Construction Tray Puzzle
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This 48-piece wooden jigsaw, from Connecticut toy maker Lights,Camera, Interaction, depicts a busy, colorful scene that's guaranteed tofascinate just about any kid. Rumbling around a torn-up building site,five realistically illustrated, hard-working construction vehicles clearthe way for some new structures. Three earthmovers load big rocks into adump truck to be hauled away, while a cement mixer stands at the ready,prepared to pour the first foundation. The .38-inch-thick pieces fitsnugly in a 15-by-12-inch pressboard frame. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Construction Puzzle by Lights, Camera, Interaction
I purchased this puzzle along with the 48 piece Dinosaur puzzle for my son, Bailey, who just turned three. He needed a challenge and this puzzle was the perfect choice. Our biggest mistake - not taking the puzzles with us on a recent vacation. During the middle of the trip he became "homesick" for his puzzles! My only concern in recommending this puzzle to others is the fact that they are somewhat fragile - which is exactly why I chose not to bring them with us on the vacation. The first time I took the puzzle apart for Bailey the paper picture which is glued to the wood tore in more than one spot! I had to use a hot glue gun to repair the pieces that tore. So, in terms of durability, I rated these puzzles a three. They are challenging for a three year old and will keep them busy for quite some time. I'd estimate that it takes Bailey ten minutes to complete this puzzle. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JBLE
Subjects:  1. Puzzles    2. Easy Puzzles    3. Construction Vehicles    4. Wood    5. Pegged    6. Learning    7. Activity    8. Jigsaw Puzzles   

Spider-Man
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (19 April, 2002)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Spider-Man: The Movie brings your friendly neighborhood web slinger to life with engrossing realism, proving that a superhero game of such complex nature can be achieved with nearly flawless and nonintrusive gameplay. Be it wandering the city's environs in search of villains or just checking out your surroundings by web-swinging high above them, you truly can do whatever Spider-Man can. It's all here: high-flying aerial battles, the ability to web up and yank your enemies close for pummeling, and the capacity for crawling or web-zipping up, down, and over any surface--and that's just for starters. All in all, this is one involved game that does not fail to live up to the hype.

The game parallels the motion picture's story line, steering you through a progression of challenges that begins with the hunt for Uncle Ben's murderer, and ends with a final showdown with the Green Goblin. You begin as Peter Parker dressed in his wrestling costume and must defeat a variety of thugs throughout each level before advancing to the next set of challenges. The game gets progressively tougher as you encounter, in turn, Shocker, the Vulture, Scorpion, and, of course, the Green Goblin.

Visually, Spider-Man is a treat: cityscapes unfold in realistic detail and are enhanced by sunlight shining between buildings; cutscenes offer seamless animation; interiors are painstakingly re-created; and Spider-Man and his enemies are well rendered, moving about the screen in clean fashion. As an added bonus, most characters are voiced by their movie counterparts, and the training mode features the sarcastic wit of Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell. --Larry White

Pros:

• Detailed controls bring Spider-Man to life
• Challenging gameplay enhanced by numerous fight styles
• Stunning visuals at every level

Cons:

• Camera angles slow to respond at times
• Some interiors too dark
• Repetitive one-liners

... Read more

Features

• Platform: PlayStation 2
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Action/Adventure

Reviews (189)

This game is alright
This game is cool for awhile if you like to swing around the city and save people but the graphics are a little crappy and you do the same bull over and over again like save people and hear people scream spiderman help me over and over again.Gets old fast but if your die hard spider dork you need to buy this but if your an average gamer like myself you might want to rent this for a couple days.

Spider-Man: Cool or Fool?
This game was super awesome, but the game was too easy. The only thing missing was another level. It could have used another level.Finding those combos are hard.For those who are reading, here's a chaeat that enables all levels: ARACHNIDCool, huh? I give it an 8.4. But really, it requires skill and strong focus, but seriously, it could have used another level.

fun for action players
This game overall is one of my favorites. It really deserves 4 and a half stars. But one of the things is a lot of the things in the game don't happen in the movie. This is not a problem for me and probably for most. In the game you not only fight the Green Goblin but the Shocker, Vulture, and Scorpion, with the addition of Uncle Ben's killer (who really isn't a supervillian). Another nice thing about this game is the combat, which can also be a hassle at times. In the game you get WAY more moves than in the previous games. In the beggining you don't get many awesome combo moves, but as you progress through the game your moves get more interesting. Another nice thing is the graphics. At times you'll just want stand and look at the buildings which reflect the other things outside and the designs on Spiderman's or Goblin's outfit.This games bosses are challenging and willmake you want to fight them again. Buy this game. ... Read more

