LeapStart Learning Table
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy (14 August, 2002)
list price: $44.99 -- our price: $39.99
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Editorial Review

This is a happy, noisy toy that should amuse most toddlers. Everything that can be touched reacts in some way, from a trombone-playing frog to a book that sings the alphabet. Our favorite is the colored keyboard that sings each color you press. The tabletop can be placed on the floor for those still in the crawling phase, or can sit on the included legs for a sturdy surface and leaning spot for little ones who are new to walking. If there is any fault with the Learning Table, it may be that it has too many features: each element of the table reacts in two different ways, depending on whether it's in Learn Mode or Music Mode. (Modes are switched by flipping the page of the book mounted in the center of the table.) Though this means more fun stuff for kids to hear, the mode concept is not one that they can be expected to understand, and the effect of the toy's inconsistent reactions is likely to be confusion. --David Stoesz ... Read more

Reviews (723)

Another Great Toy from LeapFrog!
My now 15 mo. old daughter received this table for Christmas.She really enjoys it and plays with it almost daily. It is a toy that grows with her- as she gets older she discovers different activities on the table.When she first got the table, at 10 mo. old, she played with the purple flip door and the center book the most.Later she moved to the trombone and now she really enjoys the banjo.The table is very sturdy and the perfect height for babies who are pulling to stand- she has never tipped it over.

Great toy!
My daughter got this table for Christmas when she was 6 months old. She wasn't standing yet so we took the legs off and put it on the floor for her to play with. She's been playing with it everyday since. She's now 11 months and still loves it.

Best table toy ever!!!
We bought our daughter this toy about 3 months ago and she still just loves it.She is 9 months old and it is one of her favorite toys.There are many different things to do.If your baby loves music like mine this is the toy for you.It has also been great to help her learn to pull up on.It's a great toy!!! ... Read more

Asin: B000062XQ8
Subjects:  1. Baby and Infant    2. Learning    3. Toddler    4. Activity    5. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    6. Electronic    7. Hand-Eye Coordination    8. Musical    9. Electronic Learning Aids   

LittleTouch LeapPad
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy (01 August, 2003)
list price: $34.99 -- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

With a little help from a bigger friend (parent, guardian…), young children can launch into the world of learning via interactive books. Little Touch LeapPad is designed for tots 6 to 36 months, with three distinct levels of activities and stories: musical rhythms and sounds; short descriptive phrases; and rhymes and early learning. Stories or activity cards snap into the book frame, along with a story cartridge. Grownups will need to help little ones activate the book pages by touching the "Go" button every time a page is turned, as well as showing young "readers" how to touch pictures to make them come to life with developmentally appropriate narration and learning activities. A comfy cushion is attached to the LeapPad platform for cozy shared reading time. Four AA batteries required (not included). --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (284)

Good Product.But, maybe not for babies....
This is a very cute product and a great idea.I was so glad that they came out with one for 6-36 Months.Our son was given the little touch leap pad as a Christmas present when he was 9 months old.The design of this product could be better.It is not a good design for the ages that they say it is designed for.A child this age can't push hard enough on the pad to make it work.My son is now 15 Months old and still can't push hard enough to make it work.Also, the "On/Off" button and the "Volume" button is right on the front at the top and is a major distraction to children this age. A child this age has a fascination with "buttons" and the only thing he wants to do right now is turn it off and on.

All in all, I think this product is nice, it seems to work and everything.However, I would hold off buying it until the child is at least older than 16 or 17 months.I think my son may pay it more attention in a few more months.

Frustrating, poorly made, but a good idea
I wish this Leap Pad had lived up to its potential! I was so excited when it came out just in time for my 3rd child.My older two had greatly enjoyed Leappad products, and I was eager to start my youngest on them too.I bought the Little Touch and 3 book sets right away.My daughter was too young at first to try them.I first gave it a try when she was 6 months, and she had no interest.So I tried again at 9 months.This time she was VERY interested, but it was a totally frustrating time for her.She caught on right away she needed to touch the pages, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't touch hard enough.She broke into tears after a short time.I tried touching for her, but she has little interest in books unless she can hold and mouth them.She tried holding the pages, and badly wrinkled several of them.It's not really a fun learning experience when you are constantly saying "no"!

I do like the whole idea of this product, and I think that if they overcame some of the engineering problems, it would be quite nice.I like the different levels, so that you can just hear music, or hear simple phrases, or hear the whole book.The activity cards included with each book also seem a bit more heavy duty than the regular books, but they too greatly frustrated us in terms of being touchable!

