V Reader Review

VTech’s innovative animated ebook reader for kids is a new way for kids to learn to read and become techno savvy at the same time.

UPDATE September 2011: VTech and Leappad have released their latest Learning Devices, both ipad-like Tablet devices for kids: The Leapfrog Tablet & The VTech InnoTab both of which I would recommend for parents.

In my opinion, the V Reader represents the future of kids learning devices, more so than a games console as it is more essential and adaptable format for reading, writing and games.

I have an ipad that I use to read my own ebooks so know how appealing this kind of technology can be. At the same time I don’t like sharing if I’m in the middle of a book or doing work so the V Reader is a great option for my kids to read and interact with their own gadget.

I also don’t like my kids playing computer games so this is a way for them to become familiar with technology without becoming distracted by other things.

I would much rather them sit with this device for an hour than be plugging away at a game, no matter how educational it may be.

And no more sharing issues for me :0)

What Is the V. Reader?

In theory, the V Tech’s V. Reader is basically an ebook reader for kids. But in reality it is so much more. VTech have designed this ebook reader so that kids can use it easily and without damaging the electronics. VTech have a long history in designing electronic learning toys so they have used all their previous experience in the design of this reader.

V Reader – Out Of The Box

Out of the box the V Reader comes with the device, a USB charger and the instruction manual. Books are sold seperately and added via cartridges (see photo on right) or downloaded. Notable design features include a hard plastic screen protector that allows kids to still read the book but have all the other buttons protected by a hard see-through plastic cover. The V. Reader also integrates large and intuitive buttons along the bottom of the reader for kids to easily access the features on the screen. The V.Reader is also a touch screen device and kids can use their fingers or a stylus to navigate through the book or game. The stylus is conveniently stored in the ebook reader itself. VTech have made some wonderful design decisions here – Its great for kids who tend to misplace things like this or end up using the stylus as a lightsaber. Everything is sturdy and has a place.

An Animated ebook Reader

VTech call the V. Reader, an animated ebook reader. Whereas most ebook readers for adults have static display for words and pictures, the V.Reader displays moving images in full color. In the various ebooks designed for the system, moving images are part of the book’s appeal. Children can touch images on the screen and watch them move or as pages are turned, small animations are played, engaging the child into the visual narrative.

Selected words in the ebooks are also interactive and by touching them, kids can open up a dictionary which will explain what the words mean by reading the definition out aloud.

The ebook reader reads the book out aloud to the child, displaying the text on the screen and highlighting potentially challenging words. Similarly the sound can be switched off so kids can read the story for themselves. Kids can pause the story by touching an icon on the screen and by touching objects (say a dog or a character) kids can also interact with the words and pictures. They are then prompted to turn the page once the page has been read through fully. The navigation is intuative and most kids will pick up the controls very quickly.

Books

There is a nice range of books on the market, with more being planned for release later in the year. Current Titles include:

• Shrek

 

• Disney Fairies (Tinker Bell)

 

 

• Dora

 

 

• Toy Story

 

 

• Cars

 

 

• Olivia

 

 

• Scooby Doo

 

 

• Disney Princesses

 

 

• Mickey Mouse

 

 

 

More Than Books

The V. Reader is more than an ebook reader though. Kids can play games that help with learning and they can also interact using the keyboard, entering words of their own. Each story has eight games that help with understanding core concepts and comprehension of the story. You can download ebooks and games from the website, as well as reward certificates for completed ebooks. The system easily connects to to your comuter via USB. The V. Reader has an SD card slot for added storage space which is very handy!

What Others Are Saying

The VTech V Reader has gotten good reviews from critics and parents. Being the first dedicated kids ebook reader it is a great tool for parents who want to encourage their kids to use electronic reading devices and perhaps keep them off iphones and ipads a little longer. What parents who have the V Reader think of this learning toy:

• “My son has insisted that I help him ask Santa for this for Christmas this year and two weeks after trying it out is still talking about it.”

 

• “The V.Reader highlights each word as it is read for your child….encouraging word recognition. My son absolutely loves it!!!”

 

 

• “My favorite feature is that my 5 year old can use the pen and touch each word in a story and read it word by word – she only needs to touch the words she doesn’t know and can read the others on her own.”

 

 

• “This is great for road trips, airplanes, etc. We love it and more so, we love that our kids love it.”

 

 

 

VTech V Reader Overall

Our Rating: The V Reader ebook reader is a wonderful tool for kids.

• Educational Value:Given the popularity of ebook readers for adults and their usefulness for helping kids learn to read it is a wonder that it took this long for an educational toy company to develop one.

 

• Design:The V Reader has many design features parents will appreciate, from the hard plastic cover that folds all the way over and allows the system to sit flat, to the expandable storage capabilities, and the myriad of options for games and ebooks.

 

 

Our Advice: This is bound to be a hit at Christmas and it is well deserved for a fun and educational reading tool. Any Cons:  The V Reader goes through batteries fairly quickly (4 AA) so we highly recommend purchasing the recharger at the same time.

Where To Buy The V. Reader

You can purchase the V. Reader from Amazonnow and retail outlets later in the year. You can also find some really great

for both the reader and games.

Here is a video that can help demostrate the V.Reader features.

Tagged as: V reader, Vreader, Vtech V Reader