Asin: B00005U8TQ
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. PS2 (PSX2)    3. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    4. Playstation2 (Play station2)    5. Action    6. Adventure    7. Great Deals (Outlet store)   

Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (08 November, 2001)
list price: $49.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who, along with his robot dog Goddard, battles evil, rescues his parents from aliens, saves Earth, and still makes it home in time for supper. The game features tons of techno gadgets, including a laser gun, shrink ray, asthma spray, and missiles. The game features multiplayer character abilities for Jimmy, Goddard, Carl, Nick, Dad, Cindy, and Ultra Lord. Areas include Retroville, a meteor storm, the Yokian moon, and a Yokian chase through space. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

great but bad jumping and too few attacks
i like the graphics and the aliens but i don't like the controls and the attacks. Jimmy jumps either too near enough or too low enough. On the 4th part of the "choose a level" section in his lab, if you beat this, you can ignore me but if you don't, then i hope you rented it so you can overite it when your memory card runs out of KB. You can't change views, even using the right analog(this was BEFORE i learned you use the l and r buttons for PS1 games). There's no real point in turning on the analog. the shrink ray doesn't work and triangle and circle canonly be used SOMETIMES but not ALWAYS. the goddard scooter is there for nothing and how do the aliens non survive afew kicks? Trust me, do not, i repeat do NOT by this game.

Fun and challenging Game!
This game is extremely fun for kids and adults! Each level follows the storyline of the movie and Jimmy has to find items to get to the next level. As you finish each level, the next one gets harder, but more challenging and fun. Parents, teens and kids will all like this game.

A great game for beginners and for the whole family
I just bought a PS2 for my 5 and 8 year old kids. This is a great game to start with, although to does take quite a while to learn how to advance to each level. We're up to level 6, the last level. But my kids still love to go back a play from the beginning.

This is probably not the best game for an advanced player. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NN7A
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. PS2 (PSX2)    3. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    4. Playstation2 (Play station2)    5. Action    6. Adventure   

Monsters, Inc. (Collector's Edition)
by John Goodman Billy Crystal
Director: David Silverman, Peter Docter, Lee Unkrich
Average Customer Review:
DVD (17 September, 2002)
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $22.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The folks at Pixar can do no wrong with Monsters, Inc., the studio's fourth feature film, which stretches the computer animation format in terms of both technical complexity and emotional impact. The giant, blue-furred James P. "Sulley" Sullivan (wonderfully voiced by John Goodman) is a scare-monster extraordinaire in the hidden world of Monstropolis, where the scaring of kids is an imperative in order to keep the entire city running. Beyond the competition to be the best at the business, Sullivan and his assistant, the one-eyed Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), discover what happens when the real world interacts with theirs in the form of a 2-year-old baby girl dubbed "Boo," who accidentally sneaks into the monster world with Sulley one night. Director Pete Doctor and codirectors David Silverman and Lee Unkrich follow the Pixar (Toy Story) blueprint with an imaginative scenario, fun characters, and ace comic timing. By the last heart-tugging shot, kids may never look at monsters the same, nor artists at what computer animation can do in the hands of magicians. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Features

• Animated
• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (770)

Opens the door to the wonderful world of animation
"Monsters Inc" is an incredibly refreshing and halarious animated film which blends original plotlines, beautiful colours, a haralious screenplay and important messages together. Personally, "Monsters Inc" is my favourite Pixar movie yet, simply because of its wittyness and ability to engrip the audience into the world behind the bedroom closet.

Monstropolis is the city of Monsters, concealed from the human world by the cupboards of children's bedrooms. Their way of life is dependant on the use of children's screams, to which provides electricity and power. The corperation, Monsters Incorperated is responsible for gathering these screams from these "highly toxic" children - "a single touch from a human child could kill you!" - by scaring them wittless. It is here where we meet Sully (voice of John Goodman), a teddy-bear like monster who is the most successful "scarer" in the company. Ironically, when a human girl crawls into his world, he develops an attatchment to her. Sully, along with his halarious one-eyed pal Mike (voice of Billy Crystal), embark on a race against time to return "Boo" (as she is nicknamed) back to her rightful human world before the evil monsters get her instead.