I also question including Where the Wild Things Are as one of the books.I love the book, and my sons do too, but it's NOT a baby book---it's probably fine for 3 and up, but not really something a baby would relate to.I think it's a choice to draw in parents, not babies.

I might try the similar Fisher-Price product if I can find it for a low price.Sorry, Leap Pad!

Also disappointed
My twin daughters got this product for their 1st birthday.We have tried to use it several times, but my daughters are more interested in playing with the on/off button and the volume button placed right on the front of the base than they are in listening and looking at the book.It would have been smarter for LeapFrog to have placed these buttons on the back or on the side where they would have been out of eye sight of little ones.I also agree that the touch pad isn't sensitive enough for little ones to push.It's a pain for even ME to get the different spots in the book to activate.However, I haven't had the troubles others have had with the pages ripping.They are made of a paper-type material, but have proven to be very durable.My daughters drag the leap pad around the house by the pages of the books and still haven't had one tear.BUT . . . the pages are very wrinkled making it hard to see the images and also causing the pages to no longer lay flat.My girls are now almost two and still don't care for the leap pad. ... Read more

Asin: B000096R0P
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Electronic    4. Alphabet    5. Baby and Infant    6. Electronic Learning Aids   

LittleTouch LeapPad: Guess How Much I Love You
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy (28 August, 2003)
-- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (8)

No interest
This is not an interesting Leap Pad book for my 16 month old.He has an interest in instruments, but not in this book.Even my attempts to use it before bed to calm/soothe him have failed.Better off with others books in the group.

Mainly Just Tells the Story
It's great if you just want your child to hear a story, but it's not as educational and exciting as all of the other Littletouch books.

Aggravating
I'm in agreement with the woman who found frustration over her granddaughter's book. I once bought my grandson a set of guitar strings for his birthday. Well, apparently you have to ALSO get a guitar in order for these things to work. Very aggravating to say the least.

By the way, this is a fine product. ... Read more

Asin: B000099Z39
Sales Rank: 727
Subjects:  1. Baby and Infant    2. Learning    3. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    4. Electronic    5. Electronic Learning Aids   

PEEK-a-Blocks 2-in-1 Activity Wagon
by Fisher-Price
Average Customer Review:
Toy (26 August, 2003)
list price: $34.99 -- our price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (184)

motivated our preemie to sit-up.
Our 3-month early preemie was sitting up with lots of assistance until introduced to this toy at 4.5 months adjusted age. She loved this toy so much she learned to sit up just to play with it. 2 months later she'll sit at it unattended for over half an hour.
This was our best toy purchase ever!

Good for a phase
Our daughter got several sets of the blocks and this wagon for her first Christmas, at 6+ months. At first, the adults got all the enjoyment of it. We would make the wheels go round, the lights go, the sounds boing and sing. She liked watching us, and would play with it for a while. Her favorite part was putting the blocks through the little hole, like a shape sorter. She certainly couldn't spin the little parts inside the blocks.

Our 4-year-old neighbor played with it too -- not only with the blocks, but turning it into a parade float ;-)

Within a year, our little girl was tired of it. It's now at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and I don't think she's played with it for a while. Maybe she'll go back to it some time. But boy, those memories of Grandpa playing with it by himself are priceless!

My 10 month old's favorite!
This is my son's favorite toy.He started showing interest in it at about 7 months and now he could play with this toy all day and never gets tired of it!He loves to put the blocks in the slots in the wheel and turn the wheel.I don't know what we would do without it!! ... Read more

Asin: B00008PW0H
Sales Rank: 48
Subjects:  1. Baby and Infant    2. Construction    3. Blocks    4. Toddler    5. Push and Pull Toys   

Fisher Price Sound Sensations and Barnyard Friends Peek-a-Blocks
by Fisher-Price
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Reviews (24)

A Nice Idea . . .
My friends and I agree that these blocks are really appealing to US, but our children don't seem to find them that interesting.It's hard to stack more than 2, and while the themes are fun, they just haven't been a big hit.We own many of the Peek a Block sets, including the circus train, and I will say that the sounds and barnyard animals are the favorites.My son is nearing age 2, and we still get the blocks out to play, but they don't have the same appeal that the Fisher Price farm/zoo/playground sets have--or even basic nesting/stacking toys.I would recommend you test drive this toy with your child before you invest in them--as colorful and fun as they seem to be.

