Editorial Review

From Wumps to Mr. Gump to Zeds to flying kites in bed, Dr. Seuss's One Fish, Two Fish is probably one of the more well-worn books in any child's bookcase. And now 21st Century kids can move one step beyond reading this classic…to interacting with it! LeapPad's microphone-enhanced book and cartridge allows first-grade readers to practice word building, phonics, rhyming, and reading fluency, all to a musical accompaniment. This abridged version of Seuss's picture book fits into most LeapPad portable units. Youngsters use the "magic pen" to point to words and pictures to make them come to life, or to initiate games and activities, including some that allow them to hear themselves reading aloud! Kids will have so much fun, they won't even realize they're learning a thing or two! --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Super Blocks for Building and Learning
My daughter is almost 2. She has had these blocks for several months, and enjoys playing with them, stacking them, throwing them, and trying to name the pictures. So far the dog isn't attracted to them.

These blocks have great pictures and clear letters. I agree, however, with another reviewer's comments regarding M/W and some of the word choices, but in general they are great. So, we'll just have to explain somehow what Ink is. I'll bet we can do it.

I particularly like that the block holding tray is durable, and that the dimensions of the box allow for extra room (2 blocks worth) to make re-packing easy.

The blocks are a nice size, and the size and shape remain consistent between the blocks for easy stacking. I have not found any rough edges or splinters. So far the pictures have held up well.

These are high quality blocks that should be a satisfying toy for several years to come.

Awesome, Safe Block Set
We bought these toys when our daughter was 10months old, for her first christmas. She just loves them. She also recieved some of the old-fashioned "carved" blocks with the letters cut into them. Unlike these, she quickly chewed the paint off of some of the old-fashoined blocks. She has chomped on these pretty hard and they seem to put up with it with little damage. She bangs them together, chews on them and occationally stacks them. Though they are recommended for older children, i think we made a nice choice as she will be able to play with these for years in many different ways as her skills develop. Also, they are bigger than the standard blocks, so i dont worry about anything and she should be able to manipulate them a little earlier.

Nice blocks, but two quibbles
We ordered these when we realized that our 2-year old had just about learned the ABCs already, and we thought these would be good for reinforcement as well as good old block-piling fun.

Our child loved them immediately and called out letters while pulling each block from the sturdy wooden tray that the blocks come in. The blocks are made from an attractive wood and the grain shows through nicely behind the letters and the pictures associated with each letter, that fill four of the six faces. We consider it a definite plus that each block shows the upper and lowercase form of each letter. We also like the fact that these are small enough for little hands, but big enough to give to a 2-year-old without worrying about a choking hazard.

One quibble: the blocks are not designed to provide any cues as to vertical orientation, either for letters or illustrations. The reason this matters is that the capital-M has spreading legs, which makes it basically *identical* in appearance to the capital-W, when either letter is upside down. It should have been possible to design the M with vertical sides, which would have reduced confusion and would teach the letter "M" in a form more likely to be found in other settings. Similar confusion applies to the lower-case "L" and upper-case "I", which look identical.

Quibble #2: some of the letter-related words that illustrate each block seem oddly chosen. For instance, "Ink" for the letter "I" -- how likely is it that a 21st century child will encounter an old-fashioned ink bottle anytime soon? Perhaps the problem comes because some letters are not used to begin many words familiar to toddlers, but across the 26 letters in the set, we find quite a few illustrations and vocabulary words that we don't think will be much help to our child learning the alphabet, or be useful in everyday speech later on.

Finally, an unknown: durability. Since these are brand new, we can't say, but the letters are painted onto the surface of smooth, flat blocks -- not cut into the wood, like some old-fashioned block designs. That makes these more attractive for now, but we suspect the paint will probably chip or wear off somewhat more rapidly. That's just a guess.

