PowerTouch Baby (PowerTouch Baby)

POWERTOUCH BABY is a new addition to the growing genre of interactive book readers. The unit offers three ways to play: It reads the book aloud, it encourages the child to "explore" by touching pictures, and it offers a surprise when a requested object is touched. Babies or toddlers use their fingers to interact with PowerTouch Baby, and the unit will respond to the gentlest of touches. The plastic platform measuring approximately 12 inches square holds tear- and water-resistance books that respond to the baby's slightest touch.

PowerTouch Baby comes with "Baby Animals," which introduces youngsters to baby birds, squirrels, rabbits, kittens, and puppies. On each page, there is a tactile spot to touch that feels soft and fuzzy. The interaction also incorporates more than 100 songs. If the book is not in the platform, children will find pictures of instruments and a virtual xylophone with which to interact on the platform's surface.

There are several add-on books/software, including: "Little People Farm," "I Know My Numbers," "I Know My Letters," "Cutie Bear's Colors," and "My Fuzzy Puppy," for $15. Before interacting with an additional book, parents need to place the accompanying software cartridge in the unit. The books introduce early learning concepts such as simple vocabulary, colors, letters, numbers, and more.

What makes this interactive book reader so good is that it can always tell what page the book is open to. Toddlers can flip a page to touch something new on the next page, and the unit knows exactly how to respond. This is a distinct advantage over competitor Leapfrog's LittleTouch LeapPad, where the unit needs to be cued each time the page is turned.