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MobiGoTouch Learning System – Pink

MobiGoTouch Learning System – Pink

ee3ec3ccd81329a53f504a13a59528ad MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink

  • Portable handheld gaming system lets kids enjoy learning on the go
  • Touch screen technology introduces kids to a new way to play and follows the hottest trend in gaming today
  • Slide-out QWERTY keyboard adds a stylish touch and gives kids a chance to familiarize themselves with a keyboard layout
  • One cartridge is included with the system
  • Sturdy, kid-tough design and colorful appearance

V Tech’s MobiGo gives kids ages 3-7 their own touch-tech toy that keeps them engaged while they learn. With a touch-activated screen and a QWERTY slide-out keyboard, kids get to emulate their parent’s gadgets while learning from characters like Shrek, Disney Princesses and Dora. Tap, slide or flick with MobiGo – kids pick the way they play and learn about colors, shapes, spelling, math, logic and more.REVIEW: VTech’s MobiGo Touch Learning System is an interactive learning device that uses a touchscreen and keyboard to control gameplay. Designed to encourage learning and the development of dexterity skills, the MobiGo device brings modern handheld technology to young users. Whether it’s adding numbers, spelling words, solving problems, or spotting the differences between similar objects, the MobiGo encourages young users ages three to eight years to develop a variety of basic skills and foster the development of an active imagination.

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Touch Learning System
(Pink)

Ages: 3 to 8 years
Requires: Four AA batteries (not included)


What We Think

Fun factor: e4b3dbf6a8bc4e2a23c2b26d23abd989 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink
Durability: e4b3dbf6a8bc4e2a23c2b26d23abd989 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink
Ease of assembly: c680dd2d3a6c06e41d37f8121ebcecb0 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink
Educational factor: e4b3dbf6a8bc4e2a23c2b26d23abd989 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink
Novelty factor: e4b3dbf6a8bc4e2a23c2b26d23abd989 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink

The Good: Accommodates a variety of game play levels and ages

The Challenging: Small screen size

In a Nutshell: An interactive device that encourages learning though fun games and activities

3a22be16f1fe36e30fbce569092d30bc MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink
4dcba2029d49b7fdb96e7b8af7b21d30 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink
This colorful learning companion helps your child learn with fun activities and games. View larger.
1c9f0200a1ef1a209cb44e0e7acc8eff MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink
The intuitive, QWERTY keyboard is designed for a child’s hands.

On-the-Go Learning Made Simple
The MobiGo Touch Learning System has a look and feel similar to a modern handheld device, but it’s designed for use by young children with smaller, less dexterous hands. It features a sliding screen that can easily be pushed up to reveal a QWERTY keyboard underneath. The soft, over-molded plastic housing creates an easy-to-grip surface for holding the device with two hands, and the rubber feet on the bottom of the device help to hold it still on a smooth tabletop surface.

The MobiGo comes with a game cartridge that can be inserted into a slot on the back of the device. This game cartridge features several learning games, each one with a choice between difficult or easy levels of play. New games may be downloaded by connecting the MobiGo device to a computer using the provided USB cable and installing the VTech download manager. Additionally, new game cartridges that feature a variety of popular characters and themes are available and sold separately, each with their own focus and learning curriculum.

1688b808968a252aae0efc6caa31b229 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink A Learning Device That Grows with Your Child
The MobiGo Touch Learning System is a next-generation learning device that uses the popularity of modern handheld electronic devices to build skills in young children. It encourages the development of important dexterity-based skills by shifting between touch-based games and keyboard-based games, and it promotes the development of skills related to problem solving, spelling and grammar, observation, and mathematics.

The ability for parents to select a wide variety of games based on skill levels and themes makes MobiGo a versatile learning device that will maintain relevancy as a child grows. The MobiGo keeps track of user activity and saves this information under a personalized user profile that a child can set up the first time she uses the device. Although other users can play with the device, only one user profile can be saved at a time. This user can log onto the VTech Web site to download performance information, compare progress with other MobiGo profiles, and earn rewards for a job well done.

