Littlest Pet Shop VIPs

Hasbro's fuzzy world for your real toy; no chat.

Entertainment Value: High Graphics: Illustrations Playability: Easy to navigate Reading Level: Light Website: http://www.hasbro.com/littlestpetshop/

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know this site requires the purchase of a stuffed toy to participate in the virtual world for one year (Kids can borrow a pet and register one time to explore the site with a three-game limit). Otherwise, there are Littlest Pet Shop plush toys available for about $15 at hasbrotoyshop.com and several other online retailers. Currency is Kibble coins, earned by playing games and doing activities. At the time of the review, there was no social networking, though this feature is soon to come. Outside advertising doesn't exist either, but there's a clear intent for kids to add several VIPs to their account.

Families can talk about time spent in these virtual worlds. How much is too much? When is it better to play in the "real" world? The site also serves as a good launching pad into discussing the concept of money and spending. Families can also talk about the responsibilities of caring for a pet. What do you need to do to care for a pet? Also, how collecting more than one VIP may -- or may not make a difference -- to your experience on this site? Will adding a new pet change anything?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Dana Cotter

Welcome to Hasbro's LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs (Virtual Interactive Pets), where kids can choose one of five stuffed toys to unlock a new virtual world by inputting the secret code found on the toy's collar. Kids accessorize, feed, and furnish their pets' room; play games; and explore different areas of the site (playground, forest, Get Better Center, village, and more). Kibble coins are earned by playing games -- some of which are truly educational -- and participating in pet activities found throughout the site (pick up stuff, get groomed, playground rides, etc.). Pet accessories, decorating items, and food can all be bought with Kibble coins. Ecards and socializing will soon be added to the fun at the Littlest Pet Shop world, as well as more cuddly VIP choices.

Fans of this site might also enjoy Webkinz.com or BellaSara.com.

Reviewed: 12/18/2007

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence
Language A filter checks user names; there's no chat.
Message
	Social Behavior At this point there's no social element to this site.
	Commercialism Must buy a product to fully participate in this site. Kids do things on the site (play games, etc.) to earn Kibble coins to buy things for their pets.There are links to the online store and ads for Hasbro products.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Some games are educational.