It is a truly delightful film. Here, Pixar has moulded their Monsters of all different shapes, colours, skin types, and sizes to have human-like qualities; imagine the human world and its ways of working, except the humans are played by monsters! It is this irony that gives "Monsters Inc" its originality.

The famous 3D animation of Pixar is always absolutely brilliant. Each monster is unique, and the settings are simply devine. A particular mind-boggling scene is when the main characters Sully, Mike and Boo are on a roller-coaster like journey in the place where all the children's doors of the world are stored. It is an absolutely riveting scene! How the animators managed it is beyond me! The animation of Boo is also delightful, in that she is represented to convey the utmost innoncence and cuteness of a 2-year-old toddler.

The screenplay, in typical Pixar fashion is halarious and enjoyable, offering puns for both its childhood and adult demographs. Almost every scene has a joke and adds extra strength to the overall film. Billy Crystal's character Mike is a wonderful, funny character, who lights up every scene. A film that can appeal equally to all ages is an excellent one, and "Monsters Inc" certainly successes here.

And finally, as well as being undeniably funny, it also has, as all children's films should, powerful messages which are portrayed subtly in the film. The film teaches us to look beyond appearances and see the inner beauty of something. You shouldn't follow what other people say, because more than likely it's not true. And finally, and more importantly, it teaches us not to bully people, because it's going to come back to haunt you. Live life positively, seeing the quality in the poeple around you, and yourself.

So in conclusion, "Monsters Inc" is my favourite Pixar animation because it is such a wonderful breath of fresh air. By mixing exquisite animation, appealing comedy for all ages and possessing important messages, this is a simply stunning film. It opens to the door to a new centurt of animation.

Sustos que dan risa
Es de noche. Mamá te da un beso de buenas noches y cierra la puerta a su salida. En silencio, tratas de dormirte cuando de pronto sientes el crujir de una puerta. El armario se abre. Y de pronto un monstruo sale para robarte un grito.

Para ti es una pesadilla. Para el monstruo, sólo una manera de producir energía.

Esa es la original premisa de la nueva cinta animada de Disney/Pixar, titulada Monsters Inc.

Monstrópolis es una ciudad ubicada "al otro lado del closet". Criaturas diversas y extrañas deambulan por las calles en sus rutinas diarias, la mayoría sin interactuar con humanos. Una compañía en particular, Monsters Inc., transforma los gritos nocturnos de los niños en recursos energéticos para mantener el funcionamiento correcto de esta urbe particular.

Los empleados de Monsters Inc. están entrenados para asustar, y ninguno de ellos lo hace mejor que James P. Sullivan, alias "Sully", quien junto a su compañero Mike Wazoswki son los máximos recolectores de gritos que tiene la empresa. Empleando puertas que los llevan al mundo humanos, los asustadores recolectan su cuota de energía.

Los monstruos deben evitar a toda costa el contacto con los niños, pues creen que son contaminantes; tampoco pueden permitir que los pequeños vayan al mundo de los monstruos, pues no se sabe qué terribles consecuencias acarrearía.

Y exactamente eso es lo que sucede. Una pequeña atraviesa la puerta y envía a Mike y Sully en una aventura si precedentes.

Llena de momentos de franca risa, cálida y divertida, Monsters Inc. es una película encantadora con una historia tan original como sus predecesoras, Toy Story y Bichos.

En esta mágica aventura, Pixar elevó nuevamente el nivel de excelencia en lo que se refiere a tecnología de animación, utilizando 2.5 millones de rendermarks, comparados con los 1.1 millones que se usaron en Toy Story 2. Tales logros son evidentes y admirables en secuencias donde se ve la piel azul que recubre a Sully en pleno movimiento con el aire, el cabello de Boo, o las expresiones faciales de Mike Wazoswki.

Monsters Inc. es una cinta alegre, llena de energía y una bonita moraleja (sello clásico de Disney). El miedo crea poder, pero es un tipo de poder negativo, que inhibe. Y como descubren los personajes de esta cinta, existen fuentes de poder mucho más fuertes, como el de una risa franca, para enfrentar monstruos (reales o imaginarios) y salir triunfadores de la batalla.

