July 10th, 2010

Book Reader Envy: V.Reader Better Than Kindle?

Education Corner, Toddler & Preschooler

The good news about the new V.Reader from V.Tech is that it gives the 3-7 year old age group a new way to read books rivaling adult book readers with a full color interactive touch screen and so many features you need to navigate yourself to truly appreciate.  The bad news is that taking it away can be a challenge.  As an English teacher, instilling a love of reading in our children is a top priority; I like having another tool to reach this goal.  While good old fashioned books will always have a place on our bookshelf, the V.Reader is a portable alternative that assists the 3+ set as they learn to read and the 5+ age group to refine these skills. You can read more about the V.Reader and watch videos on their site to learn more, but after testing it out for the last week we’ve found features that, practically speaking, make it a Cool Baby Kid Top Pick:

  • Removable stylus is optional…fingers work just as well and are not easily lost.
  • An arrow appears on screen to turn the page after the paragraph is read combating impatient button clickers.
  • Each story includes reading games that give readers additional practice with included vocabulary words and sounds.  This is one of my personal favorite features.
  • Pictures come to life as clickable images make sounds and animate on every page.
  • Story dictionaries allow for additional practice with some of the words from each story.
  • An earphone jack means we’ll disturb less people on our cross-country plane trip in a few weeks.  Whether or not our three year old leave on a headset is TBD.
  • Book titles include kids’ favorites translating instant recognition to sustained interest.  We tried our Shrek’s Vacation and are still finding new games daily.  Titles coming soon include Disney Princess and Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue (to name a few) with Dora and the Three Little Pigs and Toy Story 3 among others already available.

We’re looking forward to an online component including downloadable E-Books coming soon. At $59.99 with book cartridges retailing for $19.99, the V.Reader is an investment.  Would we purchase it? Already did…for our son. Because the other downside is that with two children having one of anything makes for some sticky situations.


Purchase the V.Reader exclusively at Target or through our Amazon affiliate links:
Or…if you’re feeling lucky…

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a V.Reader by listing one fact not mentioned in this post after visiting their site.   Follow VTech on Twitter and Facebook and/or Cool Baby Kid on Twitter and Facebook for additional entries.  Please leave a seperate comment for each. Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. U.S. Residents Only. Expires 7/25/10.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and giveaways.

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View Comments to “Book Reader Envy: V.Reader Better Than Kindle?”

  1. It teaches both phonics and sight words to encompass all learning styles!

  2. Ideal for kids learning to read.

  3. has a qwerty keyboard

  4. subscriber

  5. On the VTech site, I enjoyed the section on milestones. Very informative. I could see how the VTech reader could help kids of each age reach their milestones.

  6. I follow VTech on FB

  7. I follow Cool Baby Kid on FB

  8. I subscribe via RSS

  9. I read that there is even a storage tote available for the V. Reader.

  10. I follow Vtech on Twitter (momcaboodle)

  11. I like Vtech on Facebook (Shanna Bailes)

  12. I follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter (momcaboodle)

  13. I like Cool Baby Kid on Facebook (Shanna Bailes)

  14. I have learned that it even has a charger for the car.This would be amazing for my lil man while he is learning to read especially with the animation
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmial DOT com

  15. follow Vtech on twitter @highlight4u
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  16. follow Vtech on facebook
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  17. follow Cool Baby Kid on facebook Amy Fedorchak
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  18. follow cool baby kid on twitter @highlight4u
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  19. I am a subscriber
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  20. I am a follower
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  21. tweeted
    http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/18297829801
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  22. This looks awesome! My daughter would love it!!!

  23. it brings reading to life in 3 crucial areas: pictures, sounds and interactivity
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

  24. It is interactive for non readers.. they can click on a word and it will repeat it for them.

  25. following vtech on twitter
    @ourkidsmom

  26. following vtech on facebook

  27. following cool baby kid on twitter
    @ourkidsmom

  28. following cool baby kid on facebook

  29. I sub to your emails!
    ourkidsmom @ gmail dot com

  30. I love the fact that they will have down-loadable stories available soon. I love having more options.

  31. I follow VTech on twitter (notimeMom)

  32. I follow VTech on facebook (andrea potter kruse)

  33. I subscribe via email
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  34. I follow you on twitter (notimeMom)

  35. I like you on facebook (andrea potter kruse)
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  36. I have your button posted
    http://adventuresinallthingsfood.blogspot.com/
    entry #1

  37. I have your button posted
    http://adventuresinallthingsfood.blogspot.com/
    entry #2

  38. I have your button posted
    http://adventuresinallthingsfood.blogspot.com/
    entry #3

  39. I have your button posted
    http://adventuresinallthingsfood.blogspot.com/
    entry #4

  40. I have your button posted
    http://adventuresinallthingsfood.blogspot.com/
    entry #5

  41. I’m a follower!

  42. tweet
    http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/18368157564
    amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com

  43. It has a touch screen

    rmartinclarke at gmail dot com

  44. i follow Vtech on fb

  45. i follow vtech on twitter

  46. i follow cbk on twitter as rsmc1

  47. i’m a subscriber

  48. i follow cbk on facebook as ria suzette martin clarke

  49. I learned that if I ever need any replacement parts for a V. Reader (or any other V. Tech item) I can get it for free (except for shipping). Thanks for the giveaway.

