Leappad
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $39.99
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Editorial Review

This talking book comes with an interactive "magic pen" that works like a hand-held computer mouse pointer. Children can opt to turn the paper pages and listen to the story read with different voices for each character. Or they can interrupt the read-aloud session to play with the magic pen (permanently attached with a wire). They can point the pen tip to any word on a page and hear it pronounced, or touch a picture and hear a sound effect (such as "Strike one!" for the baseball bat). Very similar to the popular Living Books computer games, this 10-by-11-inch book is more portable than a home computer. Stories in this set include Lil's Loose Tooth, Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever, and Winnie the Pooh in A Sweet Good Morning. The set also includes a paper piano keyboard and map and human anatomy games.--Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (398)

I would pick this over the writer's Leappad
I have both a LeapPad+Writing and regular LeapPad like this one, and I can honestly say that the extra writing feature is not worth the extra money.Stick with the LeapPad regular and get a lot of LeapPad readers.Make sure that you don't buy this if you have babies that tear things up, though.My son has all the LeapPad books, but half of them are unsalvageable because of my toddler that likes to chew on EVERYTHING.The LeapFrog customer service is awesome, though... they have replaced my books for $10 each so I don't have to go out to buy new ones!

Best Toy I have ever bought
I bought a pink and purple LeapPad for my daughter when she was three for Christmas. She is five now and still plays with it every single day. Everytime a birthday or Christmas rolls around she asks for more LeapPad books. This toy has been a godsend during car and plane trips, hotel and restaurant entertainment, and any other situation when children need to sit still.

She has learned the alphabet, numbers, spelling, and reading from countless hours on this pad. She owns several books and each get used all the time. I think this is honestly the best toy invented in a long time. She has been able to figure it out because it is well thought out for the young user. They can hit the stop button with the pen to stop it, or hit the Go button to continue each story. Each book also has games and other activities, so they are well worth the money.It is impossible for my daughter to get bored with it because each book is countless hours of reading, games, music, and excitement.

I encourage all parents of young children to buy this LeapPad. It is well worth the money. It is a toy that they will not grow out of in a short amount of time because the books range in ages.It is not only educational but very durable. Our LeapPad has been dropped countless times and is still intact.The only complaint I do have is that it tends to consume batteries quickly and you need a screw driver to take off the cover to put new ones in. Other than that, that is the only negative I have to say about the LeapPad.

Toooo sloooowww for my boy
My boy has the attention span of a 4 year old. Why? Because he is 4 years old. He has no patience for the slow pace of age-appropriate leap pad materials. The learning games are too short, too slow, and too repetitive for him. ... Read more

Asin: B00003GPTI
Subjects:  1. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    2. Alphabet    3. Phonics    4. Reading    5. Talking    6. Electronic    7. Math    8. Counting    9. Learning   

First Grade LeapPad Book: Pooh Gets Stuck
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy (10 November, 2001)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Made just for preschoolers and early elementary students, Leap 1 Bookspack lots of lessons into one engaging, interactive story. In Pooh GetsStuck, narrated by actress Whoopi Goldberg, Pooh and the gang work to getPooh out of a tight spot--literally. A.A. Milne's characters are used to enhancephonics development, early vocabulary, and basic story-reading skills. Juststick the included book cartridge into a LeapPad, put the book in place,and, with a parent's guidance, the LeapPad takes care of the rest. Flip the bookover and Pooh and the gang invite your child to play learning activities withthem. Note: This book works with all LeapPads except the My First LeapPad Book.--Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Cute
This is a cute story. It works well with the leap pad system.

My only problem with this is I am very tired of this Pooh Story. Disney seems to have put this out in every medium available- dvd, video, books on tap, leap pad, computer games etc. There are other Pooh stories that are just as cute if not cuter. I'm tired of this one and so are my children.

If you have a Leappad book, I'd look at other stories before getting this one. It is a bit light on the activities compared to some of the other books.

Enjoy.

A Good Addition to a Good Product Line
My children don't use the LeapFrog products as much as I thought they would, and in that sense, if you do not already own the LeapFrog unit, you may want to borrow a neighbors for a couple of weeks and see if your kids take to it.That having been said, the products are of high quality, and the content is very good.The "Pooh Gets Stuck" is fine, whether its any better than borrowing a Pooh book from the library and reading it with your child is another debate.