Pixar Does It Again
Monstropolis is experiencing a power shortage. They use the screams of human children to power their city. But the numbers are off and Monsters, Inc. is really pushing the people who work on the scare floor to create more energy. James P. "Sulley" Sullivan (John Goodman) is the current leader. A large, fuzzy bear-type creature with horns, Sulley works with Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), a round green guy with one eye. As a team, they are the current leaders. Randall (Stave Buscemi) is consumed with jealous rage and wants to be the top earner. Everyone in Monstropolis has been taught that the human children they scare are also toxic to the monsters. This leads more than a few monsters to become afraid of them and quickly call of the visit. One night, after everyone has gone home, Sulley revisits the scare floor and finds that a door to a child's room has been left behind. He pokes his head in and sees nothing. When he returns to the scare floor, he finds that the little girl who lives in the room has grabbed onto his fur. He nicknames her Boo and has to figure out a way to get her back home without causing the city to becomes panicked.

"Monsters, Inc.", the newest film from Pixar, is a brilliant addition to their library. Directed by newcomer, Peter Docter, a John Lassiter protégé, the film starts with a brilliant concept, adds a delightful screenplay and tops it off with some of the best computer animation yet.

Much like the previous Pixar films, the attention to detail in "Monsters, Inc." is simply staggering. Monstropolis is basically any large American city, down to the power crisis and potential rolling blackouts. The only difference is that it is populated by monsters of all shapes and sizes. The buildings are given brick detail, the cars are given grills, the interior of Monsters, Inc. has a large lobby. It makes it seem very real. The attention given to the characters is actually even more impressive. Sulley's fur coat seems to be very real and life-like. Every strand of fur seems to move individually. In a couple of scenes, his coat is buffeted by wind and seems to ripple like waves. His facial expressions are also very good and exhibit a whole range of emotions. Mike, the little round assistant, is given more of a goofball comic look, fitting the voice that Billy Crystal uses. His eye and mouth movements are very expressive and help to create an impressive character. Every monster has a different look; Celia (Jennifer Tilly), the girl Mike has a crush on, looks like a sort of Medusa slug, Mr. Waternoose (James Coburn), the head of Monsters, Inc. looks like a crab. This level of inventiveness never fails to amaze the viewer.

The story is very involving, providing amusement for the adults while the kiddies are amused by the animation. The story opens with a little boy going to bed, as his parents close the bedroom door. Immediately, his eyes widen as he imagines the closet door open a crack and a shadow flowing from it. It turns out to be pajama sleepers, hanging on the inside. Then, a monster appears, ready to frighten the child, only to get frightened by the child instead. But all of this is actually happening in a simulator in Monsters, Inc., to train the monsters about frightening the children. The method used for getting into the children's bedrooms is very inventive. The story involving Boo, the human child is also very amusing. A chase through various children's doors is also an amusing highlight. Just these few elements represent more thought and inventiveness than that which is invested in most other Hollywood films.

There are also a lot of jokes aimed at keeping adults occupied. First of all, the entire film is basically a tribute to baby boomers. Everything in Monstropolis is growing old and weathered. It is the children of today, harder to scare because they are desensitized, that are the problem. The children of the baby boomers are the problem, inferring that the baby boomer period was just fine for Monstropolis.

Ultimately, "Monsters, Inc." has a message or moral and it is presented in such a way that all viewers can get the message and retain it. The message isn't rammed down our throats and forced upon us.

"Monsters, Inc." is an enjoyable film for everyone in the family. The characters, animation and story will surely win over everyone who watches it. 4 ½ stars.
... Read more

Asin: B00005JKDR
Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family   

Scooby-Doo (Full Screen Edition)
by Freddie Prinze Jr. Sarah Michelle Gellar Matthew Lillard Linda Cardellini
Director: Raja Gosnell
Average Customer Review:
DVD (14 September, 2004)
list price: $19.96 -- our price: $17.96
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

"I would've gotten away with it if weren't for you meddling kids!" Equal parts remake and spoof, this tongue-in-cheek live-action resurrection finds the old Saturday-morning-cartoon gang reunited to investigate the zombie teens of a haunted amusement park. Frantic action and big-screen special effects stand in for logic, but for a while it makes for a spirited send-up. Freddie Prinze Jr., under a blond hairdo and an ascot, turns Fred into a preening pretty boy, and Sarah Michelle Gellar plays with her own Buffy image as eternal damsel-in-distress Daphne (in magenta mini-dress and maxi-boots, no less), but this show belongs to gangly Matthew Lillard, who is the adenoidal beatnik Shaggy. His loyal-to-the-end friendship with the computer-animated Scooby-Doo is the most convincing relationship in the whole two-dimensional goof. Some of the supernatural nasties may be scary for young kids and the humor careens from winking self-awareness to Scooby doo-doo gags, but otherwise this is as harmless as a Saturday-morning chapter and as substantial as a Scooby snack. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned

Reviews (307)

I actually enjoyed the movie more than I thought I would
I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed the live-action version of Scooby Doo.No matter how many of the movies they try to make (Let's hope they stop at 2), the cartoon will always be the best!!!

