Editorial Review

LeapFrog's range of educational toys is exceptional, and this interactive flipbook really has that "wow" factor. In the box it looks like an innocent book, but once assembled it provides absolutely hours of entertainment with a preschool teaching focus. The book reads the text to the child, then its magic pen allows the child to touch the text and reread difficult words. Rather like a computer game, the pictures in the page also respond to touch. Each page has two to three games on it where the child has to answer questions on the text or the pictures. The child only needs to respond with the pen, so children as young as 3 can easily play all the games. LeapFrog has made sure that this two-sided book packs in all the elements of a balanced preschool curriculum. Numbers, phonics, prereading, and numeracy skills come alive through the activities. Both nonfiction and fiction text are included with a variety of musical activities. There is even a volume control on each page for weary parents on those long car journeys! Be prepared with four AA batteries (not included) and a small screwdriver. The instructions included are not specific, but the illustrations on the box are self-explanatory. Perfect for a rainy day or a long journey, My First LeapPad provides great value for the money, as your child will be entertained and educated for hours. --Jo Fitzgerald

My First LeapPad is a sturdy unit with an integral speaker and a magic pen, which reads the spiral flipbook included with the set. Other books and cartridges can be bought and used with the same unit. My First LeapPad flipbook consists of both an interactive story introducing the characters of Leap and his family, and (once you have flipped the book) a selection of interactive games pages which encourage learning of numbers, colors, shapes, and music making. A pleasant and encouraging voice reads the story, which is written on the page, or if just one word is touched, the voice says that one word, encouraging word recognition. In game mode, the voice asks the child to find a specific number, color, or object and gives praise when the child succeeds. The pad is easy to use, provided children remember to always touch the Go button with the magic pen every time they turn a page. If they forget, the pen will read from another page, which causes much confusion! After a few tries, mine soon got the hang of it and could play independently. Everything is worked using the pen, including the volume control, and the pen is impossible to lose as it is attached securely to the unit. In comparison to their interactive PC games, the LeapPad failed to hold my children’s attention for prolonged periods, and although I found it amazing that the pen could recognize so many different words and objects, they were less easily impressed. There is no movement, unlike in a PC game. On the other hand, the unit is portable, so can be played anywhere, unlike the PC. The unit certainly has lots of educational value and is well made and durable. A large selection of interactive books can be purchased separately, so once the children are comfortable using the magic pen, they can try other activities. They can also choose more difficult material, ensuring that the pad grows with your child. --Rachel Elvidge

In common with other LeapFrog products, My First LeapPad is exceptionally well designed to be both educational and fun. The unit itself and attached pen are chunky enough for little fingers, and the single large button, integral carrying handle, and bright color will make it appealing and easy to use for preschoolers. My First LeapPad comes with a ring-bound book and accompanying cartridge which fit easily into the unit (you also need four AA batteries, not included). Placed right side up the book reads through a simple story, and when turned over the reverse sides contain a wealth of activities and games to play. For anyone who hasn’t previously seen the unique way that simply touching the pages with the pen produces voices and noises of all sorts, it seems like a miracle! Even for those who are familiar with it, it is still endlessly fascinating, and each page has lots of scope for discovery. The clear English voices read the story in sentences or single words as well as introducing games and activities involving music and instruments, shapes and color, reading, numbers, counting, matching, and much more. Each picture reveals a whole world of sound effects, voices, and speech from the characters according to the individual touches the child makes with the pen on the page. This makes play genuinely interactive and absorbing, and hugely valuable in terms of learning and pleasure. I recommend this product highly; it is suitable for all levels of learning between under 3 years and over 5, with each age range getting different benefits at different stages of development. --Caroline Parsons

My First LeapPad learning system by LeapFrog is a portable electronic toy incorporating the format of a flip-over book which teaches children to master skills such as writing, basic numbers, ABCs, phonics, listening, and comprehension. The desk layout includes a side handle and a special touch-sensitive pen which gives children the opportunity to develop the coordination required when they begin to write. With the pen the user can activate the different activities such as touching pictures to hear them come alive, touching words to hear them read aloud, playing a game by pressing the lily pad sign with the magic pen, activating a new page, listening to music, or adjusting the volume. The unit comes with an activity book, Leap’s Big Day. Leap is a frog with a happy voice and an English accent who introduces us to his family and different activities on each page. Although the toy is labeled for children aged 3 years and over, the activities are not incredibly difficult and would also suit a slightly younger child. For example, number work only goes up to five, and the page on what Leap will be when he grows up gives the child a number of pictorial choices and they have to select just one answer to say what a firefighter would need at work (hose, hat, boots), or what a doctor would need (stethoscope, white coat, etc.). All activities require use of the pen, which does require a steady hand at times. More books are available to buy separately, with titles such as Leap to the Moon, featuring Leap again, and Pooh's Honey Tree, which features Winnie the Pooh. The books are double-sided with a story side, which is interactive, and an activity side. The battery-powered toy provides preschoolers with a good introduction to interactive learning aids, including computers, and promotes readiness for reading and writing. --Sarah McNamara

