LeapFrog announce Tag Reading System

31 January 2008 12:19 GMT / By Stuart Miles

LeapFrog has announced a new technologically advanced range of reading books that promise to engage your kids more than just regular paper.

Working with a pen, the Tag Reading System interacts directly with books via an infrared camera which recognises letters, words and symbols on the page of a Tag book.

Kids can then opt to have stories read out to them, or press on individual words they want read.

In an attempt to appeal to kids even further the voices will be the same as the TV shows. So Patrick from Sponge Bob really sounds like Patrick.

Children will also be able to press on any area of the book to find secrets or random noises.

In addition there will be a series of activity games at the back of each book. Kids will also be able to collect reward points for completing activities, which can be collected online.

The Tag system, which will cost £39.99 in the UK, will come with the Tag and a book titled Ozzie and Mack, but will come with additional books based on characters from Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon channels such as Go! Diego, Go! and Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Users can download new audio files for books they buy by connecting the Tag pen to the company's website; LeapFrog connect and the pen is capable of storing up to 5 stories at any one time.

Additional audio for the stories, games and activities can also be downloaded.

The new book system, which LeapFrog will hope take the leappad reading success forward is expected to be in shops later this year.