LeapFrog Reveals Most Sought-After Toys For 2013 Holiday Season

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), the leader in educational entertainment, today revealed its 2013 top toys wish list, highlighting this year's award winners and hottest toys of the holiday season. This year's list includes the most innovative and engaging products of 2013, ranging from the ultimate kids' learning tablet and action-packed games and apps to a revolutionary new reading and writing system, a friendly plush puppy and a hot new app toy.

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"The award-winning LeapFrog products on this year's list will keep children of all ages engaged for hours as they explore new skills," said John Barbour, chief executive officer at LeapFrog. "Our talented team of designers and in-house learning experts worked closely during the development process to ensure every LeapFrog product is age-appropriate and delivers the highest-quality educational entertainment. We are extremely honored that this year's products have already received more than 60 awards globally from prestigious parenting and industry award organizations, in addition to recognition on our retail partners' hot toy lists. LeapFrog is a brand that parents trust and kids love, and there is no doubt in our minds that our products will be at the top of every child's wish list this holiday. With fewer shopping days this year, gift givers should start early to avoid disappointing that special child in their life."

"It is crucial to arm children with learning tools that help them build school skills early in life for future success," said Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos, manager of LeapFrog's Learning Team. "At LeapFrog, we believe kids learn best when they are entertained and engaged in the experience, and that learning should be continuous and go beyond the classroom. This year, LeapFrog's top toy wish list includes products that help children build comprehension skills and vocabulary, practice reading and writing, and encourage them to explore a variety of subjects such as science, technology, engineering and math, social studies and more. Gift givers will appreciate the variety of options on our holiday list and they can trust everything is age-appropriate and, most importantly, fun."

The Ultimate Kids' Tablet
LeapPad Ultra, the ultimate learning tablet for kids, is sure to top every child's wish list this season. Recommended by 97 percent of teachers to parents*, LeapPad Ultra is a new kid-tough tablet that works with an extensive library of more than 800 educational games, creativity apps, eBooks, videos, music and more, all designed or approved by LeapFrog's highly experienced team of in-house learning experts. LeapPad Ultra features a seven-inch high-resolution screen, a rechargeable battery, front and back cameras and video recorders and 8 GB of memory. LeapPad Ultra also features a kid-safe web content experience, LeapSearch™, created in partnership with Zui™, a leading children's browser developer. LeapSearch is kid-ready out of the box and delivers an experience that parents can trust.

LeapPad Ultra has been named a top item on major retailers' hot toy lists, and included on holiday lists such as Time to Play's "Most Wanted" and The Toy Insider's "Hot 20," and received nearly a dozen awards from prestigious toy industry organizations such as The National Association of Parenting Publications, the Parents' Choice Foundation, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and more (MSRP $149.99, for children 4 to 9 years old).

A Learning Library Filled with Stocking Stuffers
The LeapFrog learning library features more than 800 world-class games, apps, eBooks, videos, music and more, all designed or approved by LeapFrog's learning experts, and is filled with cartridge games that make the perfect stocking stuffers for every child and personality. This library is a combination of LeapFrog's top-quality educational entertainment and engaging content from the biggest names in children's entertainment, and is built against a proprietary curriculum of 2,600 skills across math, reading, science, creativity and more. Select games and apps automatically adjust the level to challenge children at just the right pace, creating a personalized learning experience as each child progresses through the content.

• In the new Sesame Street: Solve it with Elmo, Abby and Super Grover 2.0! game, children build problem solving skills as they play with their favorite characters.
• Hello Kitty: Sweet Little Shops encourages children to build math skills as they manage dessert shops, serve customers and meet new friends.
• Cooking: Recipes on the Road, another new game, also helps children build math skills as they are challenged to run the family food truck and follow recipes, assemble dishes, measure, mix, stack food and more.

LeapFrog learning games have received awards from prestigious organizations including Common Sense Media, the Parents' Choice Foundation, Dr. Toy, The National Parenting Center, Teacher's Choice and more (downloadable apps are MSRP $5.00 and up and game cartridges are MSRP $24.99).

