by R. Renee Bembry

Created on: February 04, 2008

Pat Pat Rocket is a Fisher Price preschool toy rendition of a Disney cartoon rocket featuring four Little Einstein children - June, Leo, Annie and Quincy - who "supposedly" fly around in the rocket en route to playing games or music or reading stories or doing other fun activities including participating in fairytales and traveling around the world.

Once Pat Pat is "launched" it makes rocket noises and plays classical music. Rolling Pat Pat's wheels along a flat surface speeds up or slows down the music depending on how fast or slow you roll the wheels. Staying in theme with the Einstein Pat Pat Rocket cartoon the idea of the rocket playing music is supposed to help children learn musical terminology like "Allegro" and "Adagio!"

Preschoolers can move the Einstein children in and out of the rocket. When children seat the prodigies in their designated seats Pat Pat signifies that he "recognizes" them.

Pat Pat Rocket also interacts with "Einstein Play Sets" that are sold separately.

Three AA Batteries are required for Pat Pat's operation.

Although some parents seem to love this red plastic toy, others complain its music is too loud and has no volume adjust feature. Some say the rocket is too heavy. The seats are not made to secure the Einstein prodigies so they move around when children "fly" the rocket. The hatch is difficult to open. Plus, in several cases, parents complained their children simply lacked interest in the toy.

Despite its association with education parents say you cannot really learn much from it.

Parents tend to give the toy's durability mixed ratings, from 2 to 5 stars, but its fun level averages 2; and its educational value averages 2. Considering these low averages in conjunction with children lacking interest in playing with the toy - Pat Pat Rocket gets a measly 2 Stars. It seems Disney and Fisher Price missed their marks on this one.

Even though some internet sites are offering Pat Pat for as much as $50.00 it can be purchased at Target or Target.com for $39.99. Another complaint parents had was the toy wasn't worth their money - so anyone wanting to purchase Pat Pat - even just to see for yourself how your child will like it - try not to pay more than the $40.00.

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