Counting Pal
© 2000 LeapFrog
The best of the two recent counting toys (the other is Counting Cat), this plastic yellow caterpillar can be pulled along by a string for a counting song. It's got 10 moveable sneaker feet, each one representing a number and color. Depending on the caterpillar's settings, toddlers and preschoolers can press a foot to hear a color or number, or can press a number to hear the caterpillar count. If the child presses "4" for example, the caterpillar says, "1, 2, 3, 4." There's a +/- switch on the bug's back that we just couldn't figure out, but otherwise the toy is well-designed and responsive to children's actions. Parents will particularly appreciate the volume control found in the battery compartment. (This product is sold by both LeapFrog and LeapFrog School House.)
$15.49, Smart Toy
Teaches: counting, numbers (1-10), colors