E-readers for kids

Ruckus Mobile Media's Pecos Bill App for iPhone/iPad

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Photograph: Courtesy of Fisher-Price

If you've ever wrested your iPad or Kindle out of your child's chocolate-covered fingers, you'll be happy to know that a host of solid e-readers on the market are made especially for kids. My five-year-old daughter, Assata, and I curled up with a few to see how they stack up.

Fisher-Price iXL
Moving graphics keep tykes engaged as they read or listen to a selection of books—including Batman and SpongeBob—which can be bought from an online library ($27 each). Game options were limited, but Assata came across an impressive learn-to-write feature that had her tracing over letters and numbers—she quickly mastered the letter Z (hers is no longer backward!). Plus, 150 megabytes of space on the device means kids can store music and photos. $80; at fisher-price.com. Ages 3 to 7.

Leapfrog Leapster Explorer
This touch-screen gadget sucked Assata in immediately with its visuals—they were as crisp as those of a high-def DVD. As the stories played, the words displayed were clearly in sync with the narration. Assata especially enjoyed the included activities; while reading Disney's Tangled ($25), she was prompted to doodle and color in characters. She also felt she was using a sophisticated product. As with an iPad, kids flip through the pages by swiping their fingers across the screen. $70; at leapfrog.com. Ages 4 to 9.

Vtech V.Reader
While kids navigate movie-based books like Toy Story and Shrek, the corresponding words light up onscreen (little ones can even press on them for pronunciation help). Related reading games help children beef up their literacy skills. Assata took to Word Whacker, a spelling game that displays incomplete words and asks kids to tap moles with the missing letters on their heads. The lowest level was a cinch for her, but the top level was nearly impossible, giving her something to work toward—which she did with gusto. Titles can be downloaded or purchased as cartridges (free–$20). $60; at vtechkids.com. Ages 3 to 7.—Rivka Gewirtz Little

High-tech tales

Despite the tot-geared e-reading options, your child will inevitably still want to play with your grown-up gadgets from time to time. Load up your iPhone or iPad with one of these four apps that put children's literature in the palm of their hands.—Mary Squillace

Dr. Seuss
Choose from favorites like Green Eggs and Ham or Fox in Socks. Kids can read independently or watch the stories play on their own. Sing-song narration captures Seuss's style. $4 per book, for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

MeeGenius
Little ones can select from more than 100 classic stories by famous authors (think Aesop, Beatrix Potter and Mark Twain) and contemporary yarns with this app's extensive e-library. Free–$4, for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Ruckus Media
John Cleese, Meryl Streep and other actors lend their voices to tall tales. Bonus: Some feature musical accompaniment from the likes of B.B. King and Elvis Costello. $2–$3, for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

U-Ventures
Inspired by the Choose Your Own Adventure series, this app lets tykes select different outcomes for each story. By tapping the screen at certain plot points, kids can make choices for the protagonist. $4 for iPad and iPhone.