Features

• 3-in-1 set teaches reading, early math, problem solving, and creativity
• Discover entertaining reading activities with Clifford Reading
• Tackle riddles and various challenges with I SPY School Days
• Solve problems and play creative games with Huggly Saves the Turtles
• For kids ages 4 to 7

Amazon.com Product Description

Lions and tigers and bears--it's Oz: The Magical Adventure! Designed for children ages 4 to 7, the amazing 3-D world of Oz unfolds to reveal a delightful land filled with activities that develop memory and problem-solving skills, number recognition, creativity, imagination, and more. While building skills, kids also join the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, and Cowardly Lion on a quest to rescue Dorothy. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Absolutely fabulous for my 5-year old
I bought this for my five-year-old son last Christmas, and he's been playing it ever since. It has three difficulty levels that keep it fresh over time. Very nicely done!

entertainment that is quickly run through
I got this to span the gap in my kids ages. WHile officially set for 5-8, my 7yr old got thru the highest level of difficulty in one afternoon and my 3yr old son is now on it after a few weeks. WHile fun for them, it is hardly educational. This is just an elaborate puzzle that walks thru OZ, and in that it is very very good. Alas, however, I wanted something more. I think the DK does a lot of the absolute best sorftware and books for kids and we bought a bunch of it this xmass. Apparently my expectations for the medium are too high.

Recommended as entertainment. I guess it is a good deal, given the outrageous prices we pay for movies these days. But I confess that I think we can do better. Much better.

Oz, a Magical Educational Adventure!
Oz the Magical Adventure is a wonderful educational trip down the yellow brick road. My mom bought this game for my autistic brother and he loves it. The games are entertaining, the characters are wonderful and the animation is highly enjoyable.
This adventure puts you into the story of "The Wizard of Oz". But something has gone terribly wrong. The Wicked Witch has sent one of her flying monkeys to capture Dorothy and Toto. As Dorothy and Toto are carried away from the yellow brick road Glinda the good witch of the South appears to tell the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the Lion to keep going to the Emerald City. Once in the throne room of the Emerald City, the Wizard of Oz tells the three companions he will grant their wishes if they rescue Dorothy, kill the Wicked Witch, and bring Dorothy back as proof. He gives you a medallion which will open the door to the witches castle. It's missing nine jewels. The jewels are hidden all around Oz. Your objective now is to help the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion find the jewels and get to Dorothy and Toto. Now it's up to you to save Dorothy, Toto, and all of Oz from the Wicked Witch of the West.
This game is based on the original book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, not the movie with Judy Garland. The game brings out characters from the book, characters from other Oz books, and new characters that are equaly lovable. You must journey with the Tin Man, Sacarecrow, and Lion to locations in Oz such as the Land of the Munchkins, the Land of the Winkies, and the Country of the Quadlings. In each land there are three games. Between each land there are mini games. Some are to transport you between the lands and some are for plain entertainment and don't have any purpose other than that. There are 15 games total.
The games all teach basic logic and directions. For example: In the Land of the Munchkins you must help a juice lady to recover her memory that the wicked witch has stolen. You must listen to her instructions to make a fruity drink that will help her recover and she might be able to tell you where a jewel is hidden. In the land of the Quadlings you must set the water pipes right or the jewel will be stuck. To reset the pipes you need to dircect the colored pipes in different directions so the water will flow the right way.
The games are very educational and entertaining. The animation is brilliant. It really brings Oz to life. The Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow are always at your side and interact with you so you're never alone. Before each game starts you can select levels (Bronze: Easy, Silver: Medium, Gold: Hard). And after each game you can either quit or choose another level and start over. The game really makes you feel like you've fallen into the book and met all the characters. Me and my mom taught my brother how to play each game. He eventually learned to play the games all by himself. We're hoping he will soon progress to the next level. This game provides really good challenges for 4-8 year olds. The game is always changing so it doesn't get boring quickly. I highly recommend it.
So put on your magic slippers, grab your basket, get your dog, and head down the magical yellow brick road for an unforgetable journey through Oz. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