Waste of Money!
My 18month old son was not impressed with these blocks...he loves his Imaginarium wooden blocks. They are not as easy to stack than the wooden. I thought they were cool, but maybe he will find more interest in them later on.

The best of all the sets for an almost toddler
I went peek-a-block crazy when my daughter turned 6 months.Of all the sets littering the house/diaperbag/truck/grandmas these two are some of the best for a younger child.

The barnyard set can be used along with the baby MacDonald video from baby einstein to teach barnyard animals.The animals are a nice mixture of movemebt and noise, especially the 'mud' in the pig block.

The sounds sensation blocks are also very captivating and make noice without being loud enough to be headache makers.My Daughter recently figured out one with a rocker style switch and loves making it go plonk now.

These blocks have yet to be destroyed by my husband who has stepped on more than a few of them accidently in his work boots.For price and long term use these are wonderful!

one fair warning, they are addictive :) but luckily are priced so that you really can get them all.

My daughter is now ten months old and loving her peek-a-blocks more each day. ... Read more

Asin: B00008XYR8
Sales Rank: 3155
Subjects:  1. Baby and Infant    2. Construction    3. Blocks    4. Learning    5. Toddler   

Sight & Learning Blocks
by Fisher-Price
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Reviews (31)

Great toy addition!
I purchased this toy for my 9 month old daughter and she absolutely loves it! She loves to grab up all the blocks and bang them together and chew on them. My 3 yr. old daughter loves to play with them too and when she stacks them up little sister loves to knock them down. Each block has lots of colors & different objects inside them which keeps my 9 month old intrieged and my 3 yr. old entertained. I highly recomend these! I also bought the Fisher Price Train & blocks set and she loves that too!

My son would not touch these
From the time he was six months old till now when he is 16 months old. He never would touch these! He liked the leapfrog drum and the activty tables but not these. I gave them away because they were worthless to me and my family. Very boring toy for imaginitive children.

Coolest Blocks Out There
I love Peek a blocks. They have many low priced accessories that can be purchased for the blocks. Like the dump truck, the giraffe, the activity block the little pully wagon thingy, the circus elephant and more.

My son is loves to look in them. I do too. I love the fact that there are so many different themes behind the blocks and they all are compatable with all the many accessories. ... Read more

Asin: B00008XYR7
Sales Rank: 4151
Subjects:  1. Baby and Infant    2. Construction    3. Blocks    4. Learning    5. Toddler   

My Shapes/ Mis Formas
by Little, Brown
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 September, 2000)
list price: $5.99 -- our price: $5.99
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Reviews (5)

Simple but good
This book is very simple, but right now my 12 month old son picks it every day without fail. He even laughs at "square", I am not sure why. I got it as a gift from a friend who had to go buy one for her son because he always wanted it from the library. Neither of us are Spanish speakers - that might be a nice feature, but the book works fine in English.

This book succeeds where some others fail
I appreciate this book as well as the "My Colors" book by the same author because they take the time to seperate shapes and colors.In some series, the two are combined and I feel that they should be taught seperately.

A great series for early language acquisition
I have been using this entire series with my son since he was born, and he is now 14 months.He loves the pictures and turning the pages.The books use the format of one word per page and it gives both the English and Spanish form of the word.This is a great series for early language acquisition. ... Read more

Isbn: 0316233552
Sales Rank: 31232
Subjects:  1. Bilingual    2. Children's Baby/Preschool    3. Concepts - Size & Shape    4. Geometry    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Shape    8. Spanish language materials    9. Spanish: Preschool    10. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Size & Shape   

My Colors/ Mis Colores
by Little, Brown
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 September, 2000)
list price: $5.95 -- our price: $5.95
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Reviews (9)

In response to Roberta Harding Comments...
Roberta we are reviewing a children's book here, not a grammatical piece of art. By the way, I speak Spanish (native) and I don't see anything tremendously wrong with this book.

Error-filled
As other reviewers have noted, there are problems with this book, despite its laudable intent. In short, it is doubtful that the author speaks fluent Spanish herself, and it seems as if she simply opened a Spanish-English dictionary to create the book.

For example, for 'azul/blue' she displays a fish, which she calls a "pescado." As any second-year Spanish student can tell you, the animal is a 'pez' whereas prepared food is called 'pescado' (literally, "that which has been fished"). Also, on the back cover she writes "¡Recolecte todos los libres en la serie!" (Collect all the books in the series). The verb "recolectar" means "to gather", not "to collect" as in a collection (she needed to use "coleccionar")

As a Spanish professor, I commend her good intentions with this book, but I cannot recommend this book until the errors are corrected.

