LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book review

LeapFrog's Learning Friends 100 Words Book is the vocabulary pick. A toddler presses the pictures on each page and hears the animal characters say the word, with 100 words split across 12 categories such as colors, food, animals and opposites. A language switch moves every word between English and Spanish, and 3 play modes add sound effects and fun facts. A light-up star button plays 2 songs. LeapFrog rates it for 18 to 48 months and quotes its literacy expert, Carolyn Jaynes, PhD, on why grouping words by category helps early vocabulary. It measures 9.4 by 9.2 by 1.9 inches and runs on 2 AA batteries, so it travels better than anything else here. The limits: it starts at 18 months, it is a single-purpose toy, and LeapFrog's US store would not let us check out from our location, so we could not verify a USD price. Retailers sell it, including pink and purple versions.

Who it is for

toddlers building first words, including bilingual homes

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• 100 words across 12 learning categories
• Language switch for English and Spanish
• 3 play modes: words, sound effects and fun facts
• Light-up star button plays 2 learning songs
• Runs on 2 AA batteries; 9.4 x 9.2 x 1.9 inches

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Bilingual English and Spanish at the slide of a switch
• Strength: Small and flat enough to take on trips
• Strength: Also sold in pink and purple versions
• Weakness: Rated from 18 months, so it is late for a 1-year-old
• Weakness: Needs 2 AA batteries
• Weakness: LeapFrog's US store did not allow checkout from our location, so we could not verify a price

Key facts

• Ages: 18 to 48 months
• Words: 100
• Categories: 12
• Languages: English and Spanish
• Batteries: 2 AA

Where it ranks

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book is No. 8 in our Best Toys for Toddlers verdict.