What’s in the Box
MobiGo Touch Learning System, game cartridge, USB cable, soft cloth, owner’s manual.


END

Rating: 4 5 MobiGoTouch Learning System   Pink (out of 7 reviews)

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List Price: $ 59.99

Price: $ 48.00

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Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Moon

3c900f9ae9fc939aefe524e52e8e5401 Goodnight Moon

  • board book
  • goodnight moon
  • the runaway bunny
  • rabbits

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room–to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one–he says goodnight.

In this classic of modern children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

Perhaps the perfect children’s bedtime book, Goodnight Moon is a short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing for–or attempting to postpone–his own slumber. He says goodnight to every object in sight and within earshot, including the “quiet old lady whispering hush.” Clement Hurd’s illustrations are simple and effective, alternating between small ink drawings and wide, brightly colored views of the little rabbit’s room.

Finding all of the items mentioned throughout the book within the pictures is a good bedtime activity–a reappearing little mouse is particularly pesky. By the end of the little rabbit’s goodnight poem, the story has quieted to a whisper, and the drawings have darkened with nightfall. As you turn the last page, you can expect a sleepy smile and at least a yawn or two. (Picture book)

Rating: 4 5 Goodnight Moon (out of 678 reviews)

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List Price: $ 8.99

Price: $ 4.40

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WTF Work Time Fun

WTF Work Time Fun

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  • Features a number of minigames
  • Features a number of unlockable gadgets
  • Delivers bite-size morsels of arcade style action unlike anything ever seen on the PSP

Created specifically for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, WTF is a crazy collection of fun and addictive mini-games that drive the player to perform sometimes trivial, sometimes mind-bending, but always-fun jobs in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Players will spend their well-earned money in the prize-vending machines on new jobs, games, trinkets and for the first time ever on the PSP system, tools to use in the real world such as the World Clock, Ramen Timer, and Flashlight. After players have spent their money, they’ll head back to work so they can earn more money to buy more stuff, like real life but much more fun. WTF delivers gamers compelling, bite-sized morsels of frenzied arcade-style action unlike anything ever seen on the PSP system. Single Player or Multiplayer Gameplay Modes – Play through the game solo, or with your friends in 5 multiplayer mini-games using wireless ad hoc mode

Rating: 3 5 WTF Work Time Fun (out of 17 reviews)

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List Price: $ 29.99

Price: $ 8.26

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Risk II

Risk II

1c6dd7f7c820cf61453e4c74ff8b649c Risk II

It’s a fast paced, ruthless quest for world domination. Play the Classic Game under the familiar rules, trading cards for armies and rolling the dice to outdo your opponent.The year is 1812. Napoleon’s army is on the march, and it’s every empire for itself. As Supreme Commander, you’ll seize territories, crush your enemies, and betray your allies in a fast-paced, ruthless quest for world domination. Play the Classic Game under the familiar rules, trading cards for armies and rolling the dice to outdo your opponent. Play the Simultaneous-Turn option for a whole new Risk experience that includes I-COM communication and negotiation features, territory-depth enhancements, and territory bidding. Risk 2 is the ultimate form of this world-domination game that people of all ages have enjoyed for 40 years.

Rating: 3 Risk II (out of 19 reviews)

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List Price: $ 39.95

Price: $ 12.95

How to Write Short Stories for Small Children

How to Write Short Stories for Small Children

Every person during his/her childhood has heard a lot of stories and fairy tales. Most of them are fictional barring a few that are based on actual events. It is not at all difficult to write short stories, all that you need is a good command over the language and a bit of creativity. Apart from these there are certain things that need to be taken care of like the beginning of the story, the ending etc.

If you want to try writing short stories for small children then here are few tips that will make your story the best.

An appealing and an interesting beginning will arouse the curiosity of the reader which will keep them glued to the story till the end. But before you start writing the first paragraph, you must decide on several story elements. Consider choosing the following before you write the first paragraph:

1. Setting (This is where the story takes place.)

2. Time (Commonly most short stories cover a day or up to a week. If your short story covers a month, you will probably need a shorter time period.)