This is a nice-sized interactive electronic learning game by LeapFrog. It consists of the LeapPad unit with carrying handle and a small, easy-to-maneuver electronic pen attached. There is a compact microchip unit which plugs into the side and a cardboard flipbook which attaches to the front. The book has two sides: a story side and an activity side. The sound is activated by touching the green Go circle on the page with the electronic pen. On the story side of the book this triggers a female English voice which reads aloud the words on the page. Your child can then touch each word with the pen to have these read aloud, or touch objects and characters on the page to hear them speak. There is a lily pad and a note symbol at the bottom of each page. When touched with the pen, the voice leads your child through games such as finding objects and people on the page. The activity side is centered on learning games such as parts of the body, colors, shapes, and counting. My First LeapPad is designed for preschool children to teach prereading and premath skills. It contains over 30 games and activities and is indicated to be suitable for ages 3 and over. My son will sit and play with the LeapPad on his own for a short time, but is only 3 and a half, and prefers me to help and guide him a little. My First LeapPad is a good learning aid and value for money as the flipbooks can be replaced with different books in the range to keep your child interested in learning. --Julie Illingworth

Editorial Review

Made just for toddlers, My First LeapPad Book takes care to encourageprereading skills while giving tots a simple, interesting story that makeslearning to read a fun first experience. Just stick the included book chip intoyour child's LeapPad, put the book in place, and the LeapPad takes care of therest.

Reviews (16)

Great toy
My son just turned 4 and he loves the LeapPad. It is terrific for entertaining him on long car rides.My 1 1/2 year old daughter loves pointing the pen at the pictures; I think she's going to need her own LeapPad pretty soon!My only problem is keeping track of the little cartridges; it would be helpful if they were attached to the books by a cord of some kind (maybe elastic?).

GREAT BOOK but my 2 1/2 year old did'nt care for it
Santa brought this book with My First Leap Pad but our son age 2 1/2 at the time did'nt ever play with it.He is almost 4 now and he still does'nt play with it.He liked the books like Bob the Builder, Thomas the Train and Dora.He never took to the Leap and Tad books, even though he has several of the Leap and Tad books.I don't think I have been able to keep this book in the leap pad for more than 2 mins and he is taking it out and putting a different one in.
As a parent, I thought this was a very educational book, I really like it and think its a great book, but my son did'nt play with it so it was'nt the best choice for us.

Reviews (1)

Reviews (22)

To The Recue...From Boredom!
This is one of my daughter's favorite My First Leappad books.The story is fairly simple.Dora and Boots find a lost baby blue bird and precede to return it to its mother.My daughter really enjoys the story, though.The book is very colorful and there are a lot of activities that would interest a toddler, especially music from the show.If you're only going to get a few of the My First Leappad books, I would put this one at the top of your list, especially if you're child likes Dora The Explorer.

Teaches young kids
Dora is a hit in my household.If your child enjoys Dora, you won't be disappointed in this fun little book.This book teaches lots of vocabulary both English and Spanish.It's a fun book for little kids.My younger brother loved this book a lot; I hope you will like it to.

Reviews (10)

Problem with tea pot quickly resolved by manufacturer
My daughter received the Disney Princess tea set for her 2nd birthday from her grandparents.She absolutely loved it and played with it often.Less than two months later the tea pot started to short out and the voices/sounds would not play.I went to the manufacturer's web site (Thinkway Toys - www.thinkwaytoys.com) and looked up their customer service email address.I sent an email detailing the problem and asked how to go about getting a replacement.They responded quickly and happily replaced the teapot.I received the replacement with no hassle and very quickly (within a few days!).The replacement works great!!I am very pleased with their customer service.5 stars for customer service!

