LeapFrog Alphabet and Numbers DVDs {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Summer!}

When I think of the brands of the items that my children play and interact with, LeapFrog definitely comes to mind... as the creator of educational toys and fun handheld electronic games.

So, when I heard that they teamed up with Lionsgate Home Entertainment to release two new DVDs for 2011, it took my brain a little while to get used to the concept before realizing that I was sure both of my kids would be extremely interested in seeing them. Combine the fun of discovery and learning that LeapFrog is known for with a cute way to bring their beloved characters to life and what was there not to love?

And, as soon as LeapFrog: The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park and LeapFrog: Numbers Ahoy arrived and we saw the bright colors and smiling faces on the boxes, we were all ready to sit down to take a look.

Big Sister E decided that we should watch "the movie about the letters" first, so we sat back to see what adventures Tad, Lily and Scout the puppy would entertain us with in The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park.

As soon as the colorful images and jazzy music came on the screen, Big Sister E and Little Sister B were sold. They sat riveted to the screen watching Edison, a firefly friend of Tad, Lily and Scout, bring them to the place of his childhood dreams only to discover that Alistair Alphabelly's Amazing Amusement Park is closed.

When Edison gets stuck atop the Fantastical Ferris Wheel, they discover that in order to turn on the rides in the park they have to use the magic of the alphabet. By learning all of the upper and lowercase letters through word and song, Tad, Lily and Scout work together to save their friend and, of course, save the day!

As this movie went on, I noticed that not only was it extremely mesmerizing, but that it was at least 10 minutes into the DVD before either of my kids made a sound or even looked away from the screen. And that was only for Big Sister E to let me know that "we want to watch the numbers DVD after this one is done."

All in all, the 39 minute running time was just enough that the storyline was completed and there were enough fun and cute songs to keep things moving. I was impressed with how LeapFrog managed to incorporate educational and learning aspects while somehow not making a movie that felt overly stuffy or like kids were directly being taught something.

When it came time to watch Numbers Ahoy, I wondered if the thrill of something new would have worn off... but it didn't. Big Sister E and Little Sister B were just as excited to see where Tad, Lily and Scout's adventure under the sea would take them (and us).

This time Edison is bringing the group on a journey to help with a little number sense for a complicated game, but a pirate mistakenly captures Scout! Tad and Lily must use their new understanding of counting, grouping and estimating to rescue him and navigate the deep while facing foes such as sharks and crab henchmen (even Pirate Pythagoras himself) and begin to see numbers in a whole new way.

About halfway through the 35 minute running time of this DVD, Big Sister E turned to me and said, "I like this show. Do you know why? I like the pirates." Whatever works, I guess! Both she and Little Sister B watched Numbers Ahoy with just as much intensity as The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park and, considering that they were learning at the same time, I was happy about their enjoyment!

A name that parents already know and trust, LeapFrog has managed to incorporate education with fun in both of these great DVDs (ARV $14.98 each). What a great way to keep children engaged with letters and numbers in a unique and outstanding way! There are even bonus features on both DVDs that include "curriculum commentary" from child experts about ways to help your child learn the basics of language and math.

And, thanks to the generosity of LeapFrog, one person will get to bring the joy of learning to the child in their life as well, because...

One lucky person will win The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park AND Numbers Ahoy from LeapFrog!

To enter to win: Tell me who these fun and educational DVDs would be for/why you would like to win them.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow LeapFrog on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to WIN LeapFrog's 2 new DVDs (ARV $30), Amazing Alphabet and Numbers Ahoy! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/fJ8uYd #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
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Giveaway will end on February 18th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to LeapFrog for providing their new DVDs for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.