Standing Talk Back Ben and Standing Talk Back Tom
© 2012 Cuddle Barn
Like an electronic parrot, these 12 inch plush toy were inspired by the Talk Back Ben (and Tom) apps. The toys have an internal microphones and can repeat your words in a slightly-morphed voice. Note that these are not the first "Talking-Tom" types of plush toys we've reviewed but this is the best to date because the the microphone is sensitive, and the voice is clear. In addition, Ben's lips move. This type of toy could be used to help children practice verbalizing, as a fun reinforcement activity. After you toggle a switch on the bottom of a foot to the on position, you can press a button in the front paw to wake Ben. Providing you have 3 AA batteries installed (included), he'll wake up and greet you. You can then wait for the red light in his chest and make any noise. The red light will blink to show it's recording. Then Ben will repeat any sound in the room, rather accurately, as his lips move. To turn him off, you can press Ben's paw, or he'll go into sleep mode after 5 minutes of inactivity, after a bit of snoring. This is one of two app-inspired echo toys... the other is Standing Talk Back Tom. According to press materials, these toys were created by Sound n Light Animatronics and distributed only by Cuddle Barn in the U.S. See also Talking Tom Talk Back (CTR September 2012) sold by Dragon-i Toys.
$35, Smart Toy
Teaches: language, oral feedback, vocalization, verbal feedback
CTR Rating: 90%