Great way to teach colors in English & Spanish
At first, I resisted purchasing books from this series because I wanted an actual picture of whatever was being described, like in the "My First Board Book" series by DK Publishing.However, I believe that "Mis Colores" is an excellent way to teach colors, and succeeds in one place where the Board Book Series (and some others) fail.I do not like when colors and shapes are combined, for example, "red square."

In regards to another reviewer's comments, my understanding of Spanish is that the article is placed before the noun, so "el pescado" is correct and just "pescado" is not.This is also another detail that I have noticed many bilingual board books lack. ... Read more

Isbn: 0316233471
Sales Rank: 67632
Subjects:  1. Bilingual    2. Children's Baby/Preschool    3. Color    4. Colors    5. Concepts - Colors    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Spanish language materials    9. Spanish: Preschool    10. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Colors   

My Numbers/ Mis Numeros
by Little, Brown
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 September, 2000)
list price: $5.99 -- our price: $5.39
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (5)

A bold bright addition to any collection of children's books
A enjoy looking at this book just as much as my children do. I am a mother of 4 and a preschool teacher. The colors in this book are simple and bold. It is a great resource for teaching Spanish/English and numbers in the classroom. I like the fact that the Spanish words are not the simplest choices. It challenges the Spanish learner in me. I use this book with pre-schoolers mainly 2 year olds. It is easily adaptable to the older classroom learning Spanish.

A great series for early language acquisition
I have been using this entire series with my son since he was born, and he is now 14 months.He loves the pictures and turning the pages.The books use the format of one word per page and it gives both the English and Spanish form of the word.This is a great series for early language acquisition.

Great for early language acquisition
I have been using this entire series with my son since he was born, and he is now 14 months.He loves the pictures and turning the pages.The books use the format of one word per page and it gives both the English and Spanish form of the word.This is a great series for early language acquisition. ... Read more

Isbn: 0316233501
Sales Rank: 29457
Subjects:  1. Bilingual    2. Children's Baby/Preschool    3. Concepts - Counting    4. Counting    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Spanish language materials    8. Spanish: Preschool    9. Vocabulary    10. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Counting   

What Makes a Rainbow?: Pop-Up
by Piggy Toes Press
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 February, 2000)
list price: $8.95 -- our price: $8.95
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Reviews (29)

More Durable Than it Looks
This sweet book is much more durable than it looks!With the turn of each page, a colorful ribbon is added and by the end of the book, all the colors of ribbon have created a beautiful rainbow. Surprisingly, the book is quite sturdy and durable, yet, I wouldn't put it in the hands of a child younger than 2 1/2,just to be sure!

I've been using this book to teach my children their colors.It's simple.I love it and they love it.

What Makes a Rainbow?
Love the bright colors!My three-year-old nephew wanted to turn the pages to see the rainbow over and over.In fact, the concept is so original I had to run through it myself a few times before even showing it to him.

There are many board books on the market, but this one is different and just plain fun.A truly happy book, and sturdy.It will get a lot wear.I would like to see others in a series by the same authors.Let's hope we'll see more by these people.

Terrific Gift
I recently purchased three copies of WHAT MAKES A RAINBOW? for my friends' kids.What an excellent book!With each turn of the page a new ribbon appears of a different color to form a rainbow at the end of the book.The text is great and the whole concept is amazing!It's so different and fun that each child remembers that I gave them the book and tells me about it.One friend even phoned to tell me her son took the book to show and tell in his preschool.This book is the perfect gift for birthdays or holidays.I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Isbn: 1581170769
Sales Rank: 28696
Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Pop-Ups    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Color    5. Concepts - Colors    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Rainbow    9. Specimens    10. Toy and movable books   

The Monster at the End of This Book (Big Bird's Favorites Board Books)
by Random House Books for Young Readers
Average Customer Review:
Board book (27 June, 2000)
list price: $4.99 -- our price: $4.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (77)

Absolutely Fantastic!
This was one of my favourite books when I was younger.Although I am not 28 years old, I still own my copy.I've read it over the years to various children I've babysat and to my 2 boys.They ALL love the book.It's funny and makes you laugh.It also is suspenseful for the first-time reader.Great book!

