LeapFrog Tag Junior Review + Giveaway (Closed)

The LeapFrog name is no stranger to many parents. Browsing through their Baby Toys, I am reminded just how familiar my family is with LeapFrog – we have a number of the toys for wee ones, so I was interested to try the Tag Junior Book Pal. Like most kids, Toddler Boy loves to read books. And by read, I mean, he loves when we read to him and he loves to memorize and “read” to us. Because of the interaction when we read together I was a little skeptical about the Tag Junior, imagining it to be an impersonal gadget that might take some of the joy out of reading. (I honestly thought it might be the book equivalent of turning on a DVD to occupy Toddler Boy.) I was wrong.

About LeapFrog Tag Junior

LeapFrog revolutionized how kids learn to read with its LeapPad® Learning System, then did it again in 2008 with the Tag Reading System. Now LeapFrog offers younger children a learning toy that helps them develop a love for books. Tag Junior brings stories to life in a way that is just right for two- to four-year olds, encouraging little ones who are just discovering books to build a lasting interest in them.

Video Review

My Favorite Features of the Tag Junior

• Truly interactive. I expected the Tag to simply read the text of each book.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the level of interaction and detail in each book. As you can see in the Tag Junior video review, each book audio contains details, activities, sound effects and audio fun well beyond the text of the book. It actually gives me ideas for ways to involve my son when reading books to him.
• Set up is easy. The best way to explain it is that the Tag Junior operates like an iPod but instead of music for you it stores books for your child. To set it up, you follow simple directions and add a program to your computer, connect to LeapFrog and download book audio. The program is pretty user friendly (assuming you don’t try to set up a Tag Reader rather than a Tag Junior like someone I know. ::cough, me, cough::).
• Personalize. In a quick step you can set up the Tag Junior to greet your child when they turn on and turn off the Tag. Not surprisingly, Toddler Boy loves hearing his name. The Tag Junior can hold up to five books of your choice at a time.
• Great size. Perfect size and shape for a little one’s grip and small enough to throw into a diaper bag or back pack.
• Learning Path. You can check out what your child is doing with the Tag Junior, like see what books he prefers and reads the most, online at the LeapFrog Learning Path. It’s pretty cool!
• Recommended for children 2 to 4 years old.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I have been really, really impressed with the extent of interaction and amount of activities for each book in the Tag. It’s really exceeded my expectations. I think it’s pretty cool, and more importantly it truly engages Toddler Boy beyond simply telling a story.

Or Not to Buy… In my ideal world, the LeapFrog Junior would have ear phones. Not for every day use, but for on our upcoming plane trip. This is just the type of thing that will be perfect on the plane to entertain Toddler Boy, but it might disturb others. On the positive side, it does have volume control. And, not surprisingly, the books compatible with Tag Junior are more expensive than average books at $10.99 a piece.

Shop! Check out the Tag Junior and the compatible books at LeapFrog. The Gift Packs including a Tag Junior and two books are good deals and perfect for the holidays. The Tag Junior is currently on sale at LeapFrog.com and use the code MERRY10 for an additional 10% off! Order by December 21 and Ground Shipping orders will arrive by December 24.

Win! A LeapFrog Tag Junior!

How to Enter: Visit LeapFrog and tell me another educational toy you’d like to give this holiday season.

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The Fine Print & Disclosure: Giveaway ends December 29. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to LeapFrog for providing a sample product for the purposes of this review and the giveaway prize. The opinions expressed are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.