Story Reader Video+
Story Reader
My First Story Reader©
Interactive DVD Book
Sight ‘n Sound Book
Magic Wand Book
Surprise Mirror Book
Sing-Along Microphone Book
Cash Register Book
Puppet Playhouse Book
It is important for parents to create an early love of reading in their children. Family Reading Night is a simple yet powerful activity you can introduce in your own home to foster the habit of reading with the whole family.
How does it work?
Studies show an alarming decline in reading rates among all age groups in America, especially among our young. Our children are bombarded on a daily basis with multiple forms of entertainment that compete with traditional learning.
However, kids naturally emulate the adults in their lives, and seeing their parents and other family members enjoy reading is a powerful motivator. Establishing and keeping a Family Reading Night helps families reclaim special time together and helps form lifelong reading habits that will drive later success in school and adult life.
Young children are impressionable and are influenced at a very young age by their environment and the adults in their lives. And studies show that avid readers are more successful in their education and more engaged in society. So why not set the right example for your children and give them the tools they need to start off on the right foot? Make the right choices for your child by starting a Family Reading Night, and encourage a love of reading in your home!
You can never start too early to instill the love of reading in a child. Here are some tips for the littlest learners in your household to enjoy Family Reading Night:
Dear Parents, Families and Educators:
Family Reading Night is an outstanding opportunity to foster a love of reading with your child that will last a lifetime. Does your child love reading? Is reading (or being read to) an activity your child would choose over TV or video games? Most likely, your answer is “no.†In fact, a recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts shows that reading in America is in dramatic decline, with the steepest downturn occurring among the youngest age groups.
Although many American families recognize the importance of reading with and to their children, too few have incorporated dedicated reading time into their busy household schedules. Family Reading Night is a simple but powerful way to reclaim precious family “together-time†while developing positive, lifelong reading habits in your children that could have a dramatic impact on their education and their future.
Please join me in creating a Family Reading Night in your home!
Thank you,
Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland began her career as a supermodel, but today is known as a successful businessperson and entrepreneur. As CEO and chief designer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, Kathy was recently named one of INC. magazine's Top 10 Celebrity Entrepreneurs, joining the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Paul Newman, and Francis Ford Coppola, among others.
The mission at Kathy Ireland Worldwide is finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.†Kathy herself has been recognized as a “best friend to working mothers†by the Associated Press and London Times. She was named Outstanding Mother of the Year by the National Mother's Day Committee and Businesswoman of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners. Kathy is honored to serve as PTA's first National Ambassador for Youth.
Kathy launched her company in 1993 when she introduced her unique perspective to American women with a collection of socks. Her success inspired her to expand her design and entrepreneurial vision to other family-focused product areas. Today, the apparel, jewelry, publishing and home furnishings company brings in more than $1 billion in annual retail sales, and marked a milestone in 2004 when it sold its 100 millionth pair of socks. The company's Home collection recently received the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal for consumer excellence.
With the 2005 introduction of her first children's books, Kathy further extends her commitment to “finding solutions for busy families, especially busy moms.†Her books debut as the newest additions to the widely popular Story Reader© family. Published by Publications International, Ltd., Story Reader is the best-selling line of preschool books in the country. As the first-ever electronic storybook reader for kids aged three to eight, the award-winning Story Reader almost magically reads aloud as each page is turned. Kathy's full-color, 24-page books will be the first works in the Story Reader collection by a publicly known figure, and will feature narration in Kathy's own voice.
In addition to her many accomplishments, Kathy dedicates considerable time to philanthropic efforts, and was named by UCLA as one of the top 10 women's health advocates in America. She is active in the Special Olympics, and partners with Feed The Children, underwriting the distribution of 170,000 pounds of food, clothing and toys to children in need across the nation. She also mentors teenage mothers with the Kathy Ireland Mentor Tea, through Athletes and Entertainers for Kids (AEFK).
In 2002, Kathy penned Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons That Will Change Your Life, co-authored with New York Times writer Laura Morton, which is currently in its third printing. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Greg, an emergency room physician, and their three children, Erik, Lily and Chloe.
