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LeapFrog® Tag Reading System (16 MB)
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| Price: | $59.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
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Ships from and sold by Adra Kishma
15 new or used available from $54.99
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Product Description
Introducing Tag Reading System, the revolutionary touch reading system that brings reading to life like never before. Tag engages children to make reading a rich, fulfilling experience. Children simply touch the Tag Reader (which looks like an electronic pen) to the book's pages, and words talk, characters sing and stories fly off the pages.
With a huge library of hardcover books and games including favorite TV, movie and classic tales, each Tag Book allows children to learn at their own pace, building their skills and their confidence. Plus, by connecting the Tag Reader to the online LeapFrog Learning Path, parents can see what their child is learning -- and even receive recommendations on what books their child could read next! Includes Tag Reader, plus the "Ozzie and Mack" Book; additional Tag Books sold separately. Tag Reader requires two "AAA" batteries, not included.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #2145 in Toys & Games
- Brand: LeapFrog
- Model: 30704
- Released on: 2008-06-08
- Dimensions: 10.90" h x 10.40" w x 2.30" l, 1.10 pounds
Features
- The amazing touch technology of the Tag Reading System encourages a child's love of reading as words talk, pictures sing and stories live out loud!
- The Tag library includes over 20 books and games featuring characters from TV, movies and classic tales.
- Tag storybooks and learning activities help children build vocabulary and reading skills such as word recognition, reading comprehension and phonics skills.
- Children learn to read through an exciting and interactive experience in which they can also earn online rewards.
- Parents can connect the Tag Reader to the online LeapFrog Learning Path to see what their child is learning, and explore ways to expand their child's learning journey.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
A unique touch and talk device that brings stories to life, the Tag Reading System works with a library of books and games from LeapFrog. Funny voice-overs and cool sound effects add to the fun of discovery, helping ensure that children four to eight love the way this interactive, educational system boosts their confidence and their reading level.
 The tag reader is designed to fit comfortably in small hands. View larger. |
 LeapFrog books include fun, educational activities. View larger. |
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With a wide grip that's perfect for little hands, the Tag reader adds a unique element to story time. The included book, Ozzie and Mack, features the rhyming adventures of Ozzie Otter and his playful animal friends. Text for this book is preloaded onto the Tag reader, so as soon as you load two AAA batteries (not included) into the reader, the story can begin.
A little camera in the tip of the reader identifies words and symbols on the specially printed pages, giving kids lots of options. They can pick between starting a story at the beginning and having it read all the way through, playing a page at a time, or reading themselves and using the Tag reader to hear single, tricky words spoken aloud. This last option inspires kids to try reading books they might otherwise avoid, since the Tag reader is always there to help them out.
Young readers are sure to enjoy the way character voices add drama to their favorite stories, the way touching certain pictures inspires quirky sound effects, and the leveled activities included in LeapFrog books.
Explore the World of Reading
LeapFrog presents a library of books that are compatible with the Tag reader. Classics like The Little Engine That Could come to life, and kids' favorite characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Kung Fu Panda, help them connect with new stories. LeapFrog has even teamed with National Geographic Kids to present activity cards featuring different animals that the Tag reader brings to life.
To use additional books and games, you'll need to install the LeapFrog connect application on your computer. Once this is done, it becomes easy to download audio for the books you have and put them on your Tag reader. Use the included USB cable to connect the reader to your computer, and drag-and-drop up to five stories onto it.
Watch Children Fall in Love With Books
Young readers may be too busy following the escapades of their new friends to realize they are building phonics skills, expanding their vocabulary, and improving their reading comprehension. The Learning Path can help you keep up with their progress. This parent-centered section of the LeapFrog connect computer application allows you to download education information from the reader to your computer and track your child's progress. Use it to help customize your child's unique learning journey and celebrate educational milestones.
Overall, this innovative touch system makes reading an enjoyable experience, and there's plenty of room for the system to grow with your child's skills. Watching as children learn new skills and thinking up new ways to be involved in the learning process keeps adults on their toes. While the reader seemed quite durable, the imaginative world of stories that it opens up is a gift that will long outlast the reader itself.
Although headphones are not included, the Tag reader is compatible with most headphones, so kids can concentrate on reading without being distracted or disrupting others.
What's in the Box
Tag Reader, USB cable, LeapFrog Connect software CD, and the book Ozzie and Mack.
