Minimum Age: 4 years Rating:
		<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/LeapFrog-30004-LeapPad/dp/B00003GPTI%3FSubscriptionId%3D1BQY5B8C46HW7T34E882%26tag%3Dtoysshopper-21%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00003GPTI"><img border="0" src="http://www.toys-shopper.com/images/view_details.gif" alt="View LeapFrog LeapPad details at Amazon"></a>

The LeapPad includes a nifty software system that combines a "magic" pen with an interactive book designed to help children spell, follow a story and improve their vocabulary and concentration.

Users simply place the book onto the pad, take up the pen and follow the story. They listen to the story being read aloud first, then go over the words again with the pen, choosing whether to say the words, spell them or sound them phonetically. Each element encourages the child to join in, helping to develop an understanding of the sounds each word makes and how the words fit to form a sentence, and then a story. The real fun starts when the pen touches one of the characters: the slightest touch makes them speak and giggle along, adding a further dimension.

Included in the LeapPad reading scheme are: an excerpt from Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever, a good starting-point for vocabulary development ; a Winnie the Pooh story, especially designed to build confidence and story-reading skills in young readers; a page dedicated to different parts of the body, where the child is encouraged to identify and then spell out the words; an impressive section about musical instruments and an introduction to foreign languages which involves choosing an everyday activity then choosing to hear the words in French, Spanish, German or Japanese.

You don't have to understand how the technology works; all you need to know is that this is one of the most impressive, yet simplest, reading and learning system you are ever likely to come across, combining some of the most basic elements of learning with some of the most complex. But the real strength of this product is that it is fun. Children will find the interactivity irresistible, and will enjoy hearing sounds and playing the games that are, without them even noticing it, encouraging them to learn some of the most important skills on the road to adulthood. Requires 4 x AA batteries (not included). Ages 4 and up. --Susan Harrison

Children can practise their reading skills with interactive books such as Pooh Gets Stuck, Bounce Tigger Bounce, Best Little Word Book Ever and Things To Know.



Customer Reviews

Some Problems! Posted 22 November 2006
Although our 4 year old loves it, even he notices that some questions and answers do not tally - for instance, you are asked to find 4 honey pots of a certain type when there are only 3.

The demonstration book that comes with it is full of faults. When trying to sound letters, some do not work, others are spoken as words, not letters. We bought two ThinkPad plus books in error, and were planning to buy the hardware anyway, but found a demonstration of the reading book we had bought and saw that all the letters were upper case, where they are meant to learn lower case first.. don't want to confuse him any more.
Overall, very disappointed really.

Best Little Learning Tool Ever !! Posted 03 August 2006
I bought the LeapPad Learning system when it first came on the market,it was twice the price it is now, but worth every penny! Both my children have become readers well above the normal ability for their age, and I credit most of that to the LeapPad.. They both loved it,and it kept them safely occupied for hours, learning whilst having fun! My son managed to chew the end off the pen, but LeapFrog supply replacements for a small fee..so no worries! The only criticism I have is the thin pages in the books for this system, they can easily get ripped or creased, but other than that... Excellent educational toy!

Great Idea Posted 28 February 2006
This was a present for my daughter who is 3. She loves turning the pages and "interacting" with the book, counting, itentifying numbers and letters, story-telling, etc. My children are half Spanish and have the benefit of being able to use both Spanish and English books and cartridges. An excellent learning tool

Good buy Posted 30 January 2006
I originally bought this toy for my daughter who's now 7, had it now for 3 years, and she still uses it. She has even let her little brother use it for his books. They both have their own books. Very robust and fun to use. My daughter loves to read and my son was not so keen but he loves borrowing his sisters LeapPad now. So useful for all abilities. When they want to play a game they have a games machine of their dad's to borrow. So they know a book is a book and a game is a game. A very important point to make. I think if you buy one make sure they know what it is, what the point of tricking them that it's a game they are playing. It's a book for reading with a bit of fun thrown in. I think the books are little expensive.

Strange Conception Posted 28 December 2005
The idea is great and really appeals to kids. However, the person who designed this is, according to my 3 year old a "silly man" which I know to be a sexist comment but is probably true. The pen is connected to the toy by a wire which gets terribly in the way when you want to turn the pages. The books are not made of very sturdy paper and therefore, I perdict this toy will not last very long.