3. Major conflict (that is the main problem that the characters will solve.)

4. Characters (it is advisable to have 2-4 characters in your story. The plot tends to get complicated if you have more than 4 characters)

5. Ending (There should be a resolution and all of the loose ends should be tied up.)

Once you have decided on the basic story elements, the next thing is to decide on the major element of the story i.e. the target audience. In the case of short stories it is the children whom we target.

After choosing the major story element you can start writing your story. If there are any conversations between the characters which are referred to as dialogues then just keep in mind that each time a different character talks, you need to indent and start a new paragraph. To come up with better dialogues it is suggested to put yourself in the shoes of the characters you are creating as this will help you come up with realistic dialogues.

Read the stories of other writers to get an idea of how to go about writing short stories. Consider reading some folklore stories, which are available on the internet.

Although you read stories of other authors it is really important to have your own style of writing. The story you write should be different from the ones you have read, in other words the story should be unique. This way you can attract more child readers and at the same time make a good name as a popular author in a short span of time.

Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Kit Reviews

Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Kit

ca21bdf141d8d8b543c8608a9f79dc35 Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Kit Reviews

  • iParenting Media Award for excellent product and Top Toy of the year from Creative Child magazine
  • Indoor or outdoor
  • comes with 4 rockets
  • Refill rockets available

Stomp® on the Launch Pad and a blast of air propels the Stomp Rocket® over 100 feet in the air! The kit comes with 4 glow in the dark foam rockets.  The Junior is designed for ages 3 and up.

Kids can get rid of some excess energy with this air-powered outdoor rocket toy. No battery or fuel is needed to get the rockets airborne–just some old-fashioned stomping power. Set up the simple launch stand in a clear outdoor area, connect the 38-inch-long vinyl air hose and blast pad, load one of the 9-inch yellow foam rockets–and watch out. Our 5-year-old assistant reviewer really got a kick out of jumping on the purple blast-off pad and watching her rockets soar 50 feet or more, though she had to fight the adults for a turn. If the three rockets included with the kit aren’t enough fun, you can order stomp parachutes and spin copters from the manufacturer. –Marianne Painter

Rating: 4 5 Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Kit Reviews (out of 110 reviews)

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List Price: $ 14.99

Price: $ 12.68

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The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime)

The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime)

ebd9ef89de215cb9f04517005d0ef56d The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime)

Puffin continues to update the Puffin Storytapes™ audio program and convert the cassette tapes to compact discs.

This season, we’re adding two more titles to our list of Puffin Storytime™ packages.The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf, is a classic all-time favorite. These Puffin picture books will be accompanied by a compact disc that features a professional reading of the unabridged story. Perfect for road trips or quiet bedtime reading, as well as story time, preschool, and home school,Puffin Storytime: The Story of Ferdinand is sure to please children and parents alike.

What else can be said about the fabulous Ferdinand? Published more than 50 years ago (and one of the bestselling children’s books of all time), this simple story of peace and contentment has withstood the test of many generations. Ferdinand is a little bull who much prefers sitting quietly under a cork tree– just smelling the flowers–to jumping around, snorting, and butting heads with other bulls. This cow is no coward–he simply has his pacifist priorities clear. As Ferdinand grows big and strong, his temperament remains mellow, until the day he meets with the wrong end of a bee. In a show of bovine irony, the one day Ferdinand is most definitely not sitting quietly under the cork tree (due to a frightful sting), is the selfsame day that five men come to choose the “biggest, fastest, roughest bull” for the bullfights in Madrid.

Ferdinand’s day in the arena gives readers not only an education in the historical tradition of bullfighting, but also a lesson in nonviolent tranquility. Robert Lawson’s black-and-white drawings are evocative and detailed, with especially sweet renditions of Ferdinand, the serene bull hero. The Story of Ferdinand closes with one of the happiest endings in the history of happy endings–readers of all ages will drift off to a peaceful sleep, dreaming of sweet-smelling flowers and contented cows.

