Story Buddies are interactive storybooks that come with a corresponding stuffed toy. Via voice-activated technology, you and your child can enjoy the responses of your plush friend as it reacts to keyphrases in the book. One of the Story Buddies, Bigsby, for example, laughs, tells you how shy he is, and worries about his hiding place when you say his keywords, highlighted in red. And, readers with accents shouldn’t have problems using Story Buddies; they picked up everything that was read to them the first time.
Bigsby™ Interactive Storybook & Story Buddy retails for $29.95 and is available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. The package comes with a buddy, a book, and the coordinating iPod and iPad applications. In addition to Bigsby, there are five other options, with an additional one on the way. There’s an ON/Off button, and the toys turn themselves off after a few minutes of idleness.
DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Samantha Feuss, a freelance writer, teacher, and editor of Have Sippy Will Travel, is an adoptive and biological mother. You may contact Samantha by email. Photo courtesy of Samantha Feuss.