LeapfrogSince the release of the Tag reading system in mid 2009, there has been a slow trickle of Leapfrog Tag Books onto the market. While it is easy to see the benefits of the system for younger children who are at a pre-reader level, the Tag system is also a great resource for older emerging readers, particularly boys who may be intimidated by pages with lots of words and so reluctant to read.

As a parent of one such "reluctant reader" I can safely say my son is drawn to visual and/or multimedia books. Comics, graphic novels and books like Geronimo Stilton that are heavy on dynamic images and graphics have always been his first port of call when cruising for something to read (or simply look through) at night.

Needless to say the Tag reader is attractive to him and but as he is nine there have not been a whole lot of titles that hold his interest up until now. But Leapfrog has released some Tag Books that are winners in two areas, they appeal to older readers and... they are comics.

Here are a few Tag books in comic form that I would recommend for an "older" reader who is reluctant to pick up a regular book.

51BDnF2KVvL__SL160_Ben 10 Alien Force: Wanted Kevin Levin
Ever since Kevin used his powers to move a meteorite, he's been acting strangely. When he is captured by the alien bounty hunter Seven Seven, Ben and Gwen fear he might have reverted to his evil ways. It's up to them to rescue Kevin and get to the bottom of this mystery before it's too late.

Ben 10 is very popular with kids of varying ages. Because it is a little edgy and a little scary it is still a hit with older kids up to about the age of 12. The reader is full of colour and dynamic images. Like normal comics, the story is developed through word balloons and the sequential nature of the images.

Various sound effects are taken straight from the TV series which makes it highly appealing for fans of the franchise.

It teaches:

  • matching and memory skills
  • literary analysis
  • critical thinking
  • logic and reasoning skills

51NZK1t+hGL__SL160_The Clone Wars Rescue In The Sky
General Grievous has captured R2-D2. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is ordered to destroy the evil general's battleship with R2-D2 still aboard. Can Anakin rescue his droid in time?

Taken directly from an episode of the Star Wars Clone Wars television series this book is presented in comic book form with image panels and speech balloons. It also features sound effects taken from the series soundtrack.

There is lots of action and it is very dynamic. Kids who are already familiar with the series or with the characters from the films will enjoy the interaction aspects of the book immensely.

It teaches:

  • character analysis
  • drawing conclusions
  • making predictions
  • memory skills

You could also try the Tag Spider-man book but I  have no experience with that title yet.
Check these sites if  you are after regular comics for reluctant readers or want to know more about the Geronimo Stilton books.

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Filed under: Leapfrog Tag Books • Leapfrog Tag System

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