As a mother of six I strongly believe that children from a young age need to explore their world through hands-on activities, using their imagination, and limited screen time. Reading, puzzles, Legos, blocks, playing outside, and products like Storypod are what children need to grow their minds. I was totally blown away with all the amazing components built into this device. The Crafties are absolutely adorable and so soft. I found myself enjoying the recording just as much as the children. This would be the perfect gift to give an expectant mother at a baby shower.

Storypod grows with your child and so it�s a great investment that your child or children will use for years. Another great plus is that it doesn't need batteries. Storypod uses a Micro USB Charging Cable to charge the device. The device has a 10-hour battery life once charged.

The books and stories are so much more than an author reading a story - there are music, sound effects, and educational facts tucked throughout the stories. As an early childhood educator, I fell in love with this toy for so many reasons. The developing skills learned -the language and literacy, music and rhyme, independence and self-help skills, the creative dramatic play, and cognitive and critical thinking skills, make this a very versatile learning toy. Kids do not even know they are learning. They play games and have fun; it is an excellent balance between toys, education, and technology. The app on the adult's phone allows control over the technology while allowing the child to explore and learn freely. I look forward to adding more Crafties and books to our Storypod.

The Storypod has an easy setup; it walks you through step by step. I love that Storypod fosters independence. It puts the child in control of music and stories; all offered in a child-friendly package. The kids can push buttons and discover how to make things happen independently, while the adult has control through the app on their phone. The Storypod has an impressive sound quality controlled on the Storypod and by the parent-controlled phone app. The removable soft yarn toys "Crafties" that activate different songs and stories are also enjoyed as non-technology dramatic play objects. The Crafties become the pieces children can recreate the stories they heard on the Storypod or create their own imaginative stories and play.

The iCrafie allows for distanced families to be connected. Family can record books, messages, or music through the phone app. Then when the iCraftie is placed on the Storypod, they can hear the voice of their loved one. A fun, cute way of connecting families who may not be together. As an early childhood educator, I appreciate the Storypod screen-less technology concept and optional educational emails you receive about screen time and children's brain development. I am always telling parents about the adverse effects screens have on a developing brain. Storypod highlights the product pros through researched-based evidence.

I love that it is an interactive toy and can be used with children from basically birth through childhood. Quality product and very well made. A lot of variety of options for play.

Language and literacy, music and rhyme, independence and self-help skills, creative dramatic play, imagination, listening, counting, STEM Learning, movement, colors, and cognitive and critical thinking skills were all learned and practiced using Storypod.