As good as it gets
You will never find a better book to read aloud to your toddler.

The Monster at the End of This Book is an interactive adventure with Grover, who knows that something is wrong as soon as he sees the title on the cover page. "What did that say?" he asks. "On the first page, what did that say? Did that say there will be a MONSTER at the end of this book??? It did? Oh, I am so scared of Monsters!!!"

As the book progresses, Grover does everything he can to prevent you from turning the page, from tying the pages down with ropes to begging. Your child will love the feeling of empowerment as he or she steamrolls Grover's objections time and time again.

In the end, of course, it turns out that Grover has forgotten that he, himself is a monster, and so has nothing to fear.

I've read hundreds and hundreds of picture books for children, and nothing has beaten this magical formula for laughter and interaction. You must read this book to your child.

Favorite book as a child, and still a fave today!
I loved this book so much when I was little!It was the first book I was able to read on my own.One of my favorite parts is the inside cover where Grover says "This is a very dull page.Let us see what is on the next page" and then he flips out on the next page when he realizes what the name of the book means!The first time I read this book I was so scared that there would be this big scary monster at the end of the book, and now that I'm older I laugh thinking about who the 'monster' actually was how scared I was along with Grover!

I love how creative and interactive this book is, with Grover trying to stop you from getting to the end of the book by building brick walls, and using rope to tie the pages together.And I remember how much I laughed whenever I turned to the next page and all of Grover's hard work would be in shambles, with Grover buried in the wreckage.I get so nostalgic thinking about this book, my favorite as a child, and still one of my favorites today!I'm 18 now and I still love this book so much!I can't wait to read it to all of my toddler cousins! ... Read more

Isbn: 0375805613
Sales Rank: 11615
Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Fiction    4. Horror & Ghost Stories    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Monsters    8. Puppets    9. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    10. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Baby Einstein - Baby Van Gogh - World of Colors
by Buena Vista Home Vid
Average Customer Review:
DVD (26 March, 2002)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The Baby Einstein Company's "video board books" were designed as music-focused developmental tools to stimulate babies' brains (prompted by researchproving that exposure to classical melodies can improve verbal ability, spatialintelligence, creativity, and memory in youngsters). Now the company isexpanding into other art forms, including color and art. The idea remains thesame--taking bold, beautiful objects (toys, puppets, nature scenes) and settingthem to fun renditions of classical music (their recordings are easily the bestin the crowded field of child development). A new puppet--Vincent Van Goat--introduces the six primary colors and associates them with Van Gogh'spaintings--"The Starry Night" for blue, "Wheat Fields with Reaper" for yellow. The only misstep is the poetry written and read by creator Julie Aigner-Clark, which is strongly reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days.

The company suggests the program is for toddlers between the ages of 1 and 4.Harsh sounds between segments--such as balloons popping and tiresscreeching--will draw the attention of youngsters but will probably render the videoinappropriate for babes in arms. The video can be purchased by itself or with abeautifully produced 28-page book featuring Van Gogh's paintings, screen shotsfrom the video, and Clark's poems. The combination set may be the best way toengage 3- and 4-year-olds' interest; they can follow along in the text whilewatching the video. Music includes "The William Tell Overture," "The BlueDanube," "Bolero," and Brahms's "Lullaby." The video also provides informationon the cool toys seen in the ending "Toy Chest" segment. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Features

• Color

Reviews (128)

If only...
This dvd is entertaining enough that my 8 month old watches it. He loves the puppets and laughs at them. However, for the rest of the family, viewing this dvd can be painful. This is due to the so-called "poems" which introduce the colors. Green slithers in to make me cool? Purple makes me want to paint my face? Whatever happened to comparing colors to things children recognize like frogs and grapes? The dvd would be 5 star if not for the sad attempt at poetry. If you can bear to listen to annoyingly bad poetry every few minutes, I recommend this dvd. After all, it is for the kids not us.