After a storm breaks the radio tower on Birdwell Island, Clifford the Big Red Dog and his master, Emily Elizabeth, decide to make music with friends Charley, Cleo, and T-Bone. Kids join them in the fun by making instruments, singing songs, sorting shells, dancing with the dogs, and more. The program's 19 age-appropriate activities challenge children (ages 4 to 6) to develop their memory, logic, and early-math skills. An automatic help tool allows for self-guided play, while all activities progress according to children's skill level. Once they've assembled all the instruments, kids get to create their own music with Clifford and his very big band. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

for the most resistant reader
My 4.5 yr old son would much rather play nintendo than try to learn phonics, thanks to the influence of two older sibs. He received this game yesterday and already has spent countless hours on it playing the games and inadvertantly learning phonics. This game uses letter groupings as well as phonics, which is the method my other kids used with great success. This game definately requires parent participation in the early stages, but it's been fun watching him become more and more independant in his reading skills even though he is not aware of it. Only complaint is that the reward system is limited, so beware if your child is reward-oriented.

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Phonics
I bought this for my 3 year old daughter for Christmas this year. It was the first computer learning game she ever tried and it has been great in teaching her the basic mechanics for moving the cursor around the computer screen and using a mouse. But now, just 3 months later, I find that she is bored with the game. There are only a handful of games at the carnival to play. She seems more interested in decorating the float with the prizes she's won from these games instead.

some reviews below refer to "Thinking Adventures"
Note: Some of the reviews here (the 3-star one entitled "very easily bored with it" for instance) refer to a different product--"Clifford's Thinking Adventures".

The Phonics title is a completely different game, released in July 2003. If the review says at the end "refers to an ALTERNATE VERSION" check the link--might be a review for the other game. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great for all ages
This game is great for everyone. The kids that I watched over the summer had a blast finding ways to create different creatures and loved printing them out for later. The adults all loved trying to outdo each other by making stranger and stranger monsters. I highly recommend this game for anybody with an active imagination and a love for graphics and interactive games. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Based on the School Zone workbook series, this program incorporates critical math skills with interactive exercises and fun games. A solid curriculum, audio guidance, and clear examples help your child master classifying skills, the alphabet, rhyming words, opposites, and more. The program randomizes problems with each use, providing a different experience each session. Engaging games provide an important break. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good basic program
My 4 year old daughter loves this program, as well as another title in the series called Shapes. (shapes is better for younger children though). It is fun and easy to use, and is very enjoyable as well. I can't say she is really learning much in the way of new things, but she certainly is having fun, and her brain is engaged at the same time. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

A fireworks factory is in flames. Animals flee from the zoo. Mischief and mayhem are popping up all over Matchbox County. Something must be done--and fast! In Matchbox Cross-Town Heroes kids take the wheel of their favorite Matchbox vehicles and head into an intense interactive world filled with action and adventure.

Race to the rescue in six original Matchbox vehicles, including the Fire Crusher, Rescue Net Police SUV, Airport Fire Pumper, and more. Interact with more than 50 different characters, animals, and creatures, all with their own unique animations. Complete an array of missions to earn hero awards, unlock new vehicles, and even earn one of three printable heroic certificates. Plus, if you're really good, 12 bonus action games can be unlocked to extend the Matchbox play. ... Read more

Features

• In Putt-Putt Travels Through Time, kids will play with Putt-Putt & use their skills at logic and sequencing to help Putt-Putt as he tries to get back to his time period
• Putt-Putt And Pep's Dog On A Stick is a fun game where Pep, the dog on a pogo stick has to collect as many goodies as possible in 100 fun fantastic levels
• Putt-Putt's One-Stop Fun Shop is a new world of artist creativity and self-discovery

Amazon.com Review

Playhouse Disney's Stanley Tiger Tales is a bright program that manages to emulate the magical seamlessness of a young child's thought process. One moment Stanley is jabbering with his goldfish, the next instant he's looking for his hat to take to the beach, then whammo!--a cardboard tube triggers a flight of fancy and Stanley briefly becomes an aardvark. The program begins with Stanley's mom asking him to round up his sunscreen, float toy, and some other items for a trip to the beach. It's a small thing, but most beleaguered parents will appreciate the good modeling here: Stanley's mom isn't frantically gathering this stuff up for her son. Instead, she assumes he's big enough to do a bit of problem solving. Amen.