All in all, we are pleased with this set. We had been looking for something like this for a while, with no luck. So I suspect that it may be hard to find blocks that accomplish all the same things these do (uppercase, lowercase, word associations, size, attractiveness) without any of the quibbles raised here. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Five Year Old Son With Autism Loves It
We had bought the entry-level Leap Frog Pad for our son (five years old) who has autism, but he ignored the thing for months until the release of Dr. Seuss' "Wocket." His fine motor skills are not good, so it was INCREDIBLE to see him using the pen properly to touch the "Go" button when first turning a page (I showed him how but the book itself also offers an automatic prompt upon turning on the pad). This is a BIG deal (parents of children with autism will understand this), and I have never seen him using a pointing device or pen like this.He likes Thomas the Tank Engine but did not take to the book for the pad (this is probably because we read Seuss so much and he is fanatical about Seuss while Thomas is more of a video-watching activity).I only gave this product 4 stars since one needs to flip over the book to finish the story, and that is problematic for my son. I know they save money by utilizing both sides of a book page, but the makers should rethink this since beginner-age users (normally developing or not) may have trouble doing this.Once again, my recommendation is aimed at parents of children with autism and/or difficulty with fine motor skills, and of course, it will depend on whether he or she is so "motivated" by Seuss, but there are other pad books (Bob the Builder, Thomas, Dora). Seuss just happened to work for my son. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A good time for your future restauranteur
My 6yo son got this toy for Christmas in conjunction with the drive-through set, and while it doesn't fit on the surface of that toy very well, it's a great pretend "restaurant" set-up. I was really amazed that the cash register actually is a working calculator! And of course, little kids love wearing the hat and earpiece - it looks so cute on! The one big complaint I'd have is the quality of the play money. There are 2 sets of one quarter, one dime, and one nickel all glued together, and a fake $1, $5, and $10 bill each. One each! And they're glued to the package and they tear when you try to take them out! The little plastic sundae looked almost good enough to eat! One caveat: Make sure to not lose the key to the cash register drawer, or else it's impossible to lock or unlock it. I recommend supplementing this with some fake toy money if you're trying to teach your child about counting money, but it's still a very high-functioning, fun, and realistic toy that my son really enjoys and plays with a lot.

Dial 'M' for McDonalds
My 4 year old nephew thoroughly enjoyed this toy, the fake fries and money keeping him occupied for hours on end... especially when he picked up the phrase "Would you like fries with that?" How we laughed... until he'd said it 10 times in a row which is when we wondered if we had made the right decision in buying this for the little tyke - especially seeing as he was getting more spotty and developing greasy hair!

All in all, it kept him quiet - so 4 stars for that; 1 star from me though as it made us feel old before our years and suddenly realised that this is what he may be doing in 14 years time...

Durable but age endearing!

Very Appropriate for Your Son or Daughter
Raising little Tommy Tucker in the midst of today's evolving social ethos can be quite the daunting task, most likely leaving no time for the proper nuclear parenting once thought necessary to cultivate successful, well-adjusted progeny. As late 20th century single-parent households transition into post-families ubiquitously networked through wireless electronics and databased personalities, you're going to need every advantage you can get if you want to keep your bloodline flourishing among the finest of neo-Capitalist aristocracy.

Boom. It's McDonald's Cash Register by Creative Designs. Unpack it, load up some Ritalin, and let your kid rip in the basement while you take care of the day's online shopping and personal networking safely out of earshot. Not only will he or she be thrilled to the gills to wear a McDonald's visor and headset at such an early age, but he or she will be learning a valuable trade geared towards a corporation rooted so deep in today's global lexicon it practically defines the entire 20th century collective consciousness. McDonald's is one of the few certainties we have in an otherwise volatile bank of career paths to choose from, and while defunct silicon valley VC mongers till their own economic graves wondering which hand to hold a spatula with, little Tommy Tucker will be slaving away in your basement flipping McPlastic for the cat and equipping himself with two of the most eternally relevant skillsets of all: tolerance and practical resignation. The very foundations of America's service industry.

Appropriately, McDonald's Cash Register by Creative Designs quickly sacks your son or daughter's imagination and in its place instills a solid work ethic coaxed into shape by a steady flow of fake cash and fries. (Though somewhat Pavlovian, this metamorphosis will be extremely efficient if you hide real burger grease in the register once a week). Creative Designs takes a naturalistic approach by grotesquely distorting speech through an industrial grade intercom attached to the headset, squandering any remote chance of filling a pretend order properly. Countless times I have been asked if I would like fries to go with my order of fries; countless times I have been welcomed to McDonald's and prompted for my order after clearly ordering a Double Cheeseburger, a 4 pc McNugget and an ice water.

Creative Designs makes no bones about not sugar coating your son's or daughter's playtime with impractical toys or heightened senses of reality; their McDonald's Cash Register will bring to your home the truly thankless process of ordering and serving fast food to loved ones-turned strangers while preparing your son or daughter for a future filled with certainty and stability. You'll love seeing them smile.

cutest order taker
My 2 1/2 year old son LOVES this toy. He knows it is in grandma's toy box and as soon as we go visit, he runs straight for it and puts the head piece on and just waits for us to tell him what we want. It is good for listening and memory as he awaits our order, and there are enough pieces that you never seem to run out of variations when ordering, and then he presents them on the tray which he calls the table. The pieces are all big enough so there is no danger of choking, and the drawer opening and the noise when you run the credit card through just help make it a little more realistic.

