Leapfrog has developed the next-generation reading tool for youngsters, the all-new, web-connected Tag Reading system.

A small, sophisticated infrared camera at the tip of the reader, which looks like a large pen, “reads” letters, words and symbols printed on the special dot-patterned pages of books in the Tag reader collection. Designed for children four to eight, the Tag Reading System works with classics such as Olivia or Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise, a favorite in our house, but grows up with the child, offering older activity storybooks with popular characters like SpongeBob SquarePants. (Activity books cost $13.99.)

Three year-olds can choose to read a story line-by-line or hear individual words, teaching themselves to read. Using The PC and Mac-compatible LeapFrog Connect Application designed for the Tag system, parents can download each book’s audio, then drag and drop content onto the reader - just like managing a digital camera or MP3 file. For savvy parents (and that applies to everyone who's reading this), there's a free web app that lets parents actually track what and how their child is learning with their connected products.

The Tag system has 16 MB of on-board flash memory and a built-in USB port, which allows
users to manage up to five books on the reader, enough for even the most voracious little reader. Fortunately for us Mac lovers, the Tag system is the first Mac-compatible LeapFrog product, working with Mac OSX and Windows Vista/XP/2000.

Look for it early summer, for around $49.99 at Leapfrog and wherever smart toys are sold.