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My First Story Reader

(2006, Smart Toy - Educational, Rated EC, Play it on: My First Story Reader)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 2.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Excellent addition to a toddler's reading library.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 2 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Additional stories need to be purchased. Books include popular characters, such as Pooh.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of My First Story Reader was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that this interactive reader not only lets kids hear stories and music, but also allows them to interact with the book. It could help parents learn new ways to their kids. It comes with three stories, but parents will have to buy additional book sets (some of which include popular characters, such as Pooh). Families might want to consider this type of reader if they have older siblings that want to interact with toddlers.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the stories they're reading to their kids. Parents can watch how their kids use the reader, then replicate some of those same methods when they read stories the old-fashioned way.
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More on My First Story Reader

What’s the Story?

With MY FIRST STORY READER, parents or caregivers of children under age 3 can participate in a multimedia story-reading session. The reader is a clamshell-shaped unit that measures roughly 9 by 9 inches. When opened, the plastic unit has an indentation in which to securely place plastic-covered cardboard books. The unit comes with three interchangeable Baby Einstein books: Discover Colors, Discover Music and Discover the Sky.

When a parent places a book inside the reader, it automatically reads aloud any pages that are open; the Baby Einstein books are accompanied by classical music and end with a sing-along song. Kids can add sound effects by pushing one of three large, geometrically shaped, colored buttons beneath the book. The unit offers a second mode of play: By pushing a switch, kids can hear questions about things on the opened pages of the book. Children respond by hitting the requested button; the unit adjusts for kids who don't know their colors or shapes yet.

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Is It Any Good?

My First Story Reader can help first-time parents learn how to read to their children. It also allows older siblings to help entertain and interact with younger brothers and sisters. This is a less expensive alternative to Fisher Price's PowerTouch Baby or Leapfrog's LittleTouch LeapPad, two interactive reading systems that respond to touches on the page.

Since babies and toddlers constantly touch objects on the page, some families have disliked the vocal repetition that these touch-sensitive systems produce. With My First Story Reader, toddlers can touch the pages as much as they want, and the interactivity only occurs when they hit the three big buttons located below the book. This is an excellent addition to any toddler's library.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 02/11/2006, price $19.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: EC

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • Safety is an issue

    very very very very very very very very very very violent

    i love it but its just so bad for 17 year olds who listen to rockin dora music and so bad for my 2 year old who listens to nas who is so appropiate and never curses

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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