Introducing Kibeam: The Screen-Free AI-Powered Device Bringing Regular Books to Life
A team of creators, writers, engineers, designers, teachers and education experts from LeapFrog and beyond have come together to author the next chapter in edtech
OAKLAND, CALIF., June 30, 2025 – Kibeam is redefining early childhood literacy education with the launch of Kibeam Wand: a first-of-its-kind, screen-free, AI-powered handheld device that reinforces foundational reading skills through immersive storytelling and play-based learning.
Designed to build PreK–3 learners’ literacy skills and grounded in the Science of Reading, the Kibeam Wand Reading System creates a multisensory, kinetic experience that nurtures vocabulary development, phonological awareness and sustained engagement. As students point the Wand’s HappyBeam™ at a page, sentences, words, letters and pictures, the story comes alive with real-talent character voices, music and sound effects. In addition, each book in the Kibeam library is packed with hours of interactive, kinetic, reading activities and learning games to help students playfully grow into confident readers.
The Kibeam Wand was designed by a team of former LeapFrog creators, writers, engineers and education experts united by a vision to transform how children learn to read.
“Twenty-five years ago, we launched the LeapFrog LeapPad to help reduce screen time and nurture reading, and helped 4-7 year old kids in 77% of U.S. households improve their literacy skills,” said Jim Marggraff, CEO and Founder of Kibeam and inventor of the LeapFrog LeapPad. “Against a similar environment of concerns over too much childhood screen time and low reading proficiency, we want to replicate and increase our impact to create a new generation of engaged, enthusiastic readers.”
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. children struggle to read proficiently. Kibeam aims to ensure children are ready for two crucial landmarks of early development: first, that they are ready to learn entering kindergarten and second, that they become proficient readers by grade four. Kibeam helps children hit these goals by enhancing their exposure to more vocabulary and improving their engagement with physical books. This mission is already providing dividends: in a 2024/25 pilot with the University of Florida’s Lastinger Center of Education of 60,000 families, the Kibeam Wand demonstrated up to 5-7x more engagement time with books.
The Kibeam Wand seamlessly integrates into existing classroom routines—like circle time, small group instruction and learning centers—making it easy for educators to enhance instructional time. In addition, the Kibeam Wand equips educators with access to real-time data to monitor progress, tailor support and obtain embedded assessments. To ensure ease of adoption, Kibeam provides comprehensive implementation support, including virtual coaching, office hours, training and ongoing weekly communication.
“I’m impressed with how the Kibeam Wand promotes children’s early reading development and engagement. Its capacity to generate detailed student-level data—while captivating learners through screen-free, play-based learning—is a breakthrough in research and classroom practice,” said Dr. Anne Cunningham, Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development, U.C. Berkeley School of Education.
The Kibeam Wand is available to PreK classrooms for the 25-26 academic year. To learn more about the Kibeam Wand, visit: https://kibeam.com.
About Kibeam
Kibeam is transforming the way young children learn to read. Founded by Jim Marggraff, inventor of the LeapPad, Kibeam combines the magic of storytelling with a Science of Reading-backed literacy approach to spark joy, focus and curiosity in early readers. Its flagship product, the Kibeam Wand, is a first-of-its-kind, screen-free, AI-powered handheld device that brings regular, physical books to life through sound effects, music and character voices, enabling children to engage deeper, for longer. At Kibeam, we aspire to be the leading force in improving literacy by making every child’s reading journey more accessible, playful and effective. To learn more, visit kibeam.com.
Media Contact
Colleen Raona
kibeam@finnpartners.com
313.209.4971
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