From the Manufacturer
TAG Reading System Introducing Tag - the amazing touch reading system for beginning readers. Perfectly sized for little hands, the Tag Reader is a touch-and-talk reading device that brings stories to life like never before and offers insights into what your child is learning. As children touch the Tag Reader to the pages of specially printed storybooks, a small camera in the tip “reads” the pages, enabling children to hear words and stories read aloud. Characters, pictures and learning activities spring to life with every touch, immersing children in the thrill of reading. Designed for children four to eight, the Tag Reading System works with a broad library of more than 20 books and games. Children can explore classic books such as Olivia and The Little Engine That Could, or join popular characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Ariel the Little Mermaid in new reading adventures. Leveled learning activities in every book adjust automatically to your child’s pace, helping build confidence and a love of reading that lasts a lifetime. Amazingly easy to use, the Tag Reader holds audio for up to five books at a time. 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 five of your children’s favorite stories onto your Tag Reader. While online, you can also see your children’s progress in recent books, get detailed updates on the skills they are exploring and share in their accomplishments by creating a free LeapFrog® Learning Path at leapfrog.com. The Tag Reading System is one of three new LeapFrog Connected learning systems that connect to the LeapFrog Learning Path, empowering you to get regular insights into your child’s learning. Recommended age range 4-8 years old
Customer Reviews
The Holy Grail
There was an article about this toy before it came out in Wired Magazine. It basically interviewed the inventor and peaked my curiosity. So I purchased it. It is an impressive device by any modern day standards. Basically it's a camera that recognizes words and images on specialized paper (the limited series of books that you purchase). Once recognized it plays sound bites or reads the word(s) on the page that you are passing the pen over. It's smartly designed and a child quickly understands how to operate it.
At first it's a game and your child will just want to click on everything to hear the sound bites. As time goes by they start exploring the less than obvious features like read back and games. Before you know it you have a totally transfixed kid. It's great for a long drive and it certainly beats the pants off a dvd. I do believe that this device is positively contributing to my child's learning. I will say that the books vary in quality. I am writing reviews on most of them ; ) so you can follow along if you wish. To start with get Sponge Bob as it is the best of the bunch followed by Kung Fu Panda or Cars.
Last thought if you're still with me. This is a wonderful invention. I do recommend it especially for parent's that are looking for an alternative to TV. I just wish to caution that it is not a substitute for quality reading time with your child so make sure to read to them as well. Overall a great investment.
I hope this review helps.
Best Commute Option Ever
We use this toy for our almost-five-year-old during our daily commutes. It's wonderful because a) it grabs her attention and delights her during what is usually a very shaky, depressing, hungry time of day, b) it's not like a video game in which you have a catatonic child in your backseat who refuses to talk--it's an interactive learning toy that prompts questions and interesting conversations, and c) it's not obnoxious--no weird beeping, no shooting noises, no electronic "music." It's filled with great music that's real. (The most obnoxious it gets is when she repeatedly clicks on an interesting phrase. Last week we heard "It was spectacular!" five times, before she informed us what she believes "spectacular" means.)
It's not often when our child thinks that a toy is as awesome as her parents do. But I can tell this one is definitely on her short list. It's the only toy that regularly travels from the car to the living room, to the kitchen table, to the bedroom, and then back to the car. That's right. She *carries* it. She doesn't ask us to carry it around for her. As far as I'm concerned, that's the highest praise you can give.
A step up from leappad, but has limitations.
The Tag reading system is definitely a step up from the Leappad in terms of playability. However, it has its limitations.
- Unlike the Leapster where multiple users can share each device, each Tag is for a single user (player profile). LeapFrog highly recommends each child have his/her own Tag reader in order to take full advantage of Tag. Therefore, sharing doesn't work and means more $$$$ spent.
- Using a Tag reader on multiple computers might be cumbersome. I haven't found a way to "migrate" data easily, for example, in case of OS or PC upgrades. This affects the Rewards and the LEAPFROG Learning Path.
- Can only store 5 audio books at a time on the Reader. So if your child wants a different book besides one of the five, you'll have to connect to the computer to download/manage it. This will make it difficult for long trips. Memory is cheap, why not have more memory to begin with?
- Must connect to the internet, but then, who doesn't have internet access these days.
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Some nice points.
- Has a headphone jack!
- USB connectivity was pretty easy, but did seem a bit slow.
- Reader worked fine.