August 8, 2006 - New Ways To Read and Play:
Story Reader© Offers Two New Products
for Holiday 2006
Q. I'm experiencing technical difficulty while trying to place my order, can you help?
A. To purchase items from our site, you need to place them in your electronic shopping cart. Please follow the steps listed below.
- Find the item(s) that you are interested in purchasing.
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- Fill out your billing and shipping information to complete your checkout. We do not recommend using an auto-fill program for your personal information as it does not always fill in the required fields correctly.
- Verify the items on your order and that the shipping information is correct. Orders cannot be modified after they are submitted.
- Submit Order.
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If you need to contact us for further assistance, please be prepared with the following information:
Q. While trying to place an order I received a message that my credit card can not be verified. What does this mean?
A. The most common problem is errors during entering. When you enter the number, please type very carefully. Enter only the numerical keys in the same order they appear on the card. Please also verify that the billing address that you entered matches the address where you receive your credit card statements. If the credit card number and billing address are correct, you will need to contact your bank for further information.
Q. Is your online store secure for shopping?
A. For your protection, we use the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to prevent any private information you enter from being intercepted. Please also note the “live†Hacker Safe mark in our cart. This mark only appears when a web site's security meets the highest security scanning standards of the U.S. government, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB.
Q. Why do I sometimes get a message that the server is busy, unavailable, or unable to locate the page when I try to log into the website?
A. Our site receives quite a bit of traffic, especially during the holiday season! We attempt to balance our traffic load but sometimes the demand exceeds our capabilities. Please be assured we're doing our best to meet your needs. We appreciate your patience. If you receive a message about the server being unable to locate the DNS entry, please make sure you have typed in the correct Web site address, and try again. If you continue to have difficulties, quit the browser, re-launch it, and try the Web site address again.
Q. What is your return policy?
A. Story Reader Video +, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© Products
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: All Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© products may be returned within 30 days of purchase for a full product refund or product replacement. Refunds will be issued to the billing name and address on the original order. Original shipping charges will not be refunded.
90-DAY WARRANTY: Story Reader Video + TM, Story Reader TM, and My First Story Reader TM warranty claims should be completed online or by contacting Customer Service at 1-800-454-9006 prior to returning a defective unit for replacement. Further instructions will be given once a warranty claim has been completed. Please note: This warranty does not include books and accessories.
Electronic Books/Quiet Time Books
All electronic books and quiet time books may be returned within 30 days for a product replacement only. Refunds will not be processed.
A copy of the packing slip must be included in the return shipment. We recommend that all returns be shipped via UPS or insured United States Postal Service for your protection. Publications International is not responsible for returned items lost during shipping.
Q. Can I make an exchange?
A. Unfortunately, we are not able to process exchanges.
Q. Can I cancel an order after it has been placed?
A. Unfortunately, once an order is submitted, it cannot be cancelled. However, all orders may be returned. Please see our return policy.
Q. Can I change an order after it has been placed?
A. Unfortunately, once an order is submitted, it cannot be changed. However, all orders may be returned. Please see our return policy.
Q. Can I place an order with a foreign credit card?
A. All orders must be placed with a valid credit card from the United States or Canada.
Q. Do I have to pay sales tax on my order?
A. If your order is shipped to Illinois or Canada, you will pay the appropriate sales tax and any applicable local taxes.
Q. How are the shipping fees calculated?
A. The shipping fees are based on the total number of items in your order and include the cost of processing your order, handling and packaging your products, and delivering them to you or your designated recipients. The minimum shipping rate is $6.50. Expedited shipping is available for addresses within the continental US for an additional cost (see shipping restrictions). Delivery dates are estimates only. Please use expedited shipping to ensure arrival by a specific date. Canadian Customs requires Canadian recipients to pay Customs and Duties on each shipment.
Q. When will I receive my order?
A. Delivery calculation begins the day the order is shipped. Orders are typically shipped within one business day of being placed. (Business days are Monday - Friday, not including holidays.) Delivery dates are estimates only.
| Orders Shipping within the United States: | |
| Standard Shipping* | December 10 by 12pm CST |
| - APO/FPO Addresses | November 13 by 12pm CST |
| Ground Shipping* | December 17 by 3pm CST |
| 2-day Shipping* | December 20 by 3pm CST |
| Orders Shipping to Canada: | |
| UPS to Canada* | December 10 by 3pm CST |
* Guarantee Disclaimer
The 12/24/2007 delivery guarantee is contingent upon the customer supplying StoryReader.com with correct delivery information.
