Clifford Learning Activities Published on November 16th, 2001

This software lets children explore 10 different learning activities with their gigantic friend, Clifford The Big Red Dog. Clifford, the literary and PBS television star, and his dog pals are trying to win a “Best Dogs Ever” contest sponsored by a magazine. They decide to create a scrapbook to submit to the contest. Players join the canines as they explore their hometown of Birdwell Island. Youngsters use matching, sorting, counting, rhyming, and early reading skills as they lead the pack of dogs through acts of kindness. Every time they help someone, a new snapshot appears in the scrapbook. Some of the good deeds include assembling a playground in Cleo’s backyard. Players put together a jungle gym by matching colored or lettered pipes. They construct a slide by completing patterns, and build a play boat by arranging blocks in grids. The pack of do-gooders also helps the sheriff find his lost keys by navigating a maze; they count fruit for a teacher wanting to make pies and match cloud shapes that rhyme for a writer. Clifford is as charming as he is big, and kid-testers loved playing with him. This software encourages learning in a fun environment. The activities increase in difficulty but are also controllable manually, and there is lots to do with 10 different activities. This Clifford software is tail-wagging fun.
Summary Age  4 - 6 Platform  Windows Mac Price  $20.00 Category  Preschool Grade  ISBN  Company  Scholastic (800) 724-4718 http://www.scholastic.com

Thomas & Friends Railway Adventures CD-ROM Playset Published on November 16th, 2001

This product combines software with a special playset that fits on top of the keyboard. With it, children can “drive” Thomas the Tank Engine through four exciting adventures and four mini-games. The playset is easy to place on top of a standard keyboard because it attaches with a large elasticized Velcro strap. Once in place, children use the playset rather than the mouse to play. The throttle on the playset moves Thomas forward and back. The action lever switches tracks at junctions. The whistle startles things off the tracks and couples cars. By pushing in Thomas’ face button, players get help and hints. As Thomas’ engineer, players lead the useful engine through a busy day of work. In one adventure, players help Thomas find the missing mail truck that Devious Diesel has hidden. Once found, children help sort the mail into cars pulled by James, Percy, and Edward (three animated engines) according to directions. Other adventures involve picking up and delivering passengers, helping to fix a broken bridge, and delivering important supplies. The 3-D graphics are phenomenal as kids whiz around the Island of Sodor, and the playset controls are easy to use. The adventures and mini-games require children to think about the logistics of moving trains and also encourage other learning activities such as sorting and following directions. Kids feel greatly empowered to be driving Thomas and helping him to be “really useful.” All in all, this is a whistle-blowing hoot.
Summary Age  3 - 7 Platform  Windows Price  $40.00 Category  Preschool Grade  ISBN  Company  Infogrames http://www.us.infogrames.com

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