LeapFrog Introduces Read With Me Scout to Help Children Build Early Reading Skills

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LeapFrogEnterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), the leader in educational entertainment, today announced the availability of Read With Me Scout and Read With Me Violet, two new interactive plush puppies designed to build early reading skills. LeapFrog knows that children learn to read best when they are actively engaged. Developed by LeapFrog's team of learning experts, Read With Me Scout and Read With Me Violet build off the #1 selling infant electronic item^[i] My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet. They offer an interactive storytime experience filled with learning activities that build early reading comprehension, listening and vocabulary skills. The Scout and Violet pals respond to every pet, pat, hug and kiss as they read stories aloud.

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"Building early comprehension skills is an essential step on a child's path to reading," said Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos, manager of LeapFrog's Learning Team. "The most effective read-aloud experiences are those in which children are actively involved in asking and answering questions, and making predictions rather than passively listening. Read With Me Scout is a new breakthrough solution that brings learning and fun together to help younger kids begin their reading journey early. It offers them interactive storytime experiences and helps form a rich literacy foundation."

Read With Me Scout and Read With Me Violet respond with fun audio designed to reinforce the learning. Children simply press a button on the collar and choose one of five books. As the pals read them the story aloud, children build comprehension skills and early vocabulary. They also learn about the relationship between print on a page and the story as they turn the pages and listen to 70+ spoken questions and audio responses. Parents can switch Scout and Violet into Sleepy Time mode to select a read-aloud story or eight minutes of lullabies.

Read With Me Scout and Read With Me Violet are the latest additions to LeapFrog's popular line of Scout learning products that includes interactive plush friends such as My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet, My Own Leaptop and Chat & Count Smart Phone toys, and popular DVDs: Phonics Farm, Numberland and Adventures in Shapeville Park. Read With Me Scout has already received international recognition and was recently awarded the Grand Prix du Jouet 2013 award for Best Preschool Toy in France.

Availability
Read With Me Scout and Read With Me Violet (MSRP $34.99, for children 2 to 5 years old) are available online and at major retailer locations in the U.S, Canada, UK and France, and will be available in Spain and Mexico later this year. For more information, visit www.leapfrog.com/toys.

About LeapFrog
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is the leader in educational entertainment for children. LeapFrog's award-winning product portfolio helps millions of children achieve their potential by delivering best-in-class curriculum through engaging content, fun multimedia learning platforms and toys. The Learning Path, LeapFrog's proprietary online destination for parents, provides personalized feedback on a child's learning progress and offers recommendations to enhance each child's learning experience. Through the power of play, LeapFrog's products and curriculum help children of all ages prepare for school and life success. LeapFrog's products are available in more than 45 countries and have been used by teachers in more than 100,000 U.S. classrooms.  LeapFrog is based in Emeryville, California, and was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Come see the learning at www.leapfrog.com.  

TM & © 2013 LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

1. ^[i] U.S. Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service; Infant Electronic Learning, Annual 2012.

SOURCE LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.