Orders placed after these deadlines are not guaranteed to arrive by 12/24/2007.
Shipments within the United States:
STANDARD SHIPPING - 6-12 Business days
UPS GROUND SHIPPING - 3-5 Business days
UPS 2nd DAY SHIPPING - 2 Business days
Shipments to Canada:
UPS STANDARD SHIPPING - 5-10 Business days
Orders Returned Undeliverable Occasionally orders are returned to us as undeliverable. When the carrier returns an undeliverable order, we will notify you of the return and issue a refund for the purchase amount.
We are unable to re-ship orders that are returned as undeliverable. If you would still like to purchase items that were undeliverable, you are welcome to place another order with a new shipping address.
Q. Why was my package undeliverable?
A. Packages may be deemed undeliverable by a shipping carrier for any of the following reasons:
Story Reader© Video +
Q. How can I listen to the story?
A. First, insert the story cartridge into the slot in the top of the unit. The cartridge label should be facing up. Next, open the unit and insert the book that matches the cartridge by aligning the spiral with the grooves in the base. Press the spiral gently into place. The title of the book should be facing up. A short rising musical sound will play to let you know that you have inserted the book properly. Then, Open the book and start reading! To stop reading, close the Reader. You can remove the book from the reader by gently lifting the spiral from the grooves. Story Reader© Video + will shut off automatically to conserve battery life. To restart the Reader, simply turn a page in the book.
Q. How can I watch the animated story?
A. First, insert the story cartridge into the slot in the top of the unit. The cartridge label should be facing up. Remove the A/V cables from the storage compartment located inside the front cover of the Reader. With the Reader closed and the TV turned off, plug the single end of the cable into the A/V jack on the top of the Reader and the other end into the “Audio In†and “Video In†jacks on your TV set. NOTE: The A/V jacks are located in different placed depending on your TV. Please check your owner's manual for the location of the jacks on your television.
Turn on your TV and change the settings to “Video In†or “Line inâ€. An LED light on the Reader will indicate proper connection. (The light is surrounded by a small TV graphic near the handle on the Reader). Then open the book and start watching! As you turn the pages, the animated story will automatically appear on the television screen. Story Reader© Video+ will automatically turn off after 10 minutes of non-use to conserve battery life. NOTE: The TV Screen will go blank. To restart the Reader, simply turn a page in the book.
Q. How can I play the interactive learning games?
A. First, insert the story cartridge into the slot in the top of the unit with the cartridge label facing up. Remove the A/V cables from the storage compartment located inside the front cover of the Reader. With the Reader closed and the TV turned off, plug the single end of the cable into the A/V jack on the top of the Reader and the other end into the “Audio In†and “Video In†jacks on your TV set. NOTE: The A/V jacks are located in different placed depending on your TV. Please check your owner's manual for the location of the jacks on your television.
Then remove the controller from the storage compartment. With the Reader closed, plug the controller into the jack on the bottom of the unit. Turn on your TV and change the settings to “Video In†or “Line inâ€. An LED light on the Reader will indicate proper connection. (The light is surrounded by a small TV graphic near the handle on the Reader).
Open the book to the menu page, which is the last page of the book. The reader will automatically identify the page you are on, and the menu screen will appear on the television. If the controller is properly connected, an LED light above the jack will light up. Follow the audio instructions, using the directional controller and enter button to choose and play games and activities. To stop playing a game at any time, simply turn to a different page in the book. Story Reader© Video+ will automatically turn off after 10 minutes of non-use to conserve battery life. NOTE: The TV Screen will go blank. To restart the Reader, simply turn a page in the book.
Q. How does the Story Reader© Video + know which book to read?
A. Each Story Reader© Video + book comes with a storybook and matching cartridge. When both are inserted into the base unit, the Story Reader© Video + knows which book your child has chosen to read. The Story Reader© Video +'s patented technology automatically recognizes what page the child is viewing, allowing him or her to control the experience.