The voices started to sound garbled
We bought this for our daughter at Christmas and after about 2 weeks, the voices on the teapod sounded staticy and garbled.The problem was NOT corrected with new batteries so I have contacted Thinkway toys (the manufacturer) and am waiting to see if they will replace the tea pot.My daughter still has tea parties but is dissapointed when she can't hear the princeses talke to her.We'll see what happens.

Reviews (8)

Silly and Fun
I purchased Mr. Potato Head -Silly Suitcase for my 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old grandsons.Since they had so much fun with this toy, I also got them Mr. Potato Head Fireman/Construction Worker Suitcase, and for Xmas I am going to purchase the Farm Potato Head.Even if you only have one set, it is a lot of fun for kids.They are greatly amused by putting all the body parts/accessories together in as many different ways as possible.I didn't really think this would hold their interest long, but I am happy to say they play with it frequently and for long periods of time.I have found the pieces to be durable even though they're played with quite roughly by two little boys.The suitcases have been durable but too hard to put the pieces back in so I just purchased a large plastic storage box--makes pickup time much simpler.This is a good toy for the price and hilarious fun for little ones.

Fun, but the case has got to go!
This is one of my daughter's favorite toys.I found it to be very educational and fun.However, the suitcase did not hold up well at all.What a cheap design!The top lid of the case constantly comes off, and I am continually picking it up and trying to force it back onto its cheap little hinges.I am ready to ditch the suitcase and just put the pieces in a box.Save your money, and buy the set without the suitcase! You will be glad you did.

Reviews (20)

can't get strings through the beads!
Sure this would be great for motor skills and hand/eye coordination, except that my 2 year old gives up in two seconds since the nylon string will not go through most of the beads! The beads are rough and splintery inside, which snags the nylon string so it won't go through. Very poor design in my opinion, I mean, isn't that the whole point of these things?

The string gets stuck!
These beads are very difficult for my daughter to string together because the string gets caught on the inside of the beads.The beads should be sanded down inside so the string cen be put through smoothly.

Reviews (2)

Daughter loves it!
I bought this for my 2.5 year old daughter. She recently discovered Dora the Explorer so anything with Dora on it is an immediate hit. She loves the different books that come with the my first leappad. She'll spend an entire evening going through her books. The Animal Counting Farm and the Dora books are put together very well.

My favorite part of this toy is that we can use it together or she can use it by herself. The concepts are appropriate for her age and development stage. There is reading comprehension, games to play and music on most every page. I like to sit with my daughter and work with her on the different included concepts.

I also like all the different books that come with the Leappad. My daughter finds it easy to snap in a new book and insert a new cartridge when she's done with the book she's playing with.

My other favorite feature is the volume control. My husband and I are not fans of electronic toys due to the noise issue. However, this toy, included on each book, comes with volume control that is easily accessible.

All in all, I think this is a good toy and I have been very pleased with it.

Dora and Tad take over the world
Leapfrog is a nice, interactive reading program that allows kids to entertain themselves in the car or when parents are too exhausted to read them a story. It doesn't replace reading to kids and I'm not so sure that it improves a child's ability/chance to read. It is entertaining and does teach a child some of the basics of using a computer (although you point a pen at the word and click it vs. using a mouse). Is that good?Well parents will have to decide for themselves.

The stories are very good and have nice values. Again, the Leapfrog is a bit awkard to use as it flips up vs. flipping right to left like traditional books (or even the leappad). That's made it problematic at times. The spiral book will frequently slip off the leapfrog. In a way, that's good particularly since it gets the parents involved but its also frustrating for children that tend to want to do things for themselves. That frustration translates to dropping the leadfrog and moving on to play with something else or reading a real book (i.e., looking at the pictures while the parents read the book).

Reviews (1)

Reviews (21)

Falling apart in less than a month
The maracas cracked and split open and had to be thrown away.After minimal use, the chrome plating on the outside of the triangle is peeling off--a danger to households with a baby.The cymbals were tarnished when we received the set.The box is worthless.With no lid on the box, you can't store the items in it.When we made the purchase we were concerned that the price was too good to be true.It was.These are not quality products, and don't live up to occasional use by a 3-and-a-half year old..

Tambourine terrible - didn't last a day
My 2-year-old loves playing all the instruments, especially the fantastic triangle. The tambourine is a disaster though. It broke at the party at which she received it. The other instruments have held up well. It's a good price for all that you get.