Why the LeapPad couldn’t survive the iPad
On 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 Staff
Oct 11, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC
Amelia Krales
For 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 ofVersion History, David Pierce is joined byThe 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 ofVersion 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 ofThe Oregon Trailmake up the scoreboard, and Marques Brownlee reminiscence about the first Chromebook. If you missed any part of our season, check out the episodes here:
If you’re aVergesubscriber, you can alsoget access toVersion History(and all our other podcasts) with no ads. All you have to do isvisit your account settings.
If you want to know more about LeapFrog LeapPad’s history, here are some links to get you started:
- FromWired: “LeapFrog’s Wild Ride”
- FromThe New York Times: “LeapFrog Hopes for Next Hit With Interactive Reading Toy”
- FromThe Wall Street Journal:A Tablet Children Can Grow Into
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- Verge Staff
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