Q. How many additional Story Reader© Video + books are available?
A. There are currently 4 additional Story Reader© Video + books available, featuring Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, Elmo, and Scooby-Doo.
Q. Are Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© books cross-compatible?
A. No. Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© books are not cross-compatible due to the difference in technology required for each product.
Q. How does Story Reader© work?
A. First, insert the story cartridge into the slot in the top of the unit. The cartridge label should be facing up. Next, open the unit and insert the book that matches the cartridge by aligning the spiral with the grooves in the base. Press the spiral gently into place. The title of the book should be facing up. A short rising musical sound will play to let you know that you have inserted the book properly. Then, Open the book and start reading! To stop reading, close the Reader. You can remove the book from the reader by gently lifting the spiral from the grooves. Story Reader© Video + will shut off automatically to conserve battery life. To restart the Reader, simply turn a page in the book.
Q. How does the Story Reader© know which book to read?
A. Each Story Reader© book comes with a storybook and matching cartridge. When both are inserted into the base unit, the Story Reader© knows which book your child has chosen to read. The Story Reader©'s patented technology automatically recognizes what page the child is viewing, allowing him or her to control the experience.
Q. How many additional Story Reader© books are available?
A. There are more than 60 interchangeable Story Reader© story books and sing along books currently available, featuring children's all-time favorite characters such as Dora the Explorer, Scooby-Doo, Winnie-the-Pooh, Disney Princess, Sesame Street, Finding Nemo, SpongeBob Squarepants, and more.
Q. How does the Sing Along series work?
A. The sing along books include sheet music and song lyrics on each page. When the microphone is attached to your Story Reader©, it allows children to sing along and hear their own voice through the microphone.
Q. Are there accessories available for Story Reader©?
A. Yes, additional accessories are available including a Story Reader© backpack, child-size headphones, an A/C Adapter, and auto adapter.
Q. We lost the cartridge for one of our Story Reader© books, is there a way to purchase a replacement cartridge only?
A. Unfortunately, we do not carry replacement cartridges.
Q. What type of batteries does the Story Reader© use?
A. The Story Reader© requires 4 AAA Batteries.
Q. Are Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© books cross-compatible?
A. No. Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© books are not cross-compatible due to the difference in technology required for each product.
Q. How does My First Story Reader© work?
A. Each My First Story Reader© book comes with a storybook and matching cartridge. When both are inserted into the base unit, the My First Story Reader© allows the child to choose from two different modes: Read to Me Mode or Activity Mode. Read to Me Mode allows the child to hear the story read along with fun sounds and music as they turn the pages. In Activity Mode, the My First Story Reader© will ask the child to answer simple questions about colors, shapes, and more.
Q. How many additional My First Story Reader© books are available?
A. There are currently six My First Story Reader© books available in addition to the three Baby Einstein books that come with the base unit. Additional books feature popular characters including Sesame Street and Winnie the Pooh.
Q. Do the My First Story Reader© Baby Einstein books require a cartridge?
A. No. All three Baby Einstein stories are programmed directly into the My First Story Reader© unit. Additional stories will require a cartridge to work correctly.
Q. We lost the cartridge for our My First Story Reader© books, is there a way to purchase a replacement cartridge only?
A. Unfortunately, we do not carry replacement cartridges.
Q. What type of batteries does My First Story Reader© require?
A. My First Story Reader© requires 3 AAA Batteries.
Q. Are Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© books cross-compatible?
A. No. Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© books are not cross-compatible due to the difference in technology required for each product.
Q. How can I purchase additional batteries for my electronic book?
A. You can purchase additional batteries by mailing your check/money order to:
Publications International, Ltd.
PO Box 8093 - Dept. B36
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8093
Please include the battery offer (included in your sound book) or a letter including your name, address, phone number, and how many sets of batteries you would like to purchase. Each set includes three long-life batteries, screw and screwdriver. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of mail in orders.
Sets are priced as follows:
2 sets $ 5.99
3 sets $ 7.99
5 sets $10.99
10 sets $19.99
Prices include shipping and handling.
