Jett loves music.  He loves to sing along (in his Minion language) and dance to pretty much any song he hears.  One of his favorite kids songs is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  This is the first song he’s actually started singing (as close as he can) real words to, so when we opened up his brand new LeapFrog Read with me Scout, he was so excited when the first button he pushed started playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

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LeapFrog Read with me Scout comes with the cute plush green dog that your little one loves, plus five board books, and an instruction manual.  The books have brightly colored pictures, and Jett like when Scout makes the animal sounds.  This system is for ages 2-4 years old.

He’s simple to use, so my boys can read a story with Jett if I’m not around.    It’s a welcomed addition to the rest of our LeapFrog toys.

Story Mode

Turn Scout to Story Mode and choose the book you want to read.  Push the corresponding number on his collar.  He will confirm that you have the correct book by describing the color and picture on the book for you (because toddlers can’t read!).   If you take too long, Scout will choose a book to read on his own and he’ll say “Pat my head if you have this book in front of you, ” after he describes a book.

I love that he gives directions throughout the story having you pat his cheek or head when you’re ready.  Sometimes, he changes it up and says “touch something orange” repetitively, which helps little ones learn their colors as well.

In story mode, on one paw, there is a music button that plays upbeat, educational, and fun music!  On the other paw, there is a blue bone button that says fun phrases like “Hi” and “Let’s play!”

Sleepy Time Mode

In this mode, Scout’s volume is a little quieter, and you he doesn’t give directives, so that your little one can just listen to the story.  At the end of the story, he will ask you for a hug.

In Sleepy Time Mode,  Jett’s favorite button to push is the music button that plays Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and other bedtime music.   On another paw, the bone button says “good night” and other night time phrases.

The 5 colorfully illustrated board books teach:
    1) Rhyming—helps children learn about the sounds of language and build phonological awareness,
    2) Learn-about—learn about the world through reading and recognize how print carries meaning,
    3) Narrative—learn about how stories are put together, with characters, settings, and a sequence of events,
    4) Pattern—learn with rhymes, refrains and repetition to predict what comes next, and
    5) Concept—explore concepts like colors to label and classify new information.

This is a great, affordable ($34.99)toy to add to your Christmas list for your toddler this year!  I’ve added him to my 2013 Christmas Gift Guide, because it’s an definitely Santa worthy!

Disclosure:  I was given a sample of Read with me Scout as part of a promotional program with LeapFrog and MomSelect.