Review of Leapfrog Tag Reading System Set + 12 Books Short and Long Vowels

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I really thought my kids, a preschooler and Kindergartener, would be thrilled with this set of a Leapfrog Tag Reader pen and books for Christmas. They're both learning letters and sounds at school and are beginning to read. However, they never ask for this toy and lose interest pretty quickly when using it. As far as I can tell, its only use is to substitute interactive reading with your child with a mechanical device. (Unless you have a super reluctant reader, a child with a near aversion to books; in that case, the extra sound effects and such might make that child enjoy books more).

The set up was easy--just plug it in with the included USB cable, go to the website, and choose the books from their list to transfer onto the pen. It takes a few minutes, but it's easy and not excessively time consuming (although browsing the books is a bit harder than it should be--if you search for a specific title, it brings up tons of books that aren't that title and don't even share any words from the title. I have no idea why.)

The trouble for me comes from the fact that the main options for using the Tag pen are either to push the book symbol--which reads each page aloud--or to push on each word--then it will read that word. There isn't a good function for sounding out the words. If you choose the sounding out function, it says the sounds but then immedately says the whole word, not allowing the child a chance to piece the sounds together themselves. Considering that this is how early reading is done (i.e. "b-a-t...bat!") it takes the entire learning process away from the child. I wish it would just say the sounds and then allow the child to figure the word out. The only redeeming part of these books is the little activities they have at the end of each book that help with reading comprehension or help the kids practice idenfiying sounds that the book focused on. My kids do like these parts and I do feel they are helpful, but they make up such a small part of the whole experience.

My final complaint is that I don't think the books are terribly interesting stories. I wish they'd have traditional folk tales and fairy tales (The 3 Bears, 3 Little Pigs, etc.), but instead there are only animated movies made to book form (Toy Story, Little Mermaid, etc.) and boring ones with little plot made up by the Leapfrog people.

Overall, I think this is just an expensive way to avoid reading to your kids and helping them learn. I feel like they get a lot more learning out of me reading to them and having them sound out words, identify letters, or tell me sounds as we go. My kids really don't care for this toy, other than to touch all the items in the picture to see what sound effect they make. Of all the things I bought for Christmas, I thought they'd like this the best, but they like it the least. Too bad.

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I bought this for my 4 year old niece. She loves it and plays with it every day. Her parents are thrilled that she is learning without knowing it.

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Great product for having your child have some individual time sitting quietly. Especially useful during busy periods dinner prep, getting ready to walk out the door, long car rides.

Honest reviews on Leapfrog Tag Reading System Set + 12 Books Short and Long Vowels

Overall a good reading tool. Works best with 5+. Also works better with parental involvement. This is good unless you want a toy to occupy the child on a car trip.

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The kids just love this one, it is durable I should say. The pictures inside the books are funny too. Very Well done !!!