  50. I read that there is even a storage tote available for the V. Reader.

    kport207 at gmail dot com

  51. I lovethat it makes learning fun!
    Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill@comcast.net

  52. tweet
    http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/18393009455
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  53. YOu can check their status(milestones) online
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  54. like vtech on fb (michelle b)
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  55. like u on fb (michelle b)
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  56. follow vtech on twitter (chelleb36)
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  57. twitter follower (chelleb36)
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  58. email subscriber
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  59. I learned that every story comes with a story dictionary

  60. follow vtech on twitter @skgaff

  61. follow vtech on facebook (stephanie gaffney)

  62. follow cool baby kid on twitter @skgaff

  63. follow cool baby kid on facebook (stephanie gaffney)
    glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

  64. I’m a CBK subscriber

  65. I’m a CBK follower

  66. VTech® Launches Award-Winning V.Reader™ on National Summer Learning Day

  67. I follow vtech on twitter

  68. I follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter

  69. tweet
    http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/18458725951
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  70. tweet
    http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/18468432469
    amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

  71. tweet
    http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/18523849340
    amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

  72. tweet
    http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/18538675856
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  73. [...] Cool Baby Kid – V.Reader by V.Tech Giveaway [...]

  74. Down-loadable stories will be available soon. That’s very cool!

  75. The V.Reader has a screen cover to protect the screen while reading the stories. The cover can be flipped to the back of the unit for play.

  76. I follow VTech on Twitter (@jdeemarie)

  77. I'm a Facebook fan of VTech (Jodi J)

  78. I subscribed to your emails.

  79. toy story 3 is one of the books you can get for it

    autumn398 @yahoo.com

  80. oops, sorry! Please delete this one!

  81. tweet
    http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/18701935734
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  82. It's going to have >100 titles available, some free

    suz03us at yahoo dot com

  83. I'm a subscriber
    suz03us at yahoo dot com

  84. The screen has a protective cover

    sanki304 at gmail

  85. i'm a subscriber

    sanki304 at gmail dot com

  86. You can buy a storage case for it.
    cmc304hf at hotmail dot com

  87. I'm a subscriber

    cmc304hf at hotmail dot com

  88. cdziuba@aol.com Here is some info about a member of the Vtech Advisory Council:

    Dr. Lynne Kenney , Psy.D.
    Pediatric Psychologist
    As a pediatric psychologist for 15 years, Dr. Lynne Kenney has helped families solve the challenges of childhood. Dr. Kenney, who earned her Doctorate in Psychology from Pepperdine University, is currently a consulting psychologist in Arizona where she works on a multi-disciplinary pediatric team coaching families to live with health and wellness. Dr. Kenney also started The Family Coach, a multimedia franchise that aims to help parents improve their family life and child’s development.

  89. follow VTech on Twitter cdziuba

  90. follow VTech on Facebook carol p dziuba

  91. tweet
    http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/18791838197
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  92. MANDATORY ENTRY: I learned that eventually there will be over 100+ titles of 'story books' available to read through the V.Reader. Yahoo! Now I really need to win this V.Reader!
    kimbuckjr@yahoo.com

  93. I follow VTech on Twitter. My Twitter ID: @kimbuckjr
    kimbuckjr@yahoo.com

  94. I am a Facebook FAN of VTech's. My Facebook ID: ChicagoBearsFan1 OR Kimberly Dunek-Buck
    kimbuckjr@yahoo.com

  95. I am a Facebook FAN of Cool Baby Kid's. My Facebook ID: ChicagoBearsFan1 OR Kimberly Dunek-Buck
    kimbuckjr@yahoo.com

  96. I follow Cool Baby Kid via Twitter. My Twitter ID: @kimbuckjr
    kimbuckjr@yahoo.com

  97. I 'shared' this giveaway on my Facebook page. Here is the link…

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/yubo/140441146448...

    kimbuckjr@yahoo.com

  98. tweet: http://twitter.com/rsmc1/status/18931179719
    rmartinclarke at gmail

  99. They have the product manuals available for download on their site.

  100. MANDATORY ENTRY: I learned that eventually there will be over 100+ titles of 'story books' available to read through the V.Reader.
    stracey2010@live.com

  101. I found out that they have the manuals available for download on their website.

  102. I learned that there are two different levels, with the 3+ level (where my son is) that uses Pictures & Animation, Sounds and Interactivity to keep them interested and learning! Yay! amberortega at gmail dot com

  103. Follow VTech on twitter /ambero

  104. follow VTech on Facebook /amberortega

  105. I learned that, soon there will be more than 100 stories available for V reader…
    (mommalovesmee AT GMAIL DOT COM)

