Squawkers McCaw
© 2007 Hasbro, Inc.
We're usually skeptical about the overall value of robotic toys. That's because they have a significant novelty effect with children that fades quickly, often earlier then the first set of batteries. That's not the case with this plush parrot, who is stuffed with some pretty impressive technology. Squawkers McCaw can move, talk and respond to light, but he's also a sensitive digital recorder that can sample three seconds of sound, modulate it up a notch to sound like a parrot—and spit it back to you through a clear onboard speaker. It's this potential that transforms Squawkers into a potential prop for nonverbal children, so early childhood teachers, take note. Squawkers has touch, light and sound sensors in his head, plus he snores when he is asleep. He dances to external music, turns his head in response to a plastic cracker, and has a repeat mode, where he can pick up simple phrases such as, "You're so cute." Squawkers has eyes that blink very quickly, and unique hinging feet that can support the parrot on any flat surface, or on a plastic branch; both firsts for any robotic toy, according to Richard Maddocks, the Sr. Engineer for Hasbro's FurReal line. Our testers especially liked the programming ability best of all. Using a remote control, you can create voice commands to link a phrase like "Hi Squawkers" with "Howdy human, welcome to Mediatech" (or any other phrase you want to say). You can also link six buttons up to short phrases, so that Squawkers can say an entire paragraph of programmed speech. Of course, that could theoretically include some salty language, because this is a completely open-ended process. When it is dark, Squawkers he snores for a short period of time and then says “good night” in order to save the 4 AA batteries, plus two more AAA's for the remote. The switches are hidden behind a Velcro flap in the back. Repeat after me: this parrot is pretty cool.
$70, smart toy
Teaches: programming, oral language, speech therapy
CTR Rating: 90%