Rating: 4 5 The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime) (out of 132 reviews)

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List Price: $ 9.99

Price: $ 5.59

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Jewel Quest 3-Pack

Jewel Quest 3-Pack

f79f7341cdd5260182673322775aad6f Jewel Quest 3 Pack

All new hidden object series based on the popular, best selling Jewel Quest franchise! Playing as Emma, you reveal Rupert and Emma’s past in their early search for the original Jewel Quest boards. With clues from the early jewel board as their guide, each game will set the player on a world hopping adventure to find a single jewel from the original set, uncovering the story of its unique place in history along the way. Jewel Quest III: The quest continues with Rupert tracing through his family lineage to prove that he is the rightful owner of the jewel board. Travel around the world with Rupert to exotic locations in his adventure to reclaim ownership of the board. Mah Jong II: Join Kwazi as he works to restore the balance of the world. This imbalance has caused him to split into polar opposites; Kwazi White and Kwazi Black. Through the solving of Mah Jong and using both halves to cooperate, you can unlock the mysteries of the moongates.

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List Price: $ 19.99

Price: $ 19.99

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Why Writing for Children is Not Easy

Why Writing for Children is Not Easy

Could you write for children?

It is possible to become a children’s book author but writing for children is not as easy as many believe.

At first blush, children’s stories seem simple enough and many writers create a story and send it out, hoping for publication.

In actuality, your story has to appeal to a triple audience:

To the publisher who will evaluate it for critical and necessary elements.
To children–is your main character someone children can relate to? (What child behaves all the time? What child doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? What child isn’t curious?)
To parents–you likely remember the stories you had to read to your kids repeatedly. Some you enjoyed; others you did your best to avoid.

Why Writing For Children is Not Easy

Many factors contribute to a solid manuscript, such as creating an effective picture book title, writing a compelling opening, and planning your verses for page turns.

Many seasoned children’s book authors, in fact, create book dummies for each of their stories to help them to spot weaknesses and improve on them. Making a book dummy can help you to see how your verses should fall on the pages.

A good children’s story has to have a clear direction, action scenes, a memorable character and a story arc.

As can be seen, much has to be considered when writing stories for children.

Learning How to Write for Children

Prolific Australian author Robyn Opie relates that she wasted valuable time trying to get her kids’ books published. As she gained experience, she discovered that publishers want certain elements in children’s stories and she wrote her stories accordingly.

Robyn has achieved incredible success using this knowledge and has carved a career writing for children.
She has 76 published books under her belt and more in the works.
Her site has won the designation of “101 Best Websites for Writers” from Writer’s Digest.
Robyn is considered one of the best sources, for information about how to get a children’s book published.

Robyn offers free tips and insider knowledge to those who want to build a career writing for children.

Recap: writing for children and getting your stories published can prove difficult if you do not have a clear understanding of what makes a solid children’s story.

 

Bestselling crime author Jo Nesbo talks about his brand new children’s book, Dr Proctors’ Fart Powder, and how it differs writing for children. Dr Proctor’s Fart Powder publishes 4th March 2010. £5.99 PB SIMON AND SCHUSTER UK www.simonandschuster.co.uk
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set

Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set

f62309f691da774a6435156e44c8b0d9 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set

  • Wooden set includes 12 wooden, sliceable cookies
  • Cookies store in a durable dough tube
  • Perfect for creative play
  • Enrich a child’s imagination
  • Exceptional quality and value

Slice, Decorate & Serve!
Slice and “bake” a dozen wooden cookies, then decorateYoung children naturally love to pretend they’re doing “grown-up” things — it’s a fun and important part of childhood development. The Melissa & Doug Wooden Slice and Bake Cookie Set lets children ages three and up pretend to bake, decorate, and serve cookies, all while practicing fine motor skills, learning number concepts, and more. The set includes a dozen wooden cookies, a dozen wooden decorating pieces, and toy wooden kitchen utensils.