Not bad for Pooh fans.
My three and a half year old daughter likes this book.She loves listening to the different silly sounds that are associated with each of the different pictures and locations in the book.I would recommend this book for any child that like Pooh and his friends.It is not as educational as most of the other books, but it makes a nice story. ... Read more

Asin: B00005BYR7
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Reading    4. Preschool    5. Electronic    6. Alphabet   

Leap1 Counting
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

Leap sets off to deliver invitations to the music recital but getsdistracted along the way in this engaging, interactive storybook designed to introduce basic math concepts to preschoolers. Set the book in the LeapPad(sold separately), and tap Go with the magic pen to hear the story. Optionalmath games on each page allow children to help Leap solve simple math problemsthat involve number and shape recognition, counting from 1 to 10, sorting andclassifying, and sequence and pattern formation. In the end, of course, theinvitations are delivered and the recital is a success. The final pages areparticularly fun: kids can tap the six individual instruments to hear them playalone, or tap the conductor to hear how all six parts come together to make asong. Like all LeapPad books, this one features excellent sound quality,pleasant narrative voices, fun sound effects, and adjustable volume settings.--Elisabeth Fredrickson, mother of three and former English teacher ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Not as much fun as...
the other LeapFrog books.I'm sure it has a lot to do that this book revolves around mathamatics, instead of Toy Story or Scooby Doo!All things considered, the only time we use this book is when I "make" my kids use it before they can play with the more entertaining, tv-like books.However, it is educational once they get involved.

I give 3 stars for durability, as I will for all Leap Books, only because the book does not provide storage for the cartridge. It sure would be nice if the books had small plastic sleeves for the related cartridge. We have a number of books and keeping the books and cartridges together are a little tough. The chances of losing the small cartridges will keep my durability rating lower than 5.

Also, the 3 stars for durability is related to a design "flaw". The wire from the pen and the bottom of the book are constant fighting for space. To turn the page, without possibly bending the page, requires you to hold the wire down so it doesn't interfere with the page. Easy enough for an adult to do, however my 5 year old doesn't remember to hold the wire down all the time. 50% of all of our pages have creases in the bottom of the pages...all in the same spot!

Age range should be younger
I think a more appropriate age range for this book is from 3 - 5. My 4 1/2 year old is now working with numbers up to 20+.This book would have been better for her a year ago.

Good Educational toy
This is a good educational toy, but my daughter is too impatient and does not want to listen to all of the instructions for the games.I would also suggest getting a box to put all cartridges and books in so that they can all stay together. ... Read more

Asin: B00004W4SM
Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning    3. Math    4. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    5. Electronic   

Blue & Green LeapPad Backpack
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Bright froggy green and sky blue, this lightweight butwell-stitched backpack is made just for carrying a LeapPad around in. There'sa special pouch with extra padding for the LeapPad, another that willhold up to four LeapPad books, and little net pouches for four LeapPadcartridges. Velcro fasteners make it easy for a child to secure theflap, which is emblazoned with the leapy frog himself. There areadjustable shoulder straps padded for comfort and a handle forbriefcase-style carrying. The shiny material is surface washable andresistant to stains. --M. Sullivan ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Needs a bit more padding to be perfect.
My 5yr old got the LeapPad writing system for Xmas, and we also needed a way for him to be responsible for his own "laptop computer".Pockets are large and wuite roomy to carry extra books & cartridges, and the two color options (boy vs. girl) is a nice touch.

The nylon fabric seems quite durable, similar to soft-sided suitcases. Will probably clean off easily too. The nylon seems strong enough to be able to hold its shape under "little boy" use for a while.

I wish it had some padding so that when my son wears it, he doesn't have such a hard object banging him on the back. He tends to run a lot. I'm sure he won't even notice all that stuff flopping around behind him, but it's something that wouldn't have been that difficult to incorporate into the design (I believe the Backpack I had some padding).

This is a must have for the Leap Pad!
We got this backpack along with the leap pad and 6 other books and gave it to our son as an early Christmas gift.He loves it and the backpack is perfect!He can get everything out and play with his leap pad books and then he puts them all back up in the backpack and when we go somewhere he packs it with him to the car.I never have to worry about him losing his cartridges as they are stored safetly in the backpack pockets and everything is light weight and easy for our 3 1/2 year old to carry by him self.
GREAT ITEM!

