LeapFrog Original LeapPad Learning System from 2004

by LeapFrog

Product Features

• Stories suddenly come to life with the light tap of the Magic Pen
• The award-winning LeapPad Learning System teaches fundamental reading skills in a way that keeps your child coming back again and again
• The LeapPad Learning System uses a larger platform
• The library is organized by grade to teach reading, phonics, vocabulary, math, science, music and much more
• Thinner pen designed for preschoolers and kindergartners to introduce them to the magic of books and reading

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00003GPTI
• Item model number: 30004
• Manufacturer recommended age: 4 - 8 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,455 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #19 in Toys & Games > Preschool > Pre-Kindergarten Toys > Learning > Counting & Math
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (432 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Editorial Review

This talking book comes with an interactive "magic pen" that works like a hand-held computer mouse pointer. Children can opt to turn the paper pages and listen to the story read with different voices for each character. Or they can interrupt the read-aloud session to play with the magic pen (permanently attached with a wire). They can point the pen tip to any word on a page and hear it pronounced, or touch a picture and hear a sound effect (such as "Strike one!" for the baseball bat). Very similar to the popular Living Books computer games, this 10-by-11-inch book is more portable than a home computer. Stories in this set include Lil's Loose Tooth, Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever, and Winnie the Pooh in A Sweet Good Morning. The set also includes a paper piano keyboard and map and human anatomy games. --Gail Hudson

Product Description

This award-winning educational product introduces children to the magic of books and reading. LeapPad interactive books and cartridges incorporate activities that develop vocabulary, spelling and phonics awareness. Each book is packed with engaging activities, games, stories and facts that make learning to read a pleasure. Touch the special LeapPad books with the included "magic" pen to: hear words and stories read out loud, learn letter sounds, hear colorful characters come alive and play engaging learning games. The LeapPad learning system comes with a 24-page interactive book. Additional expansion book and cartridge sets sold separately. It requires four AA batteries, which are not included.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

724 of 733 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational, Fun and State-of-the-Art, October 7, 2000

By 

Octavia (United States) - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: LeapFrog Original LeapPad Learning System from 2004 (Toy)

Nevermind what age the manufacturer suggests for this product, a child as young as 12 months old can enjoy the pictures, music and stories.

I bought this for my two year old twins who ADORE it!

One problem with twins is the "share factor". Both, however, may enjoy the Leap Pad Learning Center at the same time. Although they must take turns with the stylus, they enjoy the stories and games together.

My only complaints with this product are that it is a paper paged book. As often as my children play with it, the book won't be able to withstand the wear and tear. Also, despite touching the attached stylus (pen) onto the green "go" button, sometimes the reader does not correctly respond to which page you are on. Having to touch the stylus to the green "go" button at every page is a bit annoying, however, with as much use as we've had, it becomes habit. Too, if you do not, the Pad verbally reminds you to do so.

The book sits on the Pad, which must lay flat on a flat surface to work properly. There is much to do on every page. You can turn the unit on or off with a touch from the stylus and raise and lower volume. You can command the Pad to read the page to you or to read to you words that you touch, or alternatively, to sound out the words. Each page also can be commanded to play songs or to play games. You may even touch objects for sound effects.

Another benefit the Pad offers, is that it may "grow" with your child. There is much to do on every page and at different skill or age levels. For example, after the toddler has mastered the states, he/she may progress to distances and populations within those states. This is important to me, as I have purchased educational products which my children tire of after they've learned what it is the item offers and educational toys are not inexpensive, particularly if you are providing for more than one child.

My twins, a boy and a girl, now newly turned three, enjoy the Pad equally, despite their very different interests, which is rare in my household. My son has learned all of the states on the United States map, which is depicted in the included book. Because of the Pad, he can identify them by name and by sight. We are now working on state capitals. Again, my son has only recently turned three.

My daughter prefers "reading" and can sight read a handful of words and is working on sounding them out with phonics. I'm a believer in both sight reading and phonics, so this is ideal. Again, I'm impressed that this Pad provides activites that interest both boys and girls, with varied and different interests and at different skill levels.

The enclosed, included book contains stories with characters familiar to young children, such as Pooh. It includes anatomy, learning skeletal system; Geography, with the U.S. map; Music, with a page with a piano keyboard as well as band/orchestra instruments; And the stories, which promote reading.

The games encourage critical and analytical thinking, noticing details and recognizing letter/sound relationships. The book itself promotes fine motor skills, helps develop auditory and visual discrimination, visual perception and noticing details, in addition to the topics described above.

As a former teacher and a parent, I highly recommend this product. It epitomizes "making learning fun". I haven't seen an adult who has played with ours who is able to put it down either!

271 of 271 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kindergartener loves Leap Pad, December 13, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: LeapFrog Original LeapPad Learning System from 2004 (Toy)

We have Leap Pad for our kindergartener. I was very concerned that Texas kindergarteners are not pushed to read so I purchased the Leap Pad, the Reader Rabbit complete reading system and the Scholastic phonics book system. However, the Leap Pad is my daughter's favorite. She loves to take Leap Pad with her in the car, to babysitters, etc. She can't do this with her computer programs. Leap Pad keeps her attention. And, she can do it all by herself, not like the computer programs where I need to help her. Leap Pad comes with one book. There are other books that can be purchased. There is a series by Richard Scarry and another series by Whoopi Goldberg. There is also a Pooh book. You and your child will not be disappointed with the Leap Pad. It is an exceptional educational toy. I highly recommend this toy for children in Pre-K to about 3rd grade.

253 of 255 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buying one for every kid I know!, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: LeapFrog Original LeapPad Learning System from 2004 (Toy)

This LeapPad is really cool! I got one as a group gift for my boss' newly adopted child. I almost didn't get to wrap it, though, because all my co-workers wanted to see it & play with it! The only problem that I have with it is the requirement that you tap the "green go" icon every time you switch pages. It's pretty hard for an adult to remember to do that, much less a small child.

The price here at Amazon seems a little steep. I've seen it for less.

The demo book that comes with it will not be enough. It contains materials aimed at all different levels (I guess to show you everything it can do), so most of the stuff will probably not be appropriate for your child right away. Get an add-on book to go with it.