Being a fan of the cartoon I was not sure I would enjoy the movie.The movie stars Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred, Sarah Michelle Geller as Daphne, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, and Linda Cardellini as Velma.I have to say I do not like Freddie Prinze as Fred.Freddie Prinze is a horrible, horrible, horrible Fred.Matthew Lillard is perfect as Shaggy.The action in the film starts right away which I like.

The Mystery Inc. group break up after arguing over who should take credit for solving a case.Velma is tired of Fred taking the credit, and quits.Fred and Daphne follow suit, leaving Shaggy and Scooby Doo on their own.A year later the gang end up coming back together when a mysterious theme park owner's beckons for their help.There are strange things taking place and he wants their help to find the menace that seems to be taking over his young customers.Their fee for solving the case will be $10,000 and all you can eat.When they arrive at the park, they find some zombie like teenagers boarding a boat. Turns out a spell is cast on the island. Each member tries to solve the crime on their own, but they find they have no choice but to come together and solve the mystery as a team.

Shaggy meets the girl of his dreams named Mary Jane (get it?)who also likes to eat Scooby snacks.Matthew Lillard really played his part well.He looked like Shaggy, and he sounded exactly like Shaggy from the cartoon.He was cast perfectly!!!

Daphne pulls out her "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" moves in the film. I don't recall the cartoon Daphne fighting like that at all.

To the reviewer who said "filmmakers should keep women in mind when they make comedies.Women do not find flatulence the least bit funny" please speak for yourself!!!!You cannot speak for all women in general.As a woman I actually find that type of thing pretty funny.Then again I have a crazy sense of humor.

The park owner is Mr. Emile Montevarioous played by Rowan Atkins (Mr. Bean Rat Race).There are some neat cameo appearances that add to the fun in this film.Miguel A. Nunez Jr. (Thin Line between Love and Hate, Life) also stars in the film.
There were moments during the film I laughed a whole lot.Scooby and Shaggy have a major belching, and farting contest.I found that to be quite hilarious.The ending to me was a surprise in terms of who he villain was.Totally unexpected.

I thought the movie was fun, and it's one I would consider watching again.As a Scooby cartoon fan, I was satisfied with the film.

HA!HA!HA! H...O... HELLO THERE! THIS MOVIE IS FUNNY!
THE MOVIE WAS GREAT. LOT OF EFFECTS, COMEDY, AND ACTION. THE BEST PART WAS, SCOOBY/SHAGGY HAVE A PASSING GAS AND BELCHING CONTEST.
ALSO, THE SCOOBY DOO GANG BREAKING UP ALMOST BRINGS A TEAR TO YOUR EYE. SO, GET OVER IT! YOU WON'T BE DISSAPOINTED.

a very, very bad movie from a great tv show
It is nothing like the TV show everyone watches and loves. Would never watch it again or the second one. They could have done alot better than this. Don't watch it if you love the original TV show. ... Read more

Asin: B00006HBUB
Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family   

Leap2 Dune Buggy
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (2)

I thought my son would be more interested...
With this book, children have the opportunity to join Leap the Frog and his friends on a quest to build a dune buggy that Leap will drive in a dune buggy race.

Some notes about what is in the book:

1.Users can choose to have the narrartor's voice read the story aloud, or they can try to read it themselves.If a reader comes across a word he or she does not know, simply touch the pen to the word, and the narrator will say the word.

2.The book is 24 pages long, and just about every page has an activity that plays a part in helping Leap build the dune buggy and win the race (Oops!I gave away the ending!).For example, Leap must find his Grandpa's dune buggy sketch and plan.The plan is hidden in one of 18 bottles that line 3 shelves.To help Leap, touch the dune buggy at the bottom of the page.The narrator says, "Let's play a game.Find the orange bottle shaped like a circle.Find the bottle below it."If the reader correctly completes the narrator's requests, they are informed by Grandpa, "You've found it!"With 3 rows of 6 bottles each, there is a lot of variety - 6 different colors, 3 different shapes.This was a fairly simple activity that gets the reader's brain geared up for some of the other more challenging activities ahead.

