Monday, October 15, 2012

Leapfrog Tag reading system

I chanced upon Leapfrog reading system when I was browsing toys with Adam at Kiddy Palace.
Not sure why I didn't even come across this sort of gadget before, I went home to do some research before deciding to buy Adam a set.
During the 90s, I grew up with sets of encyclopedias which my parents spent a fortune on.
Now, reading systems come in an array of colorful picture books and electronic "magic" pens which read word-by-word out loud to teach Phonics, Vocabulary, Math and Science!
$59.90 for the Tag reader pen only. Comes in Green or Purple.
I chose Purple because the color looks nicer. I'm superficial like that!

Left of the picture shows the Green pen, together with some books.
Each hard cover book costs $18.00.



There are so manny books to choose from - these boxes are Book Sets which cost $32 per set of 6 or 7 books.

I chose these 2 books for a start.

At home and finished downloading the Leapfrog App.

 

Pros of Leapfrog Tag reading system:
- Works like magic, reading word by word or by the entire page. Some book series even read each individual letter.
- Available also in Games, puzzles and stories.
- The book apps can be downloaded into the Tag pen by plugging into a PC with Internet connection and the provided cable.
- Unlike the Vtech Bugsby reading system which loads catridges for every book, no worry about catridge getting misplaced.
- Many books to choose from.
- Tag can be used to read Tag Junior books but not vice versa.
- You can track your child's progress by logging on to the Leapfrog App on your PC.
- Suitable for 4-8 years old

Cons:
- The tip of the pen is quite small and sharp so for younger or destructive children, the pen tip may get destroyed easily.
- Needs 2 AAA batteries, which I personally think is a hassle to keep on buying and replacing.
- Limited memory space. Can only download max 5 books. As you add on to your child's book collection, you need to delete the previously downloaded books from your pen.
- For those parents / Grandparents who are not tech-savvy, downloading the App and the books to the pen may be a problem.

More selection of books: http://www.leapfrog.com/en_gb/families/tag.books.html#0:1:0

Hope you find this review useful if you're intending to purchase a reading system for your child!

2 comments:

  1. Hi, so glad to come across your blog.

    I recently purchase the Tag Reader and Learn to Read Book Series from Kiddy Palace.

    Downloaded the audio books and all seem to work except I can't get the pen to read the whole story aloud when I press the audio button.

    Any idea is the story telling function doesn't work with the Learnt to Read series of books or something's wrong with my pen?

    I have tried contacting the local distributor and event the US technical support but have not received any response at all.

    Hope to hear from you.

    Thanks in advance!

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    Replies
    1. Hi dear, thanks for dropping by!

      My Leapfrog Tag reading system also cannot read out the entire story on its own, I have to go over word by word.
      I thought it's considered norm? No ah?

      Where did u buy yours from?
      If u r very bothered by it maybe you can bring it back and ask the store for a demo on another set.

      Hope you have it sorted out :)
      Mumzilla V.

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