LeapFrog Educational Toys and Games
LeapFrog Tag Reading System (32 MB)

Product Description

Inspire a love of reading with Tag, the amazing touch reading system that brings stories to life like never before! As children touch the Tag Reader to the pages of specially printed storybooks, words talk, pictures sing and stories live out loud, engaging children's senses to make reading a rich, fulfilling experience. And, with more than 30 books and games based on favorite TV, movie and classic tales, the Tag library has something for every reader! Simply connect the Tag Reader to your computer with the included USB cable, download the audio for your Tag books and drag-and-drop up to 10 of your child's favorite stories onto your Tag Reader. While online, you can also discover your children's favorite books and activities, learn about the skills they are exploring and share in their accomplishments by creating a free LeapFrog Learning Path at leapfrog.com.

• Brand: LeapFrog
• Model: 20704
• Dimensions: 10.50" h x 11.00" w x 2.50" l, 1.00 pounds

Amazon.com Review
The LeapFrog Tag Reading System will change the way your kids experience reading. Combining fun, interactive activities with help for sounding out challenging words, this unique reading system will engage children in the reading process. Recommended for children ages four to eight, the Reading System uses the innovative Tag Reader to bring books to life. A simple touch to the Tag Activity Storybook will prompt the Tag Reader to speak words, ask questions, sing, and engage your child in over 17 learning activities. The Reading System has received over 28 awards in six countries!

Tag Reading System Ages: 4 to 6 years Requires: 2 "AAA" batteries (included)

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: The interactive LeapFrog Tag Reading System engages children for hours of reading fun. The Challenging: We wish there was a protective covering for the optical reader tip to store when not in use. In a Nutshell: A creative, award-winning learning tool that can store audio for up to 10 interactive books.

With just a touch, the Tag Reader will read, sing, and ask questions to your child.

Kids can select from a growing library of interactive books and store them on the reader.

Easy for Children to Use
The durable Tag Reader is cleverly shaped like a pen, with the optical reader at the tip. It's easy for children to operate independently and the pen fits well into small fingers. The lightweight Reader has a built-in speaker in the front for clear sound with volume control buttons located below the speaker. The adjustable volume ranges from very soft to loud.

Your child can also use the Reader with headphones (not included). An adult can help pry open the flaps that hide the headphone plug and USB port. There's also a handy audio book feature -- perfect for traveling -- that plays aloud an entire story. The battery is securely placed behind a screw-locked compartment for safety.

Advice to parents: the optical reader is exposed at the tip of the Reader so be sure to keep liquids away from it.

Amazing Response with Every Touch
Your child will instantly gravitate to the entertaining, interactive way the Tag Reading System opens up the world of books. She can touch virtually anywhere on the special Tag Activity Storybook and the Reader will respond with music, sound effects, amusing phrases, and other fun activities related to the book. There are special symbols placed throughout the pages that cause the Reader to read the entire page, play a game, prompt children to answer "yes" or "no" questions, repeat a phrase, or simply stop the Reader from speaking.

When children want to read on their own but need just a little help, simply pointing to a word on the page will let them hear just that word. This feature is perfect for children that are just developing their reading skills but get frustrated when faced with a challenging word. The Reading System will help them gain confidence and enjoy reading. Each TAG Storybook features games and activities that will help develop age-appropriate skills such as building vocabulary, reading comprehension, and other core reading skills.

Store up to 10 Books
The sample full-size book comes conveniently pre-loaded onto the Tag Reader. Additionally, 10 books can be loaded onto the Reader giving children the opportunity to switch back and forth between different books with ease. The Tag Reading system comes with a LeapFrog Connect CD and the Reader can easily connect to a computer with the USB cable (included).

There are currently over 30 books in the Tag Reading System library and it will continue to grow as LeapFrog constantly adds new books. Books range from classic children's books to contemporary, cartoon-based adventures, so there's something for every child. They also range in varying reading and skill levels allowing parents to tailor the books to their child's individual needs.

What's in the Box
One Tag Reader, one full-size Tag Activity Storybook, USB Cable, LeapFrog Connect CD, 2 "AAA" batteries.

From the Manufacturer
Inspire a love of reading with Tag - the amazing touch reading system that brings stories to life like never before. Now the #1 best-selling reading system in USA and Canada, the Tag Reader is loved around the world with more than 28 awards in 6 countries. As children touch the Tag Reader to the pages of specially printed storybooks, words talk, pictures sing and stories live out loud, engaging children’s senses to make reading a rich, fulfilling experience. And, with more than 30 books and games based on favorite TV, movie and classic tales, the Tag library has something for every reader. The Tag Reader now holds audio for up to 10 books at a time and comes with the hardcover classic Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat. Simply connect the Tag Reader to your computer with the included USB cable, download the audio for your Tag books and drag-and-drop up to 10 of your child’s favorite stories onto your Tag Reader. While online, you can also discover your children’s favorite books and activities, learn about the skills they are exploring and share in their accomplishments by creating a free LeapFrog Learning Path at leapfrog.com.

Customer Reviews

A great toy!
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.

LOVE it!!
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! I'm glad they came out with the higher-capacity reader. All kids should have a Tag Reader :)