A Tool That Builds School Skills
LeapReader, recommended by 98 percent of teachers as a way for parents to help young children build skills that are important for school success**, is the new, complete learn to read and write solution for children. LeapReader helps children build an early foundation for literacy and academic success. With LeapReader's three essential experiences – learn to read, learn to write and learn through listening – children sound out words and read sentences, write letters with interactive guidance, and develop listening skills, comprehension and imagination through audio books, music and more. All are available in the LeapReader library of more than 150 learning experiences.

LeapReader was named a "Top Tech 12" toy by The Toy Insider and has received awards from prestigious organizations including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, the Parents' Choice Foundation, Dr. Toy and The National Parenting Center (MSRP $49.99, for children 4 to 8 years old).

An Interactive Toy and Child's Best Friend
Read With Me Scout is the latest addition to LeapFrog's popular line of Scout learning products that includes interactive plush friends such as My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet, My Own Leaptop and Chat & Count Smart Phone toys, as well as popular DVDs such as Phonics Farm, Numberland and Adventures in Shapeville Park. Read With Me Scout responds with fun audio designed to reinforce the learning. Children simply press a button on the collar and choose one of five books. As the pal reads them the story aloud, children build comprehension skills and early vocabulary. They also learn about the relationship between print on a page and the story as they turn the pages and listen to 70+ spoken questions and audio responses.

Read With Me Scout has received awards from The National Association of Parenting Publications , the Parents' Choice Foundation, Dr. Toy and The National Parenting Center (MSRP $24.99, for children 2 to 5 years old).

An App Toy That Introduces Children to Writing
The Learn to Write with Mr. Pencil Stylus and Writing App is based on LeapFrog's popular Mr. Pencil character and introduces children to basic writing skills through more than 85 engaging activities. As they play interactive games and activities children practice writing letters, numbers and drawing shapes. The Mr. Pencil Stylus and Writing App is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

This new app toy has received awards from the Parents' Choice Foundation, Dr. Toy and The National Parenting Center (MSRP $14.99, for children 3 to 6 years old; app included with purchase and available for download in the iTunes Store; iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPod touch 4G and iPad sold separately).

LeapFrog understands that every child is unique and with its range of fun and engaging products, gift givers will find something to fit every personality this holiday, whether they are shopping for an adventurer, speed demon, artist or even a free spirit. For more inspiration, visit LeapFrog's easy-to-use gift guide at www.leapfrog.com/giftguide.  

Availability
The LeapPad Ultra tablet, LeapFrog learning library, LeapReader learn to read and write system, Read With Me Scout plush puppy and Learn to Write with Mr. Pencil Stylus and Writing App are available online and at major retail locations. For more information, visit www.leapfrog.com.

About LeapFrog
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is the leader in educational entertainment for children. LeapFrog's award-winning product portfolio helps millions of children achieve their potential by delivering best-in-class curriculum through engaging content, fun multimedia learning platforms and toys.  Through the power of play, LeapFrog's products and curriculum help children of all ages prepare for school and life success. LeapFrog's products are available in more than 45 countries and have been used by teachers in more than 100,000 U.S. classrooms.  LeapFrog is based in Emeryville, California, and was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Come see the learning at www.leapfrog.com.  

TM & © 2013 LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

* Results based on a 2013 survey conducted by LeapFrog and Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine of 328 U.S. Kindergarten teachers who received LeapPad Ultra tablets and LeapFrog Learning Library content for non-classroom examination through LeapFrog's LeapPad Ultra Teacher Insights Study.

**Results based on a 2013 survey conducted by LeapFrog and Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine of 304 U.S. Kindergarten teachers who received LeapReader Learning Systems and LeapReader Library content for non-classroom examination through LeapFrog's LeapReader Teacher Insights Study.

SOURCE LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.