Leap to Order
For the price this is a great accessory for your LeapPad!My son gets twice the number of cartridges and books it it with plenty of room to spare.We even have some ziplocks with extras that can fit in no problem.The padded straps are easy on the shoulders and everything is neat and safely transported from grams house to friends to the doctor's office and everywhere in between.If you travel with your little one and their pad this is a great help.

Oh and big deal about the color difference.IF that's such a concern that it warrants a trip back to the store you have WAY too much time on your hands. My advice: use that extra time to read with your child!Life is too short and childhood too precious.

The price is great and IT WORKS just as it should and more.Another great Amazon offering. ... Read more

Asin: B000059XI2
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Electronic    4. Activity    5. Stuffed Toys    6. Stuffed Animals   

Bell Barbie Toddler Value Set
by Bell Sports
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

Little girls can cycle, scooter, skate, and skateboard in stylewith this colorful, flowered Barbie helmet set. Manufactured by BellSports, bicycle helmet specialists, this seven-vent helmet hasadjustable straps and additional foam pads to fit a child between 1 and4 years of age. Composed of a foam liner and covered with a tightplastic shell, the helmet complies with CPSC (Consumer Product SafetyCommission) standards for this age group. In our nonscientific study, itendured several hard slams by an adult to the edge of a desk, withoutshowing any damage. With the addition of a sturdy pair of pink glasseswith flip-up sun lenses in flowered rims and an 8-ounce water bottle,this ensemble will be a big hit with Barbie fans. --Diane Tuman ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Barbie helmet set
Very cool because it's Barbie and lets my daughter know that I belive it's important to wear a helment for her safety.

Glasses too small even for a 3 year old.
The product description says this is for a four or five year old.
The helmet fit fine, but the glasses were too small for my three year old.
In summary, only buy this product if you don't want the glasses or you have another kid to give them to.

Great set for toddler!
My daughter got this with her new bike for her birthday.
I love that it is so durable, the helmet has been thrown on the ground countless times and is still like new.
The glasses and water bottle are a big bonus.
Thanks for a great set. ... Read more

Asin: B000054A9P
Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Outdoor Play    3. Ride-Ons    4. Bicycles    5. Ride-On Accessories    6. Protective Gear    7. Helmets   

Barbie Presch Ool Scooter
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

At a compact 22 inches long, this Barbie Preschool Scooter is a goodchoice as a child's first scooter. Made of sturdy metal with a durable plasticplatform to stand on and plastic grips on both handles, the scooter combines acolorful floral motif in the popular Barbie colors and styling with a simplestructural design and durable components. The scooter's front handlebar isadjustable for height, and kids can store all their favorite Barbie dolls andother toys inside the see-through storage pouch that mounts on the front. Someadult assembly is required. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A hit with our four kids ages 2,3,4 & 6
I was skeptical when my husband asked me to purchase this scooter, and I actually went to the toy store to look at it.It appeared well built, and after watching my four oldest kids ride it for two days straight, I was glad I listened to him.One of our kids will grab this scooter the minute another one gets off of it.The two back wheels offer a good amount of stability, and my two year old is even able to handle herself on it.This was the hit of the day, and we are going to end up purchasing another one.It is so fun for them, they are having a difficult time at sharing!

Barbie Scooter
We purchased this scooter for my 2 year old daughter at Christmas time.She used it in the house for about 4 months, now that we are outside, she enjoy's it even more.Perfect for ages 2-5.All the kids want to ride on it.

Great Buy
This gift was given to my then 3 1/2 year old daughter from 'Santa'.That Christmas day the poor thing did not get a moment of rest.She was so amazed that she could ride a scooter and the fact that it was a Barbie scooter was just icing on the cake.I was a bit worried about my tile flooring but when I saw the rubber wheels they were all put to rest.The extra balance of the back wheels gave her a lot of confidence especially when she went riding with the bigger kids.Durability is great.A few of the much bigger children have taken rides on it and it has definately stood up to the test.Now, my 2 year old son has taken a liking to it.Wouldn't it be great if a 'Ken' scooter was made? ... Read more

Asin: B00005B085
Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Ride-Ons    3. Scooters   

