PodcastsVersion HistoryWhy the LeapPad couldn’t survive the iPadOn Version History: Jennifer Tuohy and Andru Marino learn how a book became one of the top-selling toys in the US. On Version History: Jennifer Tuohy and Andru Marino learn how a book became one of the top-selling toys in the US. by Verge StaffOct 11, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCShareGiftAmelia KralesFor multiple years, the hottest toy in the United States was a book. But not just any book: a smart book that could play sounds and respond to taps and help kids learn to read. However, buying it came with a high price and big parenting questions.On the next episode of Version History, David Pierce is joined by The Verge’s Andru Marino and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy to explain how the LeapPad worked, why it was so enticing to both kids and adults, and why the company that made it could never quite follow it up.
We’re almost finished with our fifth season of Version History, all about the most iconic school tech. We’ve heard Nilay Patel pitch the TI graphing calculator for the hall of fame, the lead game designer of The Oregon Trail make up the scoreboard, and Marques Brownlee reminiscence about the first Chromebook. If you missed any part of our season, check out the episodes here:The Version History podcast feedThe Version History YouTube channelOur TikTok and Instagram accountsIf you’re a Verge subscriber, you can also get access to Version History (and all our other podcasts) with no ads. All you have to do is visit your account settings.If you want to know more about LeapFrog LeapPad’s history, here are some links to get you started:From Wired: “LeapFrog’s Wild Ride”From The New York Times: “LeapFrog Hopes for Next Hit With Interactive Reading Toy”From The Wall Street Journal: A Tablet Children Can Grow IntoFollow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Verge StaffPodcastsVersion HistoryMost Popular‘Pure insanity’: Mathematicians will need years to make sense of OpenAI’s latest dropDecade-old RAM is making a comebackGTA VI leaks continue with a lengthy (and very nude) gameplay videoSatya Nadella says we should assume all AI models are ‘compromised’The Telo MT1 is a big truck trapped in a tiny truck’s bodyAdvertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad
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