Kasey the Kinderbot is so interactive kids won’t feel like they’re being fed yet more education. Just don’t mention that he’s a "learning toy." Play up all of the top-notch bells and whistles: a cute noggin holding great-sounding speakers; limbs that rotate wherever you’d expect them to; and large, color-coded buttons and lights. Kasey’s 40+ functions supplement the educational regimens kids are already studying, and a few others: reading, math, phonics, spelling, problem-solving, observation, art, physical fitness, foreign languages, animal identification, and even etiquette. And get this: Kasey also offers music and stretch breaks between lessons. He comes with one cartridge loaded with a bevy of entertaining lessons; other learning cartridges can be purchased separately. The only downsides: there is no computer port for downloading, no power adapter cord to let you avoid buying more of the required "D" batteries, and the LCD screen is only 2.5 square inches, with no color. Requires three "D" batteries (not included). --Diane Beall