A review by someone who doesn't love Baby Einstein
Confession: I do not care much for Baby Einstein DVDs.For that reason some might consider me a bad mommy.Yet in my defense, I didn't sit my daughter purposefully infront of the TV until she was over a year old, which to others, is no great accomplishment either, but sometimes I want to sleep in and get a shower for the day :)

Anyway, For those that love Baby Einstein (BE), you don't need to read these reviews, especially mine.But for those who are wondering, let me offer a non-passionate point of view.I think B.E. DVDs are a good introduction to basic concepts for pre-toddlers.But I don't find these interactive enough to teach my toddler colors, shapes, etc, which I thought was their purpose.Of course this seems to be the basis for many B.E. devotees--not overly-stimulating and in your face, etc, which they aren't, but I think mesmerizing, and passive are more accurate descriptions. The pictures and music are delightful.The poems (and Julie's voice,) however, I find to be dreadful.Also, I hardly think naming the colors only twice during each 5 min segment is enough to keep toddlers clear on what they are seeing.I believe repetition and communication are the best teaching tools.Which is probably why nearly every video contains the "These are designed to be educational helps" disclaimer, which is fine if that's your style--I much more prefer a more hands on approach, touching things in HER real world, rather looking at things in the somebody else's real world.

Conclusion: These are fine for pre-toddlers, as an educational HELP, or sheer entertainment, but not solely for teaching concepts.

What's with the poems??
The music in this dvd is nice.That's about the only good thing.The toys they show between color segments really have no real purpose but to fill up time (like most Baby Einstein videos, in my opinion).The colors they show are yellow, green, orange, purple, red and blue.

Each color has puppets and a poem is recited (again, I find Julie's voice annoying).Here's an example of the poem for the color purple: "Purple feels wacky, wild, crazy, tricky, mellow, mild.It makes me want to paint my face, kick a ball and run a race."For the color red the poem is, "When I wake up feeling red, I swoop down from my little bed, throw on a cape and rush out the door and leap across the scarlet floor."

OK....to me these poems are just dumb.Other people proably think they are great, but I can't see having my child sit and watch this and listen to these ridiculous poems.I have written reviews for all other Baby Einstein videos, so please read them too. ... Read more

Asin: B00005YUPQ
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

Baby Einstein - Baby Mozart - Music Festival
by Buena Vista Home Vid
Average Customer Review:
DVD (26 March, 2002)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

It's called "the Mozart Effect," the notion that exposing youngsters tothe melodies of the maestro can improve verbal ability, spatial intelligence, creativity, and memory. It's a pretty big leap of faith to understand that effect unless you personally see a toddler react to the stimulation. The Baby Einstein folks have a series of tapes (Baby Einstein, Baby Bach) that add visual stimulation to the bouncy recordings (using vibraphone, Rhodes electric piano, and even a glockenspiel). The melodies are heard against colorful imagery of spinning tops, wave machines, soft baby toys, mobiles, and the like. Several parenting groups and magazines have heralded the tapes for children 1 to 36 months, but the Orwellian aspect of introducing babes in arms to the TV screen may cause many to just pick up the CD. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Features

• Color

Reviews (439)

What a waste of money.
This was my first Baby Einstein purchase....and MY LAST !. I found this DVD to be insulting to the intelligence of infants and toddlers.

This was truly a waste of money !

In my opinion, another Baby Einstein flop
A lot of the toys shown in the dvd are the same old toys in the other Baby Einstein videos.This, like most Baby Einstien videos, have the typical toys, spinning things, shiny things and puppets.What really is the purpose of this?No words are spoken in this video.There is no live-action when it comes to the pictures of fruits, vegetables, animals, etc.They are just still pictures/photos.I just can't believe some of these Baby Einstein videos!It seems like they just have an idea or two and try to fill up a half hour tape and make tons of money marketing this to parents who think they are doing their children something wonderful, helpful and educational by purchasing them.And yet people will sing praises about it.I just don't get it.I have watched and reviewed 16 Baby Einstein videos and out of them all there are only 4 that I liked.They are Baby Neptune (water), Baby Newton (shapes), Baby Galileo (sky) and Numbers Nursery (1 - 5).The rest are such a waste of money and time, in my opinion.I couldn't even begin to think of letting my child sit and watch all but the four I think are decent.How can this nonsense be good for their little minds??I have written reveiws for them all.

