I bought this for my mum for christmas. She lives alone with her cat. I thought she would enjoy it but it turned out to be one of the best presents i have ever bought. The way it repeats what you have said, only faster, and then records and repeats your response, or the background laughter, is very funny. My mum still loves it and mentions it during many of our phone calls (she's called him Vincent). Her imagination has created an ongoing friendly competetive relationship between the chatimal and her cat! I would actually go as far as to say that this toy has improved my mum's life. She bought my sister one for her birthday. I'm not sure how sturdy it would be for a small child - probably only to be used with supervision for an under five. But all the children who've seen it are intrigued, and want to chat. Overall, a brilliant idea and cute as anything.