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Slice and Bake Cookie Set
    Ages: 3+
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7f54f1b1f35d2a1b20958a4ebe2af93f Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set
What We Think

Fun factor: e4b3dbf6a8bc4e2a23c2b26d23abd989 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set
Durability: c680dd2d3a6c06e41d37f8121ebcecb0 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set
Educational factor: e4b3dbf6a8bc4e2a23c2b26d23abd989 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set
Novelty factor: c680dd2d3a6c06e41d37f8121ebcecb0 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set

The Good: Sturdy, high-quality wooden toy is built to last, offers plenty of opportunity for both independent and interactive pretend play

The Challenging: It’s a toy with a lot of individual pieces, but it includes handy, clever storage solutions

In a Nutshell: Wooden cookie set comes with toy kitchen utensils, providing fun tools to foster imaginary play in preschool-age children

71b0c4e5085b5427362842c84d359076 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set
f53e38e6dbe12ed085156ed2a3248034 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set

Kids love using the wooden spatula to remove their cookie creations from the tray.
View larger.

dd62802a384294b0c6967d6e934400a0 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set

“Slice” cookies from the tube of “dough” with the wooden toy knife. View larger.

Bake Up Something Good
The Slice and Bake Cookie Set features a dozen cookies that are packaged in a cardboard tube that looks just like a tube of cookie dough from the grocery store. Because they’re held together with Velcro, the cookies slide out in one piece. Use the wooden toy knife to “slice” the cookies apart — the Velcro makes a satisfying slicing sound when it separates.

The child can then place the cookies on the cookie sheet and pretend the cookies are baking, making sure to hold the “hot” cookie sheet with the oven mitt once they’re done. (Note that the toy kitchen utensils are not meant for use with real food or with real kitchen appliances.)

Once the cookies are done baking, it’s decorating time! The 12 “vanilla” and “chocolate” frosting pieces attach to the cookies with Velcro. They are painted with different, yummy looking sprinkles, candy pieces, and icing patterns, so your child can create a variety of different looking cookies. After the decorating is done, your child can serve them up with the included wooden toy spatula.

Perfect for preschool-age children, this toy not only offers plenty of opportunity for imaginary play, it also helps small kids exercise their motor skills. Our preschool-age tester found it challenging, yet fun, to slice the cookies apart. And while our toy tester enjoyed playing with it independently, this toy makes a great parent-and-child activity, too.

Adults can place custom orders for cookies, play counting and matching games, and more. If you’re at a loss for ideas, Melissa & Doug includes interactive play ideas on the back of the cookie sheet that help you encourage your child to learn while she plays.

Sturdy, High-Quality Construction
The Slice and Bake Cookie Set definitely has plenty of pieces, so we were glad to find that the cardboard tube is big enough to contain both the cookies and the toppings, making cleanup and organization much easier. We also love the toy’s sturdy wooden construction that’s built for plenty of rough play. And as with all of their products, Melissa & Doug states that this toy is made with non-toxic coatings and meets or exceeds US toy testing standards.

About Melissa & Doug
Started in the garage at Doug’s parents’ house in 1988, Melissa & Doug has grown to become one of the most popular toy makers in the world. Their toys have garnered dozens of parenting and “best toy” awards over the years, and have been featured widely in national print media and on television.

One of the company’s points of pride is that their toys are thoroughly tested for safety, and meet all US consumer product safety regulations. The toys are tested at the factory of origin during various phases of the production process to ensure that every toy meets the company’s stringent safety requirements every step along the way. In particular, the paints and coatings on Melissa & Doug toys are tested frequently to be sure they meet or exceed government recommendations limiting heavy metals and lead in children’s items.

Since day one, Melissa & Doug has been in compliance with every US consumer product safety regulation and will continue to stay compliant as the laws continue to evolve, assuring parents that their children can have a safe childhood while playing with Melissa & Doug toys.

What’s in the Box
12 wood cookies, 12 decorative toppings, toy cookie dough tube, wooden cookie tray, wooden spatula, wooden toy knife and oven mitt.


Rating: 4 5 Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set (out of 81 reviews)

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List Price: $ 19.99

Price: $ 10.75