3.I was surprised by how many "hidden item" games there were in the story.Out of the 11 games that I've seen, there were 4 hidden item games.Readers are given a list and pictures of items to find in the currently viewed page(s).I didn't think there was much value to these games at first, but my son's attention was held by the activity - a minor miracle considering his short attention span (he was 4 yrs old when he received this book).

4.Other games help with counting money, measuring length, subtraction, and addition.The actual race is an activity that consists of a maze.These games are all pretty cool.

All in all, I found this worth the money.It isn't the first book that my son pulls out, but he does flip through it every now and then.Although the characters are cute, my son dismisses them, because they aren't very memorable (my opinion) which may be because they don't have their own TV shows or other books.He seems more interested in the Scooby Doo book and the Superman book.I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

A good leap pad book
I bought this as my son't first leap pad math book.It quickly became his favorite leap pad book.You learn number recognition to 100, some addition, and a little about money.You also learn in one of the games the concepts of above, below, left and right.The story is engaging as well.The printed words are smaller than in the leap reading books.When you touch a word with a stylus, it does repeat the word for you, just like the leap pad for reading books.

I gave it a 2 stars for durability because the book got a ripped page. ... Read more

Asin: B00004W4ST
Sales Rank: 5100
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Math    3. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    4. Electronic   

Second Grade LeapPad Book: Disney/Pixar Monsters, Inc.
Average Customer Review:
Toy (30 November, 2001)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $6.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

LeapPad system's unique, multisensory interface already allows kids to enhance reading skills without making it seem like work. But this book has the added attraction of featuring those creepy (but, oddly, cuddly) creatures from the blockbuster movie Monsters, Inc. While top scarers Sulley and Mike figure out that kids are fun, not fearsome, children will exercise reading comprehension, retention, and concrete/deductive thinking. They'll also enhance their vocabularies and grammar skills along the way.

It's simple to use (kids insert the cartridge and book into their LeapPads, and use the attached stylus to hear information), but this system is an innovative technology that provides entertaining, effective learning, designed by a Stanford-trained reading expert. As well, the system has been credited with the TMA's Educational Toy of the Year and People's Choice awards. The books are designed to correlate with national academic standards for the grade levels they target.

Two notes: Make sure the LeapPad book you get is appropriate for the child's educational level; this one should be a challenge for kids up to age 8. As well, know that some LeapBooks work on both LeapPad and LeapPad Pro, like this one, but some books only work with one system. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Features

• Features the cast of Disney & Pixar's "Monsters, Inc."
• Interactive book and cartridge
• Works with all LeapPad systems, except for My First LeapPad
• Includes 18 learning activities
• Grades 1 to 3: Ages 6 to 8

Reviews (9)

Hands Down Favorite
This Monsters Inc. Leap Pad Books is my 6 year old son's hands down favorite! Although he has other leap pad books, this is the one he returns to time and again. He started by playing the games and then began reading along with the story. Highly recommended product, even fun for adults to play. !

It's a Scream-fest!
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite Leap Pad Book --- The screaming of the characters really gets on my nerves.Leap Pad has many other books that are enjoyable to play.

Yet another hit!
What a great way to get kids interested in learning! My son loves this book. At first he would listen to and read the story over and over. Then he started playing the games within (some are pretty complicated)and now he loves every aspect of the book. The coolest part is that he is reading, doing math, and problem solving all at once and having a great time doing it. I highly reccomend this and all other Leap pad books to any parent who wants their child to learn while they play, or vice versa. ... Read more

Asin: B00005KIS9
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Reading    4. Math    5. Electronic    6. Alphabet   

First Grade: Monster Money
Average Customer Review:
Toy (30 November, 2001)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $12.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Everything costs, and the monsters in this funny LeapPad story prove it. They have to figure out how much coinage it'll take to buy their favorite pet, and your child will help. LeapPad's multisensory, experiential interface makes kids--even those just getting used to school--want to count as well as big kids can. With Monster Money, kids see, hear, say, and touch throughout the story, retaining new information, and enhancing learned information, like counting, adding, currency, values, and more. The book teaches early math skills in a thoughtful, preoperational learning format that kids will think is fun, not work.

It's simple to use (just insert the cartridge and book into a LeapPad, and use the attached stylus to hear information), but this system is an innovative technology that provides entertaining, effective learning, designed by a Stanford-trained reading expert. As well, the system has been credited with the TMA's Educational Toy of the Year and People's Choice awards.

