulary (fruit names), and both my daughter and sons alike will get a light introduction to Spanish, which I LOVE. We are already bilingual (English and Arabic), so introducing the #2 language in the USA will help them.
I rate this book 5 stars since a large age range will actually benefit from this book, as advertised.

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"Help Dora count coconuts, bananas and more in English and Spanish. This Tag Junior board book springs to life when you touch the Tag Junior book pal to any part of any page. More than 24 playful activities and 150 audio responses encourage little ones to explore while helping build confidence with books. Parents can connect to the online LeapFrog Learning Path to see their child's progress and get printable activities to expand the learning. Appropriate for children ages 2 to 4. Introduces counting, Spanish, and fruit names

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Leapfrog Clickstart Educational Software:Disney Princess, The Love of Letters Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this because my daughter (3) loves Disney princesses. While it held her attention for a while, the games are very disappointing. There are only three games with two settings, but no real teaching variety. The games center on point and click, arrow buttons, and keyboard familiarity - something the basic console teaches.
Overall, very disappointing for $20. Seems the game makers may just be relying on the Disney label to sell games - I fell for it, but I would not recommend it.

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Explore the wonders of early reading with your favorite Disney Princess friends. Join Belle, Ariel, Cinderella and their friends on magical adventures while learning important phonics and computer skills. For use with ClickStart My First Computer, sold separately.

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Oregon Scientific Batman Junior Laptop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Toys R Us has this exact same laptop for $19.99. I have submitted the "Tell us about a lower price" form twice but Amazon has not yet come down on price. If you are looking for a great toy and a great deal buy this from Toys R Us!

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Little learners can embark on a brain-teasing adventure in Gotham City with this easy-to-use, portable mini laptop. The alphanumeric keyboard features large, chunky buttons that are the perfect size for tiny hands. Teaches letters, vocabulary, shapes, colors, numbers, counting and memory through eight interactive learning activities and games. Laptop is lightweight for take-along play. Requires two "AA" batteries, included. Measures 8"L x 7.5"W x 6.5"H.

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