VTech: the place for fun and smart play.

• Position: What's New?

Since 1980, VTech has been developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children's development through fun and smart play. From infant playthings to reading systems, these electronic learning toys offer age-appropriate benefits for babies through grade school-aged kids.

Youngsters ages three to seven will love learning to read with V.Reeder ($59.99)--an interactive e-reading system. Stories come to life through animated books on a 3.5" color touch screen. Readers can follow along with the story or touch the screen to hear the words or play reading games. It teaches core reading skills, including comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, and word building. By tracing handwriting strokes on the touch screen, children can learn to write letters, numbers, and words properly. The V.Reader comes preloaded with the What's That Noise storybook and fun applications such as a Photo Viewer, Video Player, and art activities. E-books, avatars, and themes can be downloaded at www.vtechkids.com, where parents also can track progress.

Additional storybook cartridges offer new stories and adventures and feature a fully narrated and animated story, reading skill games, and a Story Dictionary. Books can be chosen according to age level and interest, with many popular characters, such as Dora, Winnie-the-Pooh, Shrek, etc., available. For instance, Scooby-Doo! and a Mummy, Too! ($19.99)--a spooky adventure set in an ancient Egyptian exhibit--is intended for ages five to seven, and includes eight fun games to strengthen reading skills. Readers can touch the characters to see animations; listen to the entire story; touch individual words to hear them read aloud; or touch highlighted words for illustrated definitions.

The 2-in-1 Discovery Table ($39.99) converts from a drawing table to an electronic learning center, featuring a variety of interactive buttons and switches. The activity center features a piano key ruler, book, clock, shape buttons, gears, and a turning pencil cup. It makes sounds and lights up when touched. Children will learn about colors, counting, numbers, shapes, and more. The desk converts easily to a drawing table by rotating within the frame. The drawing side features a button to...