We really love the new TAG Reading System from Leapfrog. After years of complaining that none of the electronic educational companies leveraged the great wealth of children’s literature for their platforms, Leapfrog really delivered. The library of books includes many wonderful picturebooks by award winning authors and illustrators. So the other night when I saw their commercial (which is pretty cute)…I understood, but was saddened that the marketing choice was basically “hey, your kid can read Sponge Bob with the TAG.” True…but we hope you’ll also bring home a wider range of titles that include Chicka, Chicka Boom, Boom, I Spy, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type and The Little Engine that Could.
Stephanie Oppenheim on Toys
Thoughts on Toys from the Co-Founder of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
does this replace the LitttleTouch or the LeapPad or is it in between?
In terms of age it’s beyond the Little Touch – intended for babies and toddlers. Our testing of the Little Touch indicated that the babies/toddlers we tested it with were more interested in the on/off switch than the activities. At this early age we’d recommend more parent intensive first reading experiences. The LeapPad is more activity based for the preschool/early school years crowd.
The TAG is really the ultimate in electronic books. What we loved about the system is that you don’t have to use it. The books cost $14.95 each–so there is nothing wrong with reading the book with your child the old fashion way. On the tech side your child can use the special pen and “read” along as the pen reads the book. This allows your child to have some independent exploration and pleasure of reading a book long before they can truly read it on his own. To us, it’s the best of both worlds-especially since the titles are books you’d want to bring home. Most of the products in this category have been dominated by licensed only books–while there are some in this series as well – there is a commitment here to bring technology and quality books together.