If your child loves books, the LeapFrog Tag Reader is a great addition to your home library. My son received one when he was five and still uses it on a regular basis two years later. He calls it the “magic pen” and loves to use it on long car trips.
The LeapFrog Tag Reader is a battery operated device that hooks to your computer through the USB port. You download the audio files for selected Tag books; there are Dr. Seuss stories and traditional children’s literature as well as books featuring cartoon characters like SpongeBob and Scooby Doo. Then, after you unhook the Tag Reader, all your child needs to do is touch the tip to a word in the Tag book. The pen then begins reading automatically.
When we first purchased the Tag Reader, I was worried the response time would be slow or it wouldn’t recognize the words on the page if my son pressed too hard or moved the pen too fast. However, we’ve had no problems with the device. It recognizes words easily in every Tag book we own. We also discovered that many of the books have sound effects that appear when you touch parts of the picture on the page. The barking dogs, bubbling water, and dance music all serve to add to realism of the story your child is reading. Some of the books also have small games kids can play to test their reading comprehension.
New books for the Tag Reader are constantly being released, so there is plenty of opportunity to add to your child’s library. The books themselves are sturdy hardcovers and often go on sale whenever new titles are introduced.
Does your child have the Tag Reader? If so, please tell us what you think!
photo credit: LeapFrog
