Learning to read can be pretty frustrating for kids when they have to stop frequently to ask a parent, “what’s this word?” Now, LeapFrog is putting the power to learn in kids’ hands. The Web-connected Tag Reading System uses a pen-shaped reader that reads words for them when they touch the pen to a word. We tested the Ozzie and Mack activity storybook that comes with the new reader. “I like it because it helps me with words I don’t know yet,” our 5-year-old tester Zoe reported.
The reader has a small infrared camera at the tip of the reader that reads the dot pattern on the books. Kids can choose to have the entire story read aloud, or have it read line by line or just have the reader read a word at a time. The activity storybook includes games that help kids connect the words with pictures.
It’s portable enough to take along anywhere. The reader has a volume control, but does not turn up enough to hear in loud places such as restaurants. In our house, it has replaced other electronic game systems as the preferred take-along. Parents can connect to the Internet and download audio for more books, dragging the audio into the reader, just like MP3 files. The reader holds up to five books.
The Tag Reading System, for ages 4-8, will be available starting in June with a suggested retail price of $49.99. The Tag Reading System Library, which will feature Fancy Nancy, I SPY and Walter the Farting Dog, carries a MSRP of $13.99 each.