LeapFrog Reveals this Season's Must-Have Learning Toys

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), the leader in award-winning educational entertainment, takes the guesswork out of holiday shopping for parents with the release of its Top Holiday Toy List. LeapFrog's 2011 learning products have received more than 25 accolades from influential industry, education and consumer organizations. The LeapFrog Top Holiday Toy List reflects these champions and other sure-to-be-favorites this season.

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"Our in-house educational experts ensure that each LeapFrog product has a curricular foundation that delivers the skills children need for school success, combined with entertainment that engages children for hours of fun as they learn," said John Barbour, chief executive officer of LeapFrog.  "This season's products help children achieve their full potential by delivering solidly on this promise."

THE HOTTEST NEW KIDS' LEARNING TABLET

LeapPad™, the personalized learning tablet for kids, has been a hit since launching this summer. Starting with a pre-sale sellout, it has continued to gain momentum with consumers. LeapPad's built-in camera, video recorder and microphone expand LeapFrog's traditional curriculum with new ways to encourage learning, creativity and exploration.  LeapPad is also a hot product among retailers, and continues to be named on holiday retail lists including Wal-Mart's "Top 20," Toys"R"Us' "Fabulous 15" and Kmart's "Fab 15." (MSRP of $99.99 USD, ages 4-9)

A STOCKING FULL OF GAMES

LeapPad's unique features are showcased in Ultra eBooks and Story Studio apps exclusive to this new kids' learning tablet:

Ultra eBooks are animated, in-depth book experiences that teach key reading skills in compelling stories. Every Ultra eBook is multi-leveled and the text automatically adjusts to each child's learning pace. Kids can even record their own narration of the story and play it back. LeapFrog will have seven Ultra eBooks by the end of the year including Disney·Pixar "Cars 2" and the newly released Disney Princess "Cinderella."

Story Studio apps let children put their own pictures, artwork, writing and voice recordings into books they can share. The new "Pirates & Aliens" and "Princesses & Mermaids" Story Studio apps immerse children in the plot of the story and help them understand how storylines progress through a beginning, middle and end.  (Apps range from $5 - $20 MSRP, ages 4-9)

Apps are not the sum of the LeapPad experience. The learning tablet shares a cartridge game library with the Leapster Explorer™ handheld (2011 Toy Industry Association Educational Toy of the Year award winner). By year-end, LeapPad's library will number more than 100 learning apps and cartridge games including popular characters, like those in "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Clam Prix." This lively kart racing adventure lets kids dodge obstacles and navigate the game course as they practice letter identification, phonics skills and word recognition. (Cartridge games are priced at $24.99 MSRP, ages 4-9)

BOOKS AND BEYOND

LeapFrog's learning legacy is in reading, and continues to expand as it introduces pre-readers to the building blocks of words in the Tag™ Junior Ready to Read Book Set. Children can't help singing along with LeapFrog characters Al, Meg, Izzy, Og and Gus while learning short vowel sounds.  (MSRP of $14.99, ages 2-4)

LeapFrog is also taking Tag™, the #1 selling reading system(1), beyond books:

Kids can blast into outer space with the new Tag Solar System Adventure Pack.  This full-color, two-sided interactive map includes a planet-hopping board game and activities to help kids learn more about the night sky.  (MSRP of $13.99, ages 4-8)  

Learn to Write & Draw with Mr. Pencil™ provides step-by-step guidance for both left- and right-handed writers as they follow the LeapFrog characters Dot and Dash through letter-writing adventures. Starting with horizontal and vertical lines, the challenge gradually increases as kids move on to diagonals and circles. Workbooks give extra practice and interactive stickers reinforce writing achievements. (MSRP of $19.99, ages 4-7)

A TOY FOR EVERY TODDLER

Nothing sparks holiday joy like children's laughter. LeapFrog toys deliver big on fun and preschool preparedness by teaching core skills while encouraging imagination. The award-winning Peek-a-Shoe™ Talking Octopus combines exciting ball drop play with lift-up peek-a-boo shoes, encouraging motor skill development while teaching numbers, colors and counting through audio responses and fun music. (MSRP of $29.99, ages 6-36 months)

My Own Story Time Pad is the latest addition to a line of toys featuring My Pal Scout, the #1 stand-alone toy line in the Preschool Electronics Learning Toy category. This age-appropriate pretend tablet encourages exploration of letters through fun animations and lets parents personalize play by customizing stories and "emails", and choosing from an online playlist of popular LeapFrog songs. (MSRP of $29.99, ages 2-4)

Visit www.leapfrog.com for more product information and availability.

About LeapFrog

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is an education innovator and a leading developer of educational entertainment for children. LeapFrog's award-winning product portfolio is designed to help every child achieve their full potential by delivering best-in-class curriculum through engaging and age-appropriate technology-based platforms and toys. The Learning Path, LeapFrog's proprietary online destination for parents and extended family, provides personalized feedback on a child's learning progress and offers product recommendations to enhance each child's learning experience. Through the power of play, LeapFrog's products and curriculum help children of all ages prepare for life and academic 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 & Copyright © 2011 LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(1) NPD Group / Consumer Tracking Service; Pre-School Electronic Learning, Reading System brands in Dollars, Annual 2010 (excluding gaming systems).

SOURCE LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.