What's wrong with real music?
My 14 month old has been listening to orchestral music since before she was born and loves it!! Why can't they use the real music on these DVD's? I can't stand the cheap synthesizer versions of this music. It is actually more educational for them to listen to the WHOLE ORCHESTRA and become familiar with all those sounds. Besides, they have also removed all the "musical" aspects of the actual music - no dynamics, no emotion. I think someone just decided that it would be more cost-effective to make a cheap synthesizer version of these tunes. I think it is mind-numbing. My daughter taps her feet and nods her head just fine to the orchestral versions of these pieces. (expecially Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the Bach Brandenburg Concertos!!) ... Read more

Asin: B00005YUPN
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

For Our Children: 10th Anniversary Edition
by Rhino Records
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 October, 1999)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

For Our Children launched in 1990 and in many ways inspired the bounty of celebrity-philanthropy records for kids in its wake. From Bob Dylan and Sting to Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and Elton John, the roster on this cornucopia of great kid songs--and even greater interpretations--has donated all proceeds to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Although tilted toward baby-boomer parents, the tracks have a timeless, ageless appeal. You'll be hard-pressed to find another five-star children's recording this satisfying, including the follow-up effort, For Our Children, Too. Little Richard rocks "Itsy Bitsy Spider," McCartney turns his sweet, melodic gifts toward "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and Bruce Springsteen makes a lively stew of "Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips." Other noteworthy moments include Jackson Browne and Jennifer Warnes doing the Beatles' "Golden Slumbers" and Carole King reprising the Disney Dumbo love theme, "Child of Mine." But surely the crowning touch is Dylan's unforgettable version of "This Old Man," phrased and delivered as only Dylan can with his mercurial invention and powerful character. This belongs in your children's collection. --Martin Keller ... Read more

Reviews (43)

So Excited To Find This CD
I played this album for my first son when he was an infant.That was over 13 years ago.How delighted and surprised I was when I discovered it again.I have since had two more children.Although they are a little older, I think this will be a fun CD for them to listen to.My sister has two little ones as well, and they should love it.It is truly a wonderful album.Little Richard's Itsy Bitsy Spider is priceless as is Barbra Streisand's A Child is Born.I also purchased the other CD, For Our Children Too.It looks like it will be as fun as the original.

Remembering.....
When i was little my mom sang these songs and so i grew up knowing them......its great to go back and sing these songs 9 years later! Blueberry pie is the most rememberable. I love these songs and will for years on.

over rated cd
I would not consider playing this cd for the baby because certain songs are too noisy and the bass is too heavy (e.g., the itsy bitsy spider).Don't buy it just because you like your favorite artist. I like the Martha Stewart baby: sleepytime and the golden slumbers: a father's lullaby. ... Read more

Asin: B00001WRKW
Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Album Rock    3. Arena Rock    4. Brill Building Pop    5. Childrens    6. Dance-Pop    7. Film Music    8. Folk-Rock    9. Hard Rock    10. Movie Themes    11. Original Score    12. Pop    13. Pop/Rock    14. R&B    15. Rap    16. Reggae    17. Rock & Roll    18. Singer/Songwriter    19. Soft Rock    20. Teen Idol   

A Child's Celebration of Rock 'n' Roll
by Music Little People
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 January, 1996)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $13.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Dust off your blue suede shoes and polish up the tail fins on the Chevy: this album transports listeners back to the 1950s and early 1960s with all-time classic rock & roll. Children will love the strong rhythms, (sometimes) silly words, and easy-to-follow vocals. Adults will enjoy the cruise down memory lane with megahits like "Rock Around the Clock," "Willie & the Hand Jive," "Rockin' Robin," and "Name Game." Retaining all the spunk and sparkle they did when rock was young, these digitally remastered tunes are ready to inspire a whole new generation of little boppers. --Deborah L. Moore ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great fun.
My son loves this cd and I like it too.

Great tunes and parents love it too!
Our infant daughter finds this music very relaxing. It's great
"travel in the car" entertainment for both adults and children.
The music is all the old time favorites that everyone can sing along and it's a great collection. Makes a great gift for children and their parents.

My kids love it!
These are probably the songs my grandparents didn't want my parents listening to when they were kids. Oh, well. Change happens. These tunes are super fun for my grammar-school-aged children. They get such a kick out of the "Purple People Eater" that they have to play it for any new friend who comes over. They have had hours and hours or fun singing and dancing to these old classics from the early days of Rock 'N Roll. And parents will enjoy it, too. ... Read more

Asin: B000002M7T
Subjects:  1. Childrens    2. Doo Wop    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. R&B    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Sing-Along   

Geometric Shapes Jumbo Knob Puzzle
by Melissa & Doug
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (42)

Well-made product
A sturdy and well-made puzzle. My twin girls are a little late in developing fine motor skills, so this was a great choice for them. It's a BIG puzzle and the individual pieces are large enough that they're hard to lose. They're well-finished enough that it seems safe to let the little ones chew on them. The variety of shapes and images underneath are nice.

