Oddly enough, one of the most played with toys around here is one that I wasn't ever sure was going to get a great deal of play. My mother got my daughter the See 'n Say Kids Around the World for Christmas before she was an appropriate age for it, because I liked it, and had a feeling it wouldn't be on the market long, and sure enough, it seems to be long gone. However, she began playing with it immediately, and it's still one of the most commonly carried toys in our house by both her and her two-and-a-half-year-old brother.

::: It's a World of Laughter... :::

The See 'n Say Kids Around the World toy is similar only in shape to the traditional See 'n Say toys. This one is totally electronic, and has two sides. Each side has one of those plastic images that moves as you change your point of view; the green side features Australia, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, and Russia. The blue side features Brazil, Canada, England, France, Mexico, Spain, the USA, and a category called "Land and Sea." Each side has its own On/Off switch and speaker holes, and both have the same six play modes: Facts, Words, Counting, Music, Find, and Do You Know? You can select the mode by sliding a plastic piece with a clear insert to the mode you want.

Turning the See 'n Say Kids Around the World on nets a "Hello" in each of the languages on that side as a red light flashes at each country's location. The Facts mode will share a fact or two about the country you press. The Words mode shares a word in the country's language. Counting counts in the country's native language to five. Music plays a short musical interlude that represents the country's music. Find is a quiz that asks you to press the country called out. Do You Know? questions you about facts relating to the country, and you have to select the country the fact is about.

The See 'n Say Kids Around the World runs on three "AA" batteries, which are included. The voice is a charming child's voice that I can't tell if it is supposed to be a boy or a girl.

::: It's a Small World After All :::

While reading helps with this toy, it isn't a requirement. Beanie played with it long before she could read, as the counties also have a child dressed in native costume next to the country, as well as some identifying feature, like a moose and polar bear near Canada, and the Eiffel Tower near France.

The maps themselves are very over-simplified, but just right for a little one taking his or her first dip into the world of geography. While the graphics give me a screaming headache, the kids seem to like the movement and three-dimensional effect, and the six modes of play on the two sides keep this toy from ever getting boring.

While this is a toy I really wanted for Beanie, I honestly didn't anticipate that she would play with it as much as she has, and the best part is that she asks more questions about the countries that we can go look up together.

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This has been a Kids & Family contribution to the Lean 'n Mean III W/O

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 19.99
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years