Learning letter sounds is made easy with this portable "smart toy" designed to help children learn phonics basics. After selecting a mode of play, children press light-up buttons that display the letters of the alphabet in lowercase and answer questions or explore sounds and short words.

There are seven levels of play altogether. Starting with a simple abc song, the challenges increase with letter identification, letter sounds, then three-letter words. Some of these levels are learning modes in which kids press letters to hear their names and sounds, and others are quiz-style activities that require children to hunt for given letters. One activity, for example, is freeform style in which children attempt to make three-letter words. The toy recognizes approximately 500 words, and when a child successfully spells out one of them, the toy congratulates them and pronounces the word. If a nonsense word is spelled, each letter is sounded out individually, and the message "I haven't learned that word yet" helps kids to continue to explore.

This toy stands out for its excellent "smart" features. Besides providing encouraging words and congratulations, it offers help when a child is struggling. For example, when children are asked to find a secret word, they are told the word's three letters and are required to spell the word on their own. If a child makes a mistake, the letters are repeated as they light up on the toy. Another mistake will prompt a correct answer sequence in which the word is sounded out as the letters light up.

While there are plenty of electronic toys designed to help children learn to identify letters on the market, this product shines with its smart feedback, clear speech, and convenient size. Every step of the way, children learn important phonics rules, whether they are eagerly following along or simply exploring and making plenty of mistakes.