Little Touch: Animal Dance (Little Touch LeapPad)

ANIMAL DANCE is an add-on book/software set for the Little Touch LeapPad Learning System. It's a story about animals putting on a dance concert, and each two-page spread is divided to show onstage and backstage. Onstage, a series of animals "dance" displaying how to stomp your feet, clap your hands, shake your bottom, swing your trunk, flap your arms, blow a kiss, and play peek-a-boo. Backstage, Scaredy Mouse prepares for her entrance by dressing up.

When an adult pushes down on characters or objects in the book, the pressure-sensitive surface of the LeapPad and the software work together to create an interactive interlude. Usually, the sounds encourage the baby or toddler to do what the animal is doing. The parent can choose to have the book be read aloud each time a page is turned. Also, the book and software have three settings, so the style of interaction can be set according to the child's age.

Animal Dance provides parents with a forum in which to interact with their child. By using this book/software set, parents can introduce many motor skills and musical rhythms to their child. It encourages silly play, and may be just what a new parent needs to learn how to have fun with their baby.

The story, with its split-stage concept, is a little complicated for young children to follow. However, the animals are cute, and the motor skills they introduce are fun to imitate. The Little Touch LeapPad may be difficult for a toddler to use alone, so purchase this item as a learning aid for a parent to use with their child.