Q. I am having trouble programming the remote for my ActiveMinds® DVD book, am I doing something wrong?
A. Please confirm that you are following these troubleshooting instructions.
Q. We lost a few game pieces from our Interactive Play a sound book, are there replacement pieces available?
A. No, unfortunately, we do not carry replacement game pieces.
Q. How do I download additional workbook pages for my Sight 'n Sound book?
A. Please reference the back cover of your Sight 'n Sound book for the book code and corresponding website address.
Q. Is there an answer key for the Look and Find© or My First Look and Find© Books?
A. No. Unfortunately, an answer key is not available for the Look and Find© or My First Look and Find© books.
Q. Is my product under warranty?
A. Story Reader© Video+, Story Reader©, and My First Story Reader© units have a warranty that is valid for a period of three months from the original purchase date, under normal use and operation. This warranty does not include books and accessories purchased separately. Electronic books do not qualify as a warranty item.
Q. What is the Story Reader© Warranty Policy?
A. This Publications International, Ltd. product is warranted only to the original purchaser for a period of three months from the original purchase date, under normal use and operation, to be free from defects in workmanship and materials. This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by accident or unreasonable use immersion in water, neglect, abuse, battery leakage or improper installation, improper service, or other causes not arising out of defect in workmanship or materials. If this product does not operate as warranted above, customer's sole remedy for breach of that warranty shall be replacement or repair of the product or part or refund of the purchase price paid, at Publications International Ltd.'s option. To the full extent allowed by law, the foregoing warranties and remedies are exclusive and are in lieu of all other warranties, terms, or conditions of merchantability, fitness of a particular purpose, satisfactory quality, correspondence with description, and non-infringement, all of which are expressly disclaimed. Some countries, states, or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or the limitation of incidental or consequential damage for certain products supplied to consumer or the limitation of liability for personal injury, so the above limitation and exclusions may be limited to their applicable written warranty. During the warranty period, your product will be repaired or replaced at Publications International, Ltd.'s option, as instructed by a Publications International, ltd. Service representative. In the event that your product is replaced, the replacement will be covered under the original warranty or for thirty days, whichever is longer.
Q. How do I submit a warranty registration or claim?
A. You can submit a warranty registration by mailing in the warranty registration card or online. Should you need to place a warranty claim, you can request a replacement online or by calling 1-800-454-9006. Do not discard of your Story Reader©, as you will be required to send in certain elements as a proof of purchase.
Publications International (PIL) and its affiliates are very aware that privacy and the protection of personal information are concerns for many users of the Internet.
Personal Information
As a general policy, we do not attempt to automatically collect personal information about users of any PIL web site. We do, however, collect certain non-personal site user information through the operation of the PIL Internet servers. This information is used to improve the performance of the site, enhance the user experience, and ensure the satisfaction of site visitors.
The information tracked includes the type of operating system in use, the type of browser used by the visitor, the pages visited, and the data requested. We use this information internally to analyze site traffic on an anonymous basis. From time to time PIL may distribute analyses and summary reports about the operation of its web site, each of which may contain anonymous information. E-mail addresses and other personal information or data are known only when it is voluntarily submitted.
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Publications International may grant access to our database to third party vendors, as necessary, in connection with technical or fulfillment services provided to PIL. However, such disclosures are subject to non-disclosure commitments by third parties.
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Most web browsers automatically accept cookies. By changing the options on your web browser or using certain software programs, you can control how and whether cookies will be accepted by your browser. PIL supports your right to block any unwanted Internet activity, especially that of unscrupulous websites. However, blocking PIL's cookies may disable certain features on our site and may make it impossible to purchase or use certain services available on the site. Please note that it is possible to block cookie activity from certain web sites while permitting cookies from sites you trust, like PIL's.
PIL web sites offer links to other Internet sites. We make every effort to link only to other sites that share a respect for web site users' privacy. However, PIL is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these other sites.
PIL reserves the right to change this policy at any time and will immediately post a revised and updated policy on all sites affected.
Email Inquiries
info@storyreader.com
Phone Inquiries or to place your order over the phone
800-454-9006
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Warranty Registration
Online Warranty Claims
Warranty Claim Request
Corporate Office:
Publications International, Ltd.
7373 N. Cicero Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
847-676-3470 (phone)
847-676-3671 (fax)
European Office:
UK_CS@pubint.com
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AU_CS@pubint.org.au
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