A few details about how the Tag works, since that is not obvious from the product description or pictures. First, you NEED a computer with a USB port, CD drive, and Internet connection in order to use the Tag. The Tag unit is a pen-shaped device that has a speaker which actually outputs the "sound" of the story (with headphone jack and volume controls), and some internal memory for the electronic books that you will download from LeapFrog's site. Depending on which Tag you buy, it might hold 16 megabytes (about 5 books) or 32 megabytes (about 10 books). Only one hardcover book, in our case The Cat in the Hat, was included in the box with its audio preloaded onto the Tag unit.
It's worth noting that the Tag is NOT a scanner! You can't use any old picture book with it and have it read the words. You must buy Leap's special hardcover books to go with it. These look and feel like regular books, but there must be something embedded in the paper that lets the Tag "read" the book to your child. The books range from $10-$14 and there are over 25 of them in the Tag library, with more being published all the time.
Getting started is really easy if you're fairly proficient with your PC. The process is much like adding and removing photos from your digital camera. You put the AAA batteries into the Tag unit and load the software from the included CD onto your PC. The software tells you to connect the Tag to your computer via USB, and power it on. The software then analyzes your Tag to see what books are already there. It allows you to download the audio for any Tag book onto your PC; select which books to add or remove from the Tag unit; and then "synchronize" the PC and the Tag. There is no charge for downloading the books. You could download ALL of them and put as many as will fit on your Tag, since the audio is not really useful without the Tag hardback book to go with it. And those, of course, you must pay for.
Once you have put the audio on the Tag, "reading" a book is very easy: Just turn on the Tag, and lightly tap various spots in the hardcover book, as directed in the book. Tag reads entire pages or just words, and if you tap the pictures in the book, the characters (or objects) speak in "their own" voices. My daughter loves that feature.
I do wish there were a cap or cover for the business end of the Tag, to protect the plastic stylus if the Tag gets dropped. I think I will buy the carrying case and teach my daughter to put the Tag away when she isn't using it. The Tag hardcover books seem as durable as any other book.
The thing I love about Tag, versus earlier book readers from LeapFrog, is that you no longer need a cartridge to go with each book. Yes, you have to go online to download the audio and that is a bit of hassle, but I much prefer it over buying Leap books and then losing the (small) cartridges, so the books become useless. People without high speed Internet might feel differently, but for me this way is much better. I did open the Tag box and do all the setup and installation before we gave it to my daughter, so she was ready to go with three books when she got it.
As of this writing in December 2009, there is a $10 off coupon for the Tag reader good through the end of the year. Just search for "LeapFrog Tag coupon" on Google and it will direct you to a PDF file which you can download and print. I am not sure how it can be used to buy from Amazon, but maybe there is a way.
UPDATE: I have just learned that the Tag can read Tag Junior books, too. These are board books designed to go with the Tag Junior device, which works just like the Tag except that it is shaped for the smaller hands of 2-4 year olds. The reverse is not true, however; the Tag Junior device cannot read Tag books. Also, the Tag will not read individual words out of Tag Junior books, only whole pages.
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My twin 5-year olds have had this toy since last Christmas. They love it. We have (I think) a prior version with less memory-we're only able to store about five books on the pen (as opposed to 10, as the review indicates).The TAG was very helpful for my girls as they began to read stories and recognize words by sight. Leapfrog has an extensive library of books, so there's lots of variety to choose from, with characters the kids recognize (Dora, Diego, Spongebob, etc), as well as kid's classics like "Cat In The Hat" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". We purchased the carrying cases as well, which provides handy storage for several books and the TAG pen. We take the TAG books and pens on long car rides keeps the kids busy for a good long while.
I also appreciate that there are many "levels" of exploration with this toy. The child can use the pen alone, and listen to all of the audio for all stories downloaded to the pen just by pressing a button. The TAG will cycle through all of the stories. The books themselves are also multi-dimensional: You can just read the story, or you can play the games embedded in the books and earn rewards on the Leap Path website. My girls also like to explore the books, and place the pen on the pictures of the characters themselves Leapfrog has embedded some cute dialog as well. For instance, when reading the Spongebob book, if you place your pen on Spongebob's face, he'll say something funny related to the story.
The LeapPath website allows parents to drill down into each book the child has read, total minutes the child spent exploring the story, and cool info on what skills the child is building.
CONS: The TAG EATS batteries. Be sure to have a supply of AAA batteries on hand. The volume could use a boost; my daughters are sometimes holding the pen to their ears in order to hear the narrative (they're not too fond of earphones, so that's not an option for us). Downloading new stories to the TAG pen can take a little while; its not a horrific wait, but it can seem like forever with an impatient child jumping up and down in front of you, waiting to read a story and use his pen.
All in all though, an awesome toy.
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My daughter has been using the Tag Reader (normal, not jr) since Christmas 2008, 3 months before her 3rd birthday. She LOVES it!! I prefer to keep computer games out of her hands, so this is a great alternative! This interactive book helps teach kids how to read and recognize words. They can use it anytime & anywhere---excellent for travel (especially if you get some headphones). The higher-capacity reader is a great upgrade since she can have all her books programmed in instead of just 5 of them. All kids should have a Tag Reader :)UPDATE on 03/26/10: She just turned 5 and is reading at about a 3rd grade level. Reads paragraphs easily and smoothly. We know it is because she has this interactive reader that she can use anytime. (And we read other books to her, of course) We got her the Tag USA Map for her birthday, so now she is learning about all the states, too! She LOVES it.
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This may be the best investment you will ever make for learning/fun. I gave my 3 1/2 year old daughter the first book (Ozzie and Mack) and it was love at first sight. What's not to love? Imagine being a young child and being able to read the book yourself! But it gets even better...the characters talk in their own voices! And there are games to play! Car-rides? Tag. Waking up early and not wanting to put the TV on? Tag. Bed time story taking turns having Dad read it out loud and then having my daughter read it with Tag? Priceless!The technology is ingenious, and though mildly irritating to have to upload and download through a computer, it is a small price to pay. Speaking of small price...the books retail for $14 but can often be found on sale for $10. That is basically the price of a regular book with all the features of Tag for just a few extra bucks.
The books themselves are quality; good stories and great artwork. They are also "graded" meaning the games/activities have different levels which make for excellent replay value as they enter different levels of reading (pre-reader, emergent reader, ect.)
I can't speak much to the durability as we have only had it for a few weeks. If I have to shell out another $40 for a Tag pen next year it will still be an amazing value. Bravo LeapFrog, for making a great hybrid system of fun and leaning that has enough variety to be perfect for every child!
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We purchased the Leapfrog Tag reading system for our 5 year old in the summer of 2009. It's now Christmas and the first thing on her wish list is more Tag books!My daughter loves to take the pen and books in the car on roadtrips and often sits on her bed and entertains herself by "reading" to the pets. The fact that the books do more than read to her is wonderful, she enjoys the sounds that each picture makes, loves the games that nearly every page offers and is learning easy reader skills that keep her wanting more. She even asked me to chart her progress on the Parent page on the computer so she can see how she is progressing!
We love this system and will buy it for other young readers as gifts. Not alot of parts, not loud and annoying, not a hassle to deal with, but fun, educational and leaves the kids wanting more. What more could one ask for!!!
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