Wheels on the Bus Board Game
by Hasbro
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The Wheels on the Bus Game will probably drive adults 'round and 'roundthe bend, with its all-talking, all-singing action, powered by three AAbatteries (not included). But designed for 3- to 6-year-olds, this combinationof memory game, play-acting, and sing-along fits nicely into Milton Bradley's"My First Games" portfolio. Players take turns rolling the musical yellow bus totheir space on the board. Pressing the hood tells them which of the four tokens(door, wiper, horn, or wheel) to locate by turning over any two of the 20 face- down tokens. Make a match, and keep the token; collect all four, and it's anexpress ride to the winner's circle. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Annoying toy!!
I had seen this toy on tv and my son (5 years) wanted it so we bought it for Christmas.It is so annoying! The music on the school bus is so loud and there is no on/off switch.When we put it up and something bumps it, it goes off with the music.I finally just took the batteries off.My son played with it a little and now he is tired of it.I would save your money and buy a better game.

Not getting the credit it deserves
We got this as a gift for my 3 year old and he absolutely loved it. Granted the song gets old but what toy that plays music doesn't? My kids never got tired of it. What is nice is you can play the easier level for young kids and as they get older you can use it as a more difficult matching game. The best part is the bus plays the entire "Wheels on the bus" song at the end and the kids can do all the motions that go with the song. I would recommend it and I think it is taking an unfair rap on these reviews.

VERY ANNOYING
This game is very annoying. The bus never is silent. It plays over and over even if you are not playing the game. You can't cut it off. We finally through it outside in the sandbox and still sometimes it will play when we are out in the yard. ... Read more

Asin: B00005BY3U
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Preschool    3. Board Games   

Convertible Polly Pocket
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

Fashion Polly lives up to her name. In this set she comesequipped with three changes of mix-and-match "Polly Stretch" clothes anda pink convertible car. All of Polly's tiny accessories and clothes,which are designed from a plastic stretchy material that's easy toremove and hard to tear, can be stored in the car's trunk. Fun featureson the car include wheels that really roll, doors that open, a tinypretend ignition key, and flip-up car seats that change colors,depending on what Polly is wearing. Polly also comes with plenty ofremovable flower and butterfly stickers for sprucing up her vehicle.--Amy Nevala ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Polly is quite fashionable
with her changing car seat cushions and decorative stickers.My 4 year old really enjoys this toy and the fact that the trunk works, the doors open and the wheels really move.A great gift item for a young girl.

Go Fashion Polly!
Fashion Pollys are very durable, and fun to use. I have the mall, the car, the Dance World, the bedroom, and 3 little sets. That's how cool they are. And they're not just for little kids, (...) I love playing with them, and so do my friends. Polly is so cute, and so are Lila and Lea, Polly's friends! The only bad part about them in taking off there clothes. Don't pull to hard, or the polly may fall apart, or her clothes may rip. Just be careful, but beside that they're awesome! I'm going to try & collect all the Polly's!

polly
This toy is great to play with there are just a few things about durability:
~if u leave the "removable" sicker on too long it peels off the paint on the car.
~the doors come off with a little not meaning to do it twist.
Some good things:
~The seats change patterns by flipping the other seat cover (you'll see if you get it)
~ It's just fun to drive Polly and friends around in it. ! ... Read more

Asin: B00004YO0K
Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Dolls    3. Pretend Play   

A 19-piece set of VeggieTales characters in colored felt. Junior Asparagus, Bob theCucumber, Larry the Tomato, and friends pilot the starship USS Applepies and try to save it frombeing hit by a giant popcorn meteor. Character pieces are mostly about 2 by 3 inches; there are also severalsmall stars and planets. The starship USS Applepies (and a piece representing its flight deck) arealso included--perhaps you'll meet some veggies from another planet. Note that this set does not include afelt board, which is sold separately. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Asin: B00000JIIR
Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Pretend Play    3. Playboards    4. Preschool    5. Arts and Crafts    6. Toddler   

USA Map Capitals and States Puzzle
by Melissa & Doug
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (14)

Kid-approved "sneaky education"
This puzzle is my 2 1/2 year old son's absolute favorite.He does it on his own, and is starting to know the state names.He will do it over and over and over again, and thinks it's great fun.I think it's a great way to help him learn!It's kind of nice when a learning tool has to be pried out of my child's hands....

If I had one complaint, it would be that Alaska is on the bottom left corner of the puzzle; it would have been nice if they'd made the puzzle larger so they could stick Alaska in roughly the right place.Not a big deal, though.