A look a like
Me and my cousin, Jamere couldn't wait to get th Mcdonald Cash register. We spend $... for nothing, at first it was cute ,but quickly it became boring. Only neat thing about it was the play food. Usually Jamere and I would agure about who is going to be the cashier, but we sent most of are time aguring about who can be the cook. So don't buy this item, if you want to spend your dayz bored and sitting in front of a Televison all Day. The Barbie and Auto Cash Register are worth a pretty penny, but i'll buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Mommy's little helper......
My three year old got this for Christmas and she loves it. It helps with colors and shapes. It even has a little addition. One part has your child count all the books on a page, another has different types of vehicles, and yet another teaches open and closed. Also there is actually a story about Clifford. I thought my daughter would get bored but she hasn't even asked to open one of the other books she got yet. There isn't a spot on a page that doesn't do something. My daughter has had to learn how to be gentle though. The pages are tough but not three year old proof. ... Read more

Editorial Review

These cats and kittens are just like all cats and kittens. MomKatrina is finicky about cleanliness, son Branson loves to play,daughter Amelia is a champ at finding secret hiding places (where,we're sure, she sits purring until discovered), and father Sebastian isa patient sort of pussy who works (where else?) at the local dairyfarm. A quartet of posable, petite kitties (Sebastian, the tallest, isjust over 3 inches), the Calico Critters Whiskers Cats are toysdesigned by someone who did some thinking about how real kids play.They're made of durable plastic and covered with a layer of fuzzy, softfur. Their paws can be posed, their heads turned, and they can stand orsit with equal ease. Their clothes are designed with Velcro andelastic, so little people can get them on and off without destroyingthem. And there are scads of well-designed accessories available. Ifyour child's at that age where little tiny things have great bigappeal, the Calico Critters are a terrific place to start. They'll keepyou (and the kids) going for a long time. --Julie Ubben ... Read more

Reviews (2)

3 YR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER LOVES IT!
I purchased the Whiskers cat family and a Birthday Party Set for my 3 yr. old granddaughter for Christmas. She loves to carry around small items either in purses or bags or just in her hands. My son informed me a few days ago that she really loves this item. She sets them up for "tea parties" and talks to them and seems to have them with her constantly. I was surprised at how tiny the accessories were and don't think they would be wise to have around if there are toddlers or small children who might put them in their mouths. Other than that they are very cute and since my granddaughter received many gifts, this tiny cat family must be pretty special for them to be her "chosen" companions.

Calico Critters - AKA The return of Sylvanian Families in US
The whiskers cat family, simply put are the most adorable little animal dolls you're likely to run across. All Calico Critters families have an average height of about 3.5 inches (adults are larger than children & baby sets) . They are covered in a soft downy flocking, are pose-able, and highly detailed. Each family member comes with a removable outfit, with detail & care sewn in. Bright colors, Velcro fastens, ribbon ties, and tiny buttons & lace all add to the charm of their clothing. Children will have hours of fun with all the houses, furniture, and accessories that can be bought. Sets teach kids hand eye coordination (so many miniatures to interact and use) social interaction, Family structure, and creativity. Older individuals can appreciate these detailed miniatures as well. Calico Critters are actually from an older toy line many might recall from the 80's, called "Sylvanian Families". Epoch (maker of both), has started sales again, under a new name in the states. Same old lovable families, with new names. However, the sylvanians of the 80's have been retired in this line (SF is still sold in JP and UK), and replaced with entirely new animals. Let your collecting start up where it left off in the 80s! They're back!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Motor and Sharing Skills
For help with fine motor skills, this toy can't be beat. It's attractive and easy to use. It is also light, which can't be underestimated, because it is 1) portable in its handy lidded plastic jar and 2) unlikely to do damage to household items and pets (think about the heavy wooden alternative). However, after mastering it and making a few loops, my child found it boring and I also found that the foam had an odd smell. Share this with a friend or, better yet, donate it to a school. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well worth it!
I bought two of these for my 2- and 4-year-old boys. It's one of the few toys used daily. Saved me alot of wall scrubbing.

WOW - What a great Idea!
I cant believe how convenient this toy is - my son loves to draw pictures and play with magnets on both sides of this board. I told the pre-school teacher about it and she bought three for her classroom! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Calico Critters - aka Sylvanian Families (remember them?)
These rabbits are SO CUTE! All Calico Critters families have an average height of about 3.5 inches (adults are larger than children & baby sets) . They are covered in a soft downy flocking, are pose-able, and highly detailed. Each family member comes with a removable outfit, with detail & care sewn in. Bright colors, Velcro fastens, ribbon ties, and tiny buttons & lace all add to the charm of their clothing. Children will have hours of fun with all the houses, furniture, and accessories that can be bought. Sets teach kids hand eye coordination (so many miniatures to interact and use) social interaction, Family structure, and creativity. Older individuals can appreciate these detailed miniatures as well. Calico Critters are actually from an older toy line many might recall from the 80's, called "Sylvanian Families". Epoch (maker of both), has started sales again, under a new name in the states. Same old lovable families, with new names. However, the sylvanians of the 80's have been retired in this line (SF is still sold in JP and UK), and replaced with entirely new animals.

