If you're looking for an affordable collection of tried and true activities, this eight-pack of early learning games is a safe choice. The program starts with a panoramic view of Busytown, which is teaming with life and activities. Seven of the town locations lead to a simple game, the eighth lets children watch six animated musical videos. The software is very easy to use, and the Richard Scarry graphics are as appealing as ever. The multilevel games are fun but pretty standard. When you click on the Post Office, for example, you find a matching game. At the Observatory kids can complete dot-to-dot puzzles, and at the Park children will find a maze challenge. We especially liked the ski chalet's word game in which kids match letters at the easiest level and spell words at the hardest level. The program has some weak activities. Testers were quickly bored with the Backyard Stage where they are misleadingly told they can make a story. All they can really do is place a number of props and characters on the stage and watch some of the figures move. Younger testers liked the simplicity of the Art Studio with its painting activities, but older children found the tools and options limited. Finally, we were somewhat disappointed with the dot-to-dot puzzles in that the software doesn't read the letters and numbers aloud- a missed opportunity for teaching. Despite these criticisms, this variety pack is still appealing to kids and their parents. The activities are for the most part engaging, and the Busytown characters and scenery provide a friendly play environment.
Teaches: music, memory, dot to dots, mazes, puzzles, letter and word recognition
Age Range: 3, 4, 5, 6 Copyright © 2000 Children's Software Revue