A GREAT educational toy!
My 3 year old son spotted this puzzle while we went browsing in the store.He wanted it SO badly even though it was rated for older children.Within 3 days of playing with this puzzle, he quickly mastered all 50 states, knew exactly where they all go at a moment's notice.Then in a few days, he is able to clearly identify and pronounce each state accurately.He can read a little bit, and I had to show him North and South so he could place the Dakotas in their places.We had moved to Arizona from California a few months earlier, so he understood that his "small house" was in CA and that we now live in AZ.Two weeks after playing this puzzle, we went to California to visit our old friends and favorite places.Upon returning home, he demonstrated he really understood the map even more and even knows Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean and several cities. Because he has 2 other USA maps, he has said several times that "Michigan is a mistake!They forgot to cut out Upper Peninsula (Upper Michigann)"!!!!I was originally from Michigan and know that Michigan has 2 parts.What I'd like to see in this puzzle is 50 individual pieces, even though they may be small and that their cutouts reflect more accurate shapes (maybe make the states a bit bigger!).My parents still have the wooden puzzle from late 1960's with all 50 pieces.Now, where can I find wooden maps of other places:Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, showing pictures of the countries, along with capital cities and other information?My son is already learning a few countries in Europe and is so eager and so ready to absorb more information in geography!We play the USA map puzzle practically every evening before he goes to bed!He's already map-literate far ahead of his peers and even amazed his summer camp teacher!Who says a 3 year old can't learn geography?!;-)

A good start
I would have liked more information to be included on the puzzle.Each piece is cut out in the shape of the state and has the state capital printed underneath.I think they could have taken this a step further adding key information about that state such as it's nickname, state flower or other educational information.It is a good way to get very young children to learn their state capitals and the shape and geography of the U.S. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JBLI
Sales Rank: 529
Subjects:  1. Puzzles    2. Learning    3. Geography    4. Preschool    5. Jigsaw Puzzles    6. Easy Puzzles    7. Wood    8. Pegged    9. Activity    10. 100-999 Pieces   

Thomas & Friends Water Tower
by Learning Curve
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $24.99 -- our price: $24.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

This miniature water tower is a simple, clever toy that is fun for any age. Attached to a smallplatform and piece of track, it fits neatly into the Thomas the Train layout that your child has alreadydesigned. A lever action pump "empties" and "fills" the see-through tower, so your child will have a realsense of filling up the engine.

Based on the award-winning Shining Time Station television series, the Thomas the Tank Enginetrain system fulfills all of a child's train-set dreams. Each 2-inch-high, wooden vehicle has black plasticwheels and a different name, character, and face, and there are magnetic bumpers at the ends for easylink-up. Your child will delight in making the pieces interact during imaginary play and will learn socialskills playing train with friends. Designed to keep pace with your child's development, this toyencourages the use of new motor and cognitive skills. Other track pieces and accessories are available.--Sandy Hirsch ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Lifetime warrenty? Good, 'cuz liquid fades
I take my daughter to the various toy stores that have the train sets, to see what she's interested in (she's turning two this weekend and getting a set of her own). The water tower is fun BUT the liquid pales over time. We've played with five separate sets, and the "water" is varying shades, depending on how long it's been sitting out. One tower has completely paled now, and it's difficult to see when the water is "full" or not. It's not sun exposure, these stores don't have windows in the play areas. I haven't examined the boxes to see the warrenty information.

My Son Loves The Water Tower!
My son had been asking for the Water Tower for quite some time, so we finally got it for him.

The plastic that encases the liquid is very, very sturdy--and it has never leaked. (Believe me...my son puts his Thomas accessories through the paces!) It's quite heavy, and fits right onto the wooden railway. By moving the black spout up and down, the blue liquid appears to empty and re-fill.

Kids seem to be fascinated with it, including my son. I definitely recommend the Water Tower as a neat accessory to any wooden railway system.

good for all kids
my mom boght me and mybrothergot this for christmas .HE didnt like this toy but i loved it! ... Read more

Asin: B00000JICU
Subjects:  1. Train Accessories    2. Wooden Train Sets    3. Train Set Accessories    4. Wood    5. Preschool    6. Activity    7. Push and Pull Toys    8. Vehicles    9. Trains