Customer Reviews

The Little Prince

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had read "Le Petit Prince" many years ago when I was a child. It was given to me as a gift, and at the time I put it away. A few years later I dusted it off and gave it another try. Then, in a literature class we read the book again. Many of my friends loved "Le Petit Prince." Our campus in Québec even had a showcase window with all of the "Little Prince" merchandise you could want. But somehow the story was lost on me.

Along came this marvellous software from German publisher Tivola. Contrary to what some reviewers have said, I found that installing and using the software to be very easy. Once I opened the box there was a small manual that covered the interface, gameplay and troubleshooting that got me started on my way.

The game interface on "The Little Prince" is the coolest interactive menu I have ever seen. You start out floating through the universe, past stars, the moon, spinning planets populated by characters from the book...you can move in any direction, accompanied by soothing spacemusic.

There are several different options with the software. You can have the story narrated and click on interactive illustrations, care for the Little Prince's home and rose on Asteroid B-612, explore an interactive biography of the author Antoine de Saint-Éxupéry, play the Fox Taming game on Earth that, when you tame him, you are given access to personalized stationary and a diary. All of the animations and music are top-notch. This is a labour of love that finally breathed life into "Le Petit Prince" for me. I entered his world and saw things through his eyes. Perfect for children of all ages (including grown-up ones).

I loved reading this book in French class years ago and when I saw this version I knew I had to have it. Kenneth Branagh does an excellent job reading the text (in English, a French version is not included) as well as the other narrators. The voice of the Little Prince is one to cherish. The cd-rom includes a reading of the story along with the text and some animation. The text is not always shown for those of you who want to use this to teach your child to read, but where the text is not shown, animation or a picture helps the reader understand. Also included are activities such as taking care of Asteroid B-612 and taming the fox. When you successfully tame the fox, which takes some patience, you are rewarded with a personal diary and printable stationary. The music which accompanies the reading is high quality. I am so impressed with the quality or this cd-rom that I plan to buy more titles published by Tivola.

I originally was disappointed with this software but my son finally figured out how to use it. It's not as user-friendly as the software we're used to buying but your patience is worth it. The reading of the story, along with the pictures and music, is superb. It allows the reader to imagine with the story, unlike much American software which turns reading into a video-watching experience. The story has over 20 chapters, and has kept my 8-year old's attention. I highly recommend this software.

This book was known by every child in my country. I was suspicious about its computer version, but was delighted with what Tivola did. They fully preserved the spirit of this masterpiece and offered something that stands way out from any other children's products that I've seen and that money can buy. The only thing I don't understand (in fact I do...) is why Amazon dares to put this book/CD in the same ballpark with Dr.Seuss!!! They could afford hiring those who feel the difference. Anyway, if you don't find this book/CD a jewel, you must be either a real "sad old man" or one of the characters described in the Little Prince. I truly hope you are not either one of those!

This is a beautiful, gentle, interactive presentation of "The Little Prince". Clicking on the celestial objects moving across the stars are your keys to the story and yield interesting information. For example, clicking on Saturn is your gateway to the story.

The story is presented in chapters and is based on the recent Richard Howard translation. Kenneth Branaugh does a marvelous job as the Narrator and Owen Evans as the Little Prince -- all the actors do splendid voice work. I wish the story was available as a non-stop option or a separate CD.

The disc was made in 2000 and works on Apple OS9 and Windows platforms at least through the 2000 version. Taking the time to read the instructions will save you frustration and enable you to easily navigate your way through this CD-ROM universe.

The graphics -- based on Saint-Exupery's originals -- are clear and clean, very nicely done.

Don't expect a wild ride -- just a good time with your favorite book. Nicely done and recommended!

Although it isn't very user-friendly, this software is very good.

This may be creative with pretty graphics and pictures but is probably the worst software I've ever bought. Neither myself nor my two very computer-literate children could figure out how to get the interactive story to run. I called the support line in Europe and they also did not know. The instructions that accompany it were also not helpful. I finally sent email to the support group and they never answered my email. I'm very disappointed with this software.