Best Kids Software

Guidance for Grown-Ups. Menstuff® reviews the finest software by category as selected by a panel of judges for the 1998 National Parenting Publications Awards. Updated 11/30/00.

Early Childhood
Elementary

Best Kids Software

NAPPA competitors are asked to submit titles that reflect a genuine intent to enrich the educational and entertainment experience of children, and when applicable, participating adults.

Early Childhood:

Elmo's Reading: Preschool & Kindergarten. 2-CDs, Elmo helps develop reading basics like word building, spelling and sentence structure. Disc 2 children apply the skills. Windows & Macintosh. The Learning Company, ages 3-6, $34.95 800.716.8506
Let's Go Read! An Island Adventure. A first of its kind, includes speech-recognition program with mic and baseball cap, and a 15-step program designed to motivate beginning readers. Windows 3.1/95/98 and Macintosh. Edmark, ages 4-6, $44.95, 800.362.2890
Richard Scarry's Best Math Program Ever. An interactive adventure in the Busy World of Richard Scarry. Learn math basics while helping lovable characters collect the parts they need to build an incredible contraption. Windows and Macintosh, Simon & Schuster Interactive, ages 4-7, $29.95, 888.793.9972
Madeline Thinking Games Deluxe. A quirky, gentle world this petite French orphan inhabits. 2-CDs. Windows 3.1/95/98, The Learning Company, ages 5+, $34.95, 800.716.8506
Jump Start Baby. lets parents and tykes explore the computer together in either of two modes: With the parent using the mouse to introduce computer concepts while baby delights in colorful screens and enchanting melodies, or with the child communicating in their own way by pressing any key on the keyboard. Windows and Macintosh. Knowledge Adventure, ages 9 t0 24 months, $30, 800.542.4240
Great Adventures: Wild Western Town. Players explore town, they track down hidden bars of gold and lean activities like designing their own deputy's badge. Windows and Macintosh, Knowledge Adventure, ages 3-7, $20, 800.542.4240

Elementary:

The Complete National Geographic, 108 Years on 30 CDs. And outstanding series comprise a breathtaking display of information. WIndows and Macintosh. Mindscape, ages 6+, $179, 617.761.3000 www.mindscape.com
Catz II Your Virtual Pets and Dogz 11 Your Virtual Pets have proven to be some of the most entertaining software product ideas on the market. They leap from the screen as owners train, feed, pet, interact with and care for these fuzzy animated computer pals. Windows 95; P.F. Magic, ages 6+, $19.95, 800.48-ADOPT www.petz.com
1998 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Deluxe offers not only dollar value, but usability value as well. Includes more than 15 hours of sound clips, over 35,000 articles and more than 100 percent more video clips than previous Grolier editions. 2-CDs. Windows and Macintosh, Grolier Interactive Inc., Ages 6+, $59.99, 203.797.3530.
I Can Be A Dinosaur Finder. Curious kids who love the thrill of discovering hidden treasures will be drawn quickly into this program. Locate more than 50 hidden creatures. Windows and Macintosh. Educational Insights, ages 6-12. $34.95, 800.933.3277
Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? Yes, she's still at large. Go on a cat-and-mouse chase through history. Windows and Macintosh. Broderbund, ages 9+, $38, 800.521.6263.

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You get more Vitamin C from strawberries than from oranges.

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