Two notes: Make sure the LeapPad book you get is appropriate for the child's educational level; this one should be a challenge for kids up to age 6. As well, know that some LeapBooks work on both LeapPad and LeapPad Pro, like this one, but some books only work with one system. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Not What I Expected
I bought this for my six year old 1st. grader and was very disappointed! Not only did it not have quarters in the series of coins, it never teaches that "5" pennies= "1" nickle, "10" pennies = "1" dime or "2" nickles etc.. It is also very redundant with the same money combinations.

Worth the Money!!
This is a great book. It teaches counting and money (pennies, nickels, dimes). Kids pick a monster, who in turn, picks an item that costs a certain amount. Kids then add up the correct amount of money the item costs. There are all different games to play. Well worth the money!!

Poor humor!
My 5 and 3 year olds enjoyed this book.I however am not so pleased.I agree with some of the other reviews that they really don't learn much about the coins and counting them, but I was also annoyed to find "potty" humor in a child's educational toy.There is a page that jokes about gas which the kids of course find hilarious, but I think they get enough of that in every day life and should not have it involved in their education! ... Read more

Asin: B00005BPP5
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Math    4. Preschool    5. Electronic    6. Alphabet   

Color In Tattoos Kit
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Express yourself by designing your own temporary tattoos. Apply the enclosed tattoo outlinetransfers and color them in using the washable skin markers (and your imagination). Or use the markersalone and work freestyle to create your own body art masterpieces. Tattoos last one to three days. They can beremoved with rubbing alcohol or soap and water (and a little elbow grease), or peeled off using adhesivetape. This kit includes over 50 tattoos. Both markers and transfers are made from nontoxic, water-basedmaterials.--Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (6)

So Much Fun
Grandchild loved this gift. Her and her friends made tattoos for everyone. There were so many styles to choose from and they really lasted. Would buy again in a minute.

No worth the Money
It doesn't come with enough tattous. They run out pretty fast. You are just buying 6 markers to draw and color your own designs.

Good
My mom bought this set for my four year old son last week. At first I thought it might be a little advanced for him, but he got the hang of it in no time. Now he is tattooing the whole family. They are pretty easy to rub off, but that's probably a good thing, since he covered my daughter's face with flowers right after she got out of the bath! For the price, this is a great toy. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IZZK
Subjects:  1. Arts and Crafts    2. Art Supplies    3. Body Art    4. Beauty    5. Activity    6. Craft Kits   

Wooden Birdhouse Kit
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This small and very simple birdhouse makes a satisfyingwoodworking project, and requires just a hammer and a Phillips-headscrewdriver to complete. Seven precut and predrilled pieces of wood areincluded, as are all the screws and nails you'll need. No decoratingsupplies are included, but suggestions for painting, staining, orvarnishing are included with the assembly instructions. --RichardFarr ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Thi kit is great!
I bought this for my 5-year old. She needed help putting it together, but she painted it by herslef and had a great time. These kits are reasonably priced, too. I hope they come out with more.

A real birdhouse
My son built the kit himself with little help after receiving it as a gift.He painted it as well, a great way to use up left over house paint.

That was three years ago and we have had birds nest in it each spring since!This year we plan to buy the kits so the kids can assemble and paint them as gifts for grandparents.

So easy, a kid can do it!
I bought this for my daughter, who wanted to try her hand at building a bird-feeder, yet the cast-iron-frying-pan-weilding-wife didn't want her baby near power tools (read: saws). Hey, with this kit you CAN NOT go wrong. My 11 year-old daughter tore into this with a passion.

The only time she ran into problems was when she didn't follow the directions. Other than 30 seconds of guidance from me, she *really* did do it all by herself. And don't think THAT fact was lost on her. It was so easy to do (and so low-risk, Mom!) that we would not hesitate to recommend this to any other parent, nor will we fail to buy her the other kits in this series, as long as they match the quality of this bird feeder.