Their only downside is the fuzz/flocking. With gentle - normal play, they'll hold up for years and years. However anyone with a child going through a "rough and tumble" destructive phase, may find out that the fur can rub off if heavily scrubbed &scratched. Consider these an indoor toy, and not really intended for rough, outdoor play, or extended bathtub play.

Calico Critters
Calico critters are really really cute! They are soft and fuzzy and come in many little animals-chipmunks, squirrels, cats, dogs, and lots more. I don't own a house, but I just think that having the critters is enough. I have a whole box of them that I collect.
These are great toys. I encourage you to buy them-for gifts, for you, for whatever! ... Read more

Editorial Review

This Colorforms Dress-Up Activity Set helps teach two crucial things that are often difficult for kids to learn: taking turns and coordination. Each player begins with a shiny cardboard character wearing a swimsuit and in desperate need of fashion assistance. The object of the game is to assemble a fabulous Colorforms outfit for your character. Spin the spinner for type of clothing--shoes, skirt or pants, shirt, purse, glasses, necklace, or hat.Pick out the piece that's just right and place it on your character--it sticks like magic! The first person to complete an ensemble wins the game. No reading is required, so once kids understand the rules they can play independently. --Lisa Whipple ... Read more

Reviews (11)

good concept but....
Bought this for my 2 and 3 year old children at Christmas. My daughter likes it better than her older brother.

It's a game, but she just likes to dress up the cardboard figures.

Personally, I hate the small colorform pieces. They tend to get lost very easily. The cardboard doll stands fell apart after 2 uses.

Good toy for the price.
I tried to find regular colorforms and couldn't. This is a good game for the money, but the clothes don't stick on very well. Although the pieces are colorful, cute and durable.

WE LOVE THIS GAME
I have played this game with all my neices and nephews, from 2 1/2 to 7yrs. All the kids love it and a great game that doesnt really make a mess. Kids sit still and are entertained. I am on my 2nd game now cause I had to give the first one to a niece and bought it for several kids. I Can't say enough good things about this game, although its really getting hard to find in the stores lately.

This is a fun game for little girls
This game was so fun, we bought it twice. The first one was played for a long time, and when it was finally too far gone, my daughter wanted another one. Very fun!!!!!!!!

2 & 4 year old love it!
My 4 year old loves to play this with me the "right" way and my 2 year old loves to dress up the dolls. My 4 year old is a boy and he doesn't seem to mind that all the clothes and dolls are "girls." There are shorts so I just say one is a boy with long hair, but he doesn't care about gender one bit. You can get a lot out of this game b/c the little ones can play dress up while the older ones actually play the game. It is a lot of fun and we love that winning is based on chance not skill. It gives a lot of skill building in fine motor skills putting the clothes on the bodies. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great first toy for child to learn addition!
I think this toy is very fun, educational, durable and a great value for the money. The pieces are made of thick cardboard and have great pictures on them! I really like the fact that the pieces fit together and a child can really begin to understand the concepts of addition and subtraction by counting the cute pictures that they put on the pieces. Another great feature is that you fit 2 pieces together for addition and when you flip it over it has subraction on the other side. For instance, you have "2 + 2 =4" and then when you flip the "2 + 2" piece over it will have "5 - 1" and then the answer is still 4. It shows how different addition and subtraction equations have the same answer.

Definitely a great value and a fun first toy to introduce addition & subtraction! It isn't frustrating and since it is a puzzle, kids think that it is fun too! I was very happy to see pictures on the pieces like ladybugs, cookies, ice cream cones, etc.... It made it more fun for my son to look at and count the objects! Even if a child doesn't know the answer, he can match up the pictures on the answer piece w/ the pictures on the equation piece and get the right answer. It sets them up to succeed each time so it makes it fun to learn!!!! ... Read more

Product Description

With this complete set of sharks, whales, fish, and octopus, kids can turn their imaginative play area into a deep sea wonderland. The outstanding details and realistic painting of the set allow them to develop their own beneficial storytelling play. The durable and high-quality solid plastic material could survive years of play. The whole set is sold in a colorful handy plastic carry case . ... Read more

Reviews (1)

sealife carry case
The item is wonderful for children with emagenation.It comes with
an orca,wich reminds me of free willy,another whale,one of the larger ones,an octopus,
colerful fish,three sharks,dolphins,seals,a pink plant,and turtle.
Just what a child needs for playing in a tube or pool.
And can be carried in the case to a friends house.
Not only for playing but for learning.
Even me myself says its good for playing and the children love it
.And can you beet the price?I think not.
Its worth it.A undersea wonderland. ... Read more