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In our house, books probably outnumber all other things. We love to read and be read to. Books usurp cuddly toys as a chosen bedtime companion and nothing makes for a more peaceful car ride than when we’re listening to an Audiobook. So, with the biggest Little Hines at school and preschool respectively and the importance of reading gathering pace as a real life skill, I was looking for something that would further their enthusiasm and love for books.
Cue their pal Buddy! We all know modern day kids love their interactivity, creating an added dimension to their reading experience. Storytime Buddy from Leapfrog incorporates everything kids love, from the cute, soft furry toy they get to snuggle, to the numerous buttons and touch points he inhibits. The moment Buddy came out of his box my kids were enamoured with him and eager to find out what each icon and button would elicit from the talking dog.
Buddy comes with a collection of five simple stories that touch on emotions, colours, shapes, numbers and opposites. All fundamental areas to grow a child’s learning. The kids absolutely love taking it in turns to press one of the colourful buttons on Buddy’s collar to initiate his narration of the corresponding tale. Inspired by Buddy’s comment at the end of each story as to what he has taken away from it, we sit and talk about the stories once we’ve heard them and because the children’s minds and want to learn have been ignited by Buddy they are truly engaged in the experience. More than just a reading tool, Buddy inspires the early tools of comprehension.
Buddy also features a night time setting, located on the paw featuring a moon and stars. Once pressed he offers to read a bedtime story (one of the five little books featuring him and his friends) while his badge emits a colourful night light glow and after the story is over Buddy plays an instrumental lullaby.
Another great thing about Buddy is that once he is reading the chosen story, he won’t divert from it even if little hands press a different button. Speaking of other buttons, the ‘abc’ on Buddy’s paw offers up letters and their corresponding words, eg. T is for Tall, while the book icon on his back paw directs questions designed to make children think about the world around them, eg. why do firemen wear heavy coats? or have you ever gone on a hike?
Storytime Buddy is the perfect gift to give your kids this Christmas, particularly with the lengthy school holidays providing oodles of time to further their skills and enjoyment of reading.
LeapFrog Storytime Buddy $59.95 is available at Big W, Target, good toy stores and online retailers.
For further information on LeapFrog and its products, visit www.leapfrog.com.au , or check out the LeapFrog news on FacebookLeapFrogAustralia and Instagram Leapfrogofficial.