All in all, this is one of the all-too-rare toys on the market - it works as advertised, is a blast for the kids, and gives value way beyond its very reasonable price. ... Read more

Asin: B00004ZBA0
Subjects:  1. Arts and Crafts    2. Craft Kits    3. Wood   

Deluxe Blo-Pens Creative Activity Kit
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Like miniature cans of spray paint, the pens in this 50-pieceBlopens activity kit can be used to make a wide variety of colorfulstencil and airbrush pictures. The kit contains 15 pens, including fivecolor-changing ones, and 23 precut stencils. Each pen is filled withnontoxic, washable ink. By blowing into one end of the pen young artistscan create a colorful airbrush effect on paper. A sturdy cardboardworkstation that holds all of the pens has been included, along witheight sheets of paper, a carry case for the whole set, and aninstruction and idea booklet. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Boo this toy sucks
It was hard to make the ink come out plus they ran dry to soonTake my advice dont buy them

not a (real) kid!
i am an artist; i make a lot of greeting cards.i have found blo-pens to be a lot of fun and i have been very creative with them.i found that i do better when i use my own stencils, and i have experimented a lot with the pens.my frustration is not being able to find just the pens, except for the "bold" colors, which i do not need.and i don't like the color change pens (the colors are blah, as far as i'm concerned).would love to know how to find an assortment of pens.

BloPens Rock
I loved playing with BlowPens. I used to hate arts and crafts. But when I got BlowPens, I had the best time of my life! Now my sister's an artist! ... Read more

Asin: B00004YZAL
Subjects:  1. Art and Crafts    2. Art Supplies    3. Markers    4. Activity    5. Arts and Crafts   

This is one open-ended art set that could keep several kids busy on arainy afternoon or even on a long car or plane trip. The set includes 175 smallrubber stamps imprinted with a wide variety of designs including animals,letters, and comical faces. The stamps can be inked with an included inkpad(with washable ink) or can be colored with a set of eight fine-line washablemarkers in bright shades. A large sheet of 400 tiny black-and-white stickers isalso included for children to decorate with the markers. All the art materialsare packed in a sturdy plastic case with a handle, keeping all those dozens ofstamps safely organized for the next use. --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Asin: B00005LOWH

Frog Tennis Game
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $20.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (4)

Save Your Money
I was very disappointed in this toy for my 4 1/2 year old. Don't know why the manufacturer placed a 6 years and up on it? After playing once or twice with the game, she got bored. All you basically do is hit the ball back over to the other side...if you miss it can fall into your pond with a splash sound. I don't think the makers of this game actually played with it before they mass produced it! As far as perfecting a child's eye/hand coordination with this game- forget about it!Sorry, but save your money for real tennis lessons when your kids are a little older.

Really Disappointing for our 4 and 6 year olds
We thought this was a reasonable idea for a toy and would be fun for my son and saughter who seem to like games that involve racquets and such. While the splashing sound the game makes when the frog "splashes" to the ground, my kids could never play with it for more than 5 minutes because it was frustrating (and for adults too). 1) The frog which has a weight on the opposite end consistently gets caught in mid-air and then has to be pulled down by hand in the middle of play. This happens especially when our kids try to hit the frog reasonably softly because 2) when they hit the frog with any amount of effort (and their kids so they try to hit is pretty hard, the base of the game twists and moves, disconnecting from the lily pad base pieces. So the game either goes two slow and the grog getts stuck, or it goes too fast and the base swings wildly or even moves. We thought this was a light and fun present for the kids, but it turned out to be one of a "mistake" present. For $.., you can get two real kid's tennis racquets and balls with strings on them, this was a waste of money. Don't manufacturers ever play the games they make?

The surprise hit of the holidays!
I'm usually a real stickler for my 4-year-old's toys having some educational value, but Frog Tennis is so much fun it doesn't even matter.We have played it nearly every day since Christmas, and we all have a blast when we play.The noises the frog makes are hilarious, and I must admit, it's rather a nice stress-reliever for a busy parent to be able to whack at this frog while he hollers "Whooaa!" It's an inexpensive, fun toy, a must buy!And for those who, like me, must have some educational value in a toy, Frog Tennis does help improve hand-eye coordination.There--now buy without guilt! ... Read more

Asin: B000063JP2
Sales Rank: 7171
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool   

Harry Potter' S Polyjuice
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (2)

Disgusting
it tastes horrible so i used my own ingredients which are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more yummier

Make Potions with Hermione in the Girl's Lavatory!
Well, Hermione isn't there, but it still is fun! This potion toy comes with fruity flavores that taste some-what odd when put together. I love the taste of the leeches. You will have to put it together, although the directions are very easy to follow. Have fun with this sugary experiment!

from a 12 year old girl ... Read more

Asin: B00006GSNJ
Sales Rank: 16588