I bought this toy a couple of years ago for my baby in a desperate bid to fill her christmas stocking. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised! The price is very affordable, and the toy is well-made for the money. The size is slightly bigger than an ice cream cone, and my baby was able to hold it herself easily from about six months - a big bonus when you see some of the mammothly heavy toys on the market for wee ones?! I would say it suits age 6 months to 3 years best, but the child may play with it beyond that (as my 6-yr-old does!)

We are a family of self-confessed Francophiles, and so the fact that this is bilingual and sings in French as well as English was a major selling point for me. I am not convinced it had much educational value for my baby when she was small, but now she is two and repeats the French songs I am sure it can only be a good thing.

The mic has three settings - English, French or Instrumental. With babies it is pot luck which one they find, unless they let you help. The tune is the same for each. The head of the mic also twists to different song settings within each language - so the elephant pic gives the "Animal rock" song ("Lion roars with his mouth open wide...."), the apples (my personal fave) lead to "Please, please, please" song, which is about asking for bread, biscuits and apples (or "pommes" in the French mode.... you get the idea!)

It has a switch to change the volume to loud or quiet too, which can be useful. The singing voice is clear and British sounding, and less annoying than some toys. The tunes are catchy if a little electronic. After a couple of years of use, the pics have ever so slightly started to fade, but generally the toy has held up well to wear and tear. I am considering buying this same toy as a present since we enjoy ours so much!