LeapStart
© 2016 LeapFrog
LeapStart (formally known as the LeapPad) is the 2016 edition of the popular electronic workbook reader first released by Leapfrog in 1999. It represents a viable stand-alone, non-tablet, non-Wi-Fi interactive school readiness option for preschool and early elementary-age children. There are some important differences to this year's two models to note. First, don't get them confused with the older green plastic LeapPads that look very similar, and have now been around for nearly two decades. LeapStart operates on a very different technology. The pen has a tiny camera in it's tip, and the ink on the paper is encoded with dots ("dotted media"). So it's visual instead of electromagnetic. You no longer need to match a cartridge to the book, however you may need to plug in an included USB cable to download fresh content to match future books from Leapfrog's online store. And this requires making an account. So be sure to understand that all the older LeapPad books might look compatible, but they won't work on this system. There are two editions of LeapStart -- one for Preschool (with a fatter stylus) and one for Kindergarten & 1st Grade which we reviewed. Each is compatible with the new LeapStart activity book library. The starter set is $40, and you can purchase 16 additional books for $13 each. LeapFrog (who was purchased last fall by Hong Kong based VTech) is hopping back in time to the golden days of the best-selling LeapPad (as in the cartridge based book reader). Runs on 2 AA batteries (included). The stylus is responsive, but fat and clumsy to hold, in part because it is tethered with a rigid but durable cable. The books are smaller and can be hard to snap into place, and the overall case is thicker and less graceful than previous LeapPads. We also noted that some of the curriculum is also less graceful, with a slightly too chatty narrator and less fluid leveling. These are all minor issues.
$40, LeapPad, Smart Toy
Teaches: school readiness, phonics, reading, math
CTR Rating: 86%