Disney·Pixar Monsters University LeapReader™ 3D Book: review and giveaway

The excitement is building for Monsters University! The sequel (or to be more precise, the prequel) to Monsters, Inc. opens in theatres on June 21, and this is one class that everyone wants to sign up for.  Unfortunately only monsters are allowed to enroll in Monsters University -- but there's good news for human children. Leapfrog has not one, but two great ways for kids to learn and play with Mike and Sulley: the Monsters University game and book.

I've been a huge fan of Leapfrog's edu-tainment philosophy for years -- I can't tell you what a big help the Tag Reader and all its predecessors were in helping my kids learn to read, and learn to love reading! -- so they sent me a review copy of both the new Monsters University game and book.  This post contains my review of the Monsters University LeapReader/Tag book -- and a chance to win both the Leapfrog game and the book!  Also, check out my review of the Monsters University LeapPad game -- and a chance to get an extra entry to the giveaway!

Leapfrog also invited me to a special information session so we could chat with some of the developers behind both products and get an inside look on how they were made.  It was really interesting to hear how Leapfrog and Disney-Pixar worked hand-in-hand, while the movie was being made, so that kids would get the most authentic, immersive experience. They also tested the book and game out with kids every step of the way.

About the Monsters University 3D Book for LeapReader and Tag
Growing up, Mike and Sulley shared just one dream: to get into the Scaring Program at Monsters University. Join the fun on campus as these two monsters learn to appreciate their differences, develop a lifelong friendship and train to compete in the famous Scare Games! LeapReader brings the story of Monsters University to life with exciting 3D effects and helps build reading comprehension and vocabulary skills! (3D glasses included.)

Leapfrog's Monsters University book lets kids relive the story behind Monsters University and work on their reading skills at the same time.  The book works with the new Leapfrog LeapReader (which is coming out this summer -- stay tuned for more info!) as well as the Leapfrog TAG, which means kids can set their readers to read out whole pages, sentences or words, or help them sound out words when they're ready to read on their own.

In addition to the story, the book has fun learning activities that build vocabulary, logic and reasoning skills.  For example, kids are asked to "Find a monster with spikes who is in front of someone who has three eyes", or "Find a monster who has a lot of purple hair and is to the right of a monster with tentacles".  They're so busy finding the monster, they don't even realize they're learning about colors, numbers and positions.

I love how the vocabulary list is related to the story.  Kids will learn all kinds of monsterrific words like  "creeping", "roaring" and "arachnophobia" by playing games and taking quizzes.  Final exams were never this much fun!

What's new and different about this book is that it comes with a pair of 3D glasses that make the images jump off the page!  It literally adds a new dimension to learning, and it makes kids really want to read the book!  Unfortunately, Leapfrog does not sell extra pairs of 3D glasses, which makes sharing  difficult for multiple siblings.... but fortunately, the book uses proprietary 3D printing technology that keeps the illustrations looking amazing, even when you're not using the 3D glasses!  The kids learn to take turns, and no one has to suffer from double vision :)  (note: if sharing does become a problem, or if your glasses get lost or torn, I recommend contacting Leapfrog customer service to ask if they'll send you an extra pair).

Get free shipping on Leapfrog Monsters University products

Until June 30, get free ground shipping on orders that include any Disney•Pixar Monsters University product!  Use code MONSTERS (Offer valid through 11:59PM PT 6/30/2013).



Win a Leapfrog Monsters University Prize Pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive Leapfrog's Monsters University book for LeapReader/Tag and Monsters University game for LeapPad/Leapster Explorer!

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which feature in Leapfrog's new Monsters University 3D book your child would enjoy the most.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Leave comment on my Monsters University game review post telling me which feature in the game your child would enjoy the most (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Blogger (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

4) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

5) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

6) "Like Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):
I entered the Leapfrog Monsters University giveaway! Enter by July 2 at http://ow.ly/lMKq7

7) Tweet this once per day (1 entry per day)

@leapfrog is giving away a Monsters University book for LeapReader/Tag + game for LeapPad! Enter by 7/2 @bonggafinds http://ow.ly/lMKq7

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you join)

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on July 2, 2013; I will draw a winner at random on July 3 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.



Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Thanks to Leapfrog for providing review samples and prizes for this giveaway. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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