  106. Follow Vtech on Twitter @mommalovesmee
    (mommalovesmee AT GMAIL DOT COM)

  107. Like Vtech on fb(harsha jain)

    (mommalovesmee AT GMAIL DOT COM)

  108. Follow Cool baby kid on twitter @mommalovesmee
    (mommalovesmee AT GMAIL DOT COM)

  109. Like cool baby kid on fb(harsha jain)

    (mommalovesmee AT GMAIL DOT COM)

  110. Gfc follower
    (mommalovesmee AT GMAIL DOT COM)

  111. They will have downloadable stories available.

  112. tweet
    http://twitter.com/rsmc1/status/19310480728
    rmartinclarke at gmail dot com

  113. they will have down-loadable stories available soon

  114. tweet
    http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19320847195
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  115. That their stories are downloadable, much like the Tag Reader.
    Elizabeth
    mrsgerbil@hotmail.com

  116. I learned that there were two different levels – which is great because my kids are at two different stages!

  117. A kid can pause the story at anytime. Touch the word and it will be pronounced for him.

  118. They will have downloadable stories available
    jmajor4870(at)aol(dot)com

  119. I like that my daughter can touch a word and it will be pronounced for her. She is only 4 and this would be great! Thank You!

  120. I now follow vtechtoys on Twitter!

  121. I learned that with the V.Reader Toy Story 3 game your child is learning about Beginning Sounds, Comprehension and Comparisons. There are also 2 different Storage Totes available one in pink, the other in blue.

  122. I am a Follower!

  123. I “like” VTech Toys on Facebook.

  124. I follow VTech on Twitter and Facebook.

  125. I follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter (mnsteph).

  126. I love the fact that it prounounces words for the little ones!

  127. I follow VTech on Twitter: tesashel

  128. I'm a friend of VTech on FB: tesa shelton

  129. I learned that you can purchase either a Car Charger or AC Adapter so you won't go thru so many batteries.

  130. Shortly, there will 100 plus stories available for this!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

  131. There will be downloadable stories available.

  132. I'm following VTECH on Twitter (I'm @ThriftyJinxy).

  133. I'm following VTECH on Twitter (I'm @ThriftyJinxy).

  134. I'm following you on Twitter (I'm @ThriftyJinxy).

  135. All VTech toys – including the V.Reader – are sent to independent safety testing labs before they are brought to market to be sure they meet or exceed all of the safety requirements… as required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. :)

  136. there will 100 plus stories available for this shortly

    jdmimi at gmail dot com

  137. I learned there is going to be 100 titles to choose from

  138. follow you via twitter susan1215

  139. follow Vtech via twitter susan1215

  140. I'm a friend of VTech on FB Susan Smith

  141. Your facebook fan Susan Smith

  142. follow via GFC

  143. I learned that you can get accesorries for it , blue carrying case or pink one, car charger also

    mellanhead74 at hotmail.com

  144. I follow Vtech on twitter @mellanhead

  145. Like Vtech on F at Jd drenchek-Scavo

  146. charger for the car
    amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

  147. You can get a storage tote for it too!

  148. I learned that they have things for birth to 8 years old.

  149. follow vtech on twitter @kngmckellar

  150. fb fan vtech-g. mckellar

  151. follow you on twitter @kngmckellar

  152. I like that they are adding stories to download.

  153. fb fan of v tech
    amydelong
    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

  154. follow v tech on twitter
    amyhd29
    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

  155. fb fan of yours
    amydelong
    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

  156. The V.Reader has a screen cover to protect the screen while reading the stories.

  157. there will be over 100 downloadable ebooks many for free

    klp1965@myfairpoint.net

  158. like vtech on facebook Kathy L Pease

  159. like you on facebook Kathy L Pease

  160. following you on twitter klp1965

  161. I learned that there will soon be a total of 11 animated stories for purchase.

  162. I'm a subscriber!

  163. It has a USB port and SD memory card slot for expansion. Thanks for the contest.

  164. twitter follow vtech: slehan

  165. FB like Vtech: Slehan

  166. I have added you to twitter

  167. I have liked you on facebook

  168. I would like to enter this contest

  169. Mandatory: V.Reader can be purchased at Walmart

  170. Follow VTech on Twitter (scm74)

  171. Like VTech on Facebook (Sue Cottingham Mayer)

  172. There will be over 100 downloadabel books, many of them will be free.

  173. It has a qwerty keyboard and comes in pink or blue.

  174. it has USB port and sd card to make expansion cdmarteny@mywebdesk.com

  175. I learned that you can buy a storage case for it, thanks!

  176. You can use the VTech Progress Tracker Interactive reporting tool to see how your children are using the V.Reader
    http://www.vtechkids.com/parents_landing.cfm

  177. I learned you can buy a carrying case for it.

  178. Follow VTech on Twitter @Macmomof3

  179. I follow VTech on Facebook

  180. I follow you on Facebook

  181. I'm a subscriber.

  182. I'm a follower

  183. facebook fan of vtech (mrstinareynolds)

  184. twitter follower of vtech (mrstinareynolds)

  185. i follow your blog

  186. i subscribe to your blog

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