Super Developmental Activity for Little Ones!
I purchased the Jumbo Knob Puzzle: Shapes for my son's 1st birthday.It was too difficult at first, but he quickly grew into it.We'd work it together, and I'm still amazed how much he'd retain the next time we would attempt to put it together.I like that we could work on shapes, colors, matching, and developmental skills in the same toy.Additionally, the jumbo knobs are easy to work, and the pieces don't have to go in with the label upright.This is especially helpful when placing the octagon, and the pentagon pieces.William was fond of this puzzle, and it's held up extremely well.He finally allowed me to put it in the closet with the rest of his baby toys, and he's almost 4-years old.

There are pictures underneath, but not the pictures of the shape.This toy requires a bit more thinking than the typical "pictures under the pieces" puzzle.The pictures are animated objects that reflect everyday life, such as, a clock, a house, and a school bus.The pieces are very chunky for little hands, and have large jumbo knobs.My only gripe is with some of the picture selections.The diamond picture is a close-up of a diamond window.My son didn't know what it was, and when I asked him today he said, "I guess it's a diamond, mom."Perhaps, a better choice would be a kite.At any rate, the puzzle makes an excellent activity for young children. I definitely recommend it.

too expensive
this puzzle costs entirely too much for what it offers. you can get the same quality puzzle for $15.00 less at a local store. It held my 2 year old's attention for about 5 minutes and that was it. B-O-R-I-N-G. ... Read more

Asin: B00004R8K3
Sales Rank: 119
Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Toddler    3. Activity    4. Puzzles    5. Wood    6. Pegged    7. Learning    8. Shapes    9. Baby and Infant   

Goodnight Moon (Board Book)
by HarperFestival
Average Customer Review:
Board book (30 September, 1991)
list price: $7.99 -- our price: $7.19
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Perhaps the perfect children's bedtime book, Goodnight Moon is a short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing for--or attempting to postpone--his own slumber. He says goodnight to every object in sight and within earshot, including the "quiet old lady whispering hush." Clement Hurd's illustrations are simple and effective, alternating between small ink drawings and wide, brightly colored views of the little rabbit's room.

Finding all of the items mentioned throughout the book within the pictures is a good bedtime activity--a reappearing little mouse is particularly pesky. By the end of the little rabbit's goodnight poem, the story has quieted to a whisper, and the drawings have darkened with nightfall. As you turn the last page, you can expect a sleepy smile and at least a yawn or two. (Picture book) ... Read more

Reviews (334)

Can't believe I am giving it 5 stars
A while back I wrote a negative review of this book because I thought it was strange.(I deleted the review only a day or so after writing it, however).Like some others, I could not see the appeal of this book and didn't understand the particular writing style.I had read it to my child a few times and then stopped for a while.

Well, a couple of months ago I started reading this book at bedtime some and guess what - the baby really likes it!Now if my child likes it, then I cannot help but like it!He is 13 months old now and this is one of his many favorite books.It is part of our bedtime routine and is special to me now because I share with him each night.I am sure when he grows up I will have fond memories of "Good Night Moon", and may become sad when he thinks he is too old for this story.

Somehow, I do feel it is a sweet little book.We received 2 copies as gifts - I doubt I would have ever bought it on my own - but it has become a special tradition for us!

Going on copy number 2
We love this book.My son adores it.After bath time, we put him in his crib and give him a book to play with while we read him another one.Goodnight Moon is one of the very few books that he has no desire to play with or read another book while we are reading this one (Guess How Much I Love You is another).

We love this story because it is so interactive.Now that he is getting older, he points out all the things in the story, he counts to three (three little bears sitting in chairs) and he says Night Night after each Good Night page. We just love it.

As I said we are going on book number 2 here.The first book is too well loved and we need another copy of it.

Truly a timeless classic.

Am I Nuts?
I purchased Good Night Moon for my baby Grandson.I thought this was the most over rated book ever. I told myself maybe I am old fashioned and remember the books I read to my children. after reading all of the reviews written in by customers, I finally found a couple of "Men" that see it my way. "Dad" and "Book Dad" hit the nail right on the head. I also think all of these people love this book because they think they have to like it for some reason. This Grandma can not recommend this book when there are so many better ones out there. ... Read more

Isbn: 0694003611
Subjects:  1. Animals - Rabbits    2. Bedtime    3. Bedtime & Dreams    4. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    5. Children: Babies & Toddlers    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    10. Juvenile literature    11. Children's literature