Story Reader Video Plus
© 2006 Publications International, Ltd.
9/9/2010 Discontinued. This year, there are two new versions of last year's successful Story Reader from Publications International—My First Story Reader for toddlers and preschoolers (see review) and Story Reader Video Plus--the standard Story Reader with the added ability to plug into a TV. When used alone, Story Reader Video Plus reads each page automatically with clear speech through either a built in speaker or headphones (not included in the price). When plugged into the TV, the sound comes from the TV speaker, and an animated version of the page appears on the screen—each word highlighted as it is read aloud. At any time, children can flip the magnet-embedded page to interrupt the narration and advance through the story, increasing a child's feelings of control and making this an effective causal link between the print in a book and images on a TV screen. In fact, this is the best connection between paper-based books and a TV or computer screen we've seen. But wait, there's more. A small plastic game controller unsnaps from the front lid and is used to play five simple games like hunting for words in a story (in either a playground, Antarctic or Rain Forest), completing short words, or a game of concentration where pictures and words are matched. While the games are very limited in design, they are fun and do a nice job embedding some basic reading drill in a game setting. Other features include a Volume Control button and an AC adapter plug. The base unit comes with a 21-page spiral bound "Alphabet Adventure" book by Barbara Egel with a clever story line and excellent cartoon-like narration. Additional titles are available for $12.99 and include Dora the Explorer, Elmo, Scooby Doo, and Thomas the Tank Engine. Note that this Story Reader is not backward compatible with older Story Reader software (the cartridges are larger) which limits the amount of content for this new platform. The device is powered by four AA batteries or an optional AC adapter. See www.storyreader.com
$35, Smart Toy, TV based Game
Teaches: early literacy, pre-reading, language immersion
CTR Rating: 84%