Stanley solves this happy problem with your child's help, and there are plenty of safaris, mouse whiskers, and monkey dances along the way to keep it engaging. This program is designed to work with a wide range of early computer skills. Beginners will get a response from objects in a room if they sweep the cursor over them. Kids who have connected to clicking are richly rewarded: objects become games, change color, or reveal an animal factoid. Kids must find Stanley's beach gear and keep an eye out for stamps to paste into an informative tome called The Great Big Book of Everything.

There are five minigames in Stanley's bedroom, four more in his backyard, and the rest of the house has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. The games all self-adjust to your child's skill level. We enjoyed one that involved Stanley, clad in tiger pajamas, stalking an antelope. Timing, forethought, and observation are required to move Stanley from hiding place to hiding place while avoiding the alert gaze of the antelope. Another good one was Stanley's monkey dance, where players "program" Stanley to mimic the moves a monkey makes. All of these games have a certain relentlessness that some parents will love, some will hate. They're timed, they're scored, and a wrong move wipes out the existing game, causing players to have to start all over. It all happens in a friendly manner, of course, but mistakes are penalized here. We didn't mind this approach to the games, since they're all brief enough a mistake doesn't erase hours of work. Finally, this nimble program also has a "Parents' Area" in case you want to check your child's antelope-stalking progress.

Stanley Tiger Tales is a well-executed delight that will appeal to any younger child, especially one who is fascinated by animals. (Ages 3 to 6) --Anne Erickson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very disappointed
I bought this game for my 3 year old daughter because she loves playing the Stanley games...We were very disappointed with this game. It's too structured. She can't just go to the game she wants to play. She must complete them in a specific order. Also, if she makes a mistake on a game, instead of asking her to correct her mistake, it makes her start the game over -- very frustrating! The only thing she liked was printing coloring pictures from the Great Big Book of Everything and even that was disappointing as it did not provide pictures for every letter of the alphabet. I found the games very simplistic with no way to increase the skill level. Even if she liked it, she would have outgrown it very quickly. The games on the website are so much better and they are free!

However, Disney will give you a refund within 90 days if you are not satisfied and that is what I plan to do.

Learning about animals and having fun too!
My daughter is 3 and loves this game. It teaches facts on many types of animals plus, children learn colors, shapes, math, picture matching, memory skill and more.
Stanley has to find objects around the house and put them in his bag. After he plays all the games and finds all the stickers he sets out to find Theodore, his inflatable tiger.
It's just like an episode from the tv. They'll love it.

Great Software For Children
My son received this software for Christmas and has enjoyed playing the software. Stanley is the main character, and guides children through different obstacles while teaching children about different types of animals along the way. The game increases in difficulty as your child successfully finishes a task. This is one of the best softwares I have seen for children in a long time. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Kids adventure with the tiniest member of Winnie the Pooh's Hundred-Acre Wood family in Piglet's Big Game. Help Piglet make a soup to share at a special celebration. Journey with Piglet through the enchanting Hundred-Acre Wood. Along the way, brain-teasing puzzles and creative activities build age-appropriate learning skills. Each Winnie the Pooh themed activity features colorful graphics and beloved characters. Puzzle through Pooh's broken honey pots, navigate Piglet safely across a large lily pond, mix colors with Eeyore, and help Owl find his spices for Piglet's celebratory soup. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Super for kids age 2 - 4
I hadn't noticed this game because I find most Disney software to be lesser quality than several other brands; but then I read that Disney contracted Hulabee to design this program and I immediately purchased it. My four-year-old daughter who is an avid educational game player loved it. She finished it in less than an hour. The graphics are excellent; the game's design is Hulabee quality--both engaging and rich in problem solving education. The only problem was it was too easy for my girl. I recommend it for ages 2-4. However, despite it being too easy, by daughter continues to play it. It's a hit!

Super for kids 2 - 4
I hadn't noticed this game because I find most Disney software to be lesser quality than several other brands; but then I read that Disney contracted Hulabee to design this program and I immediately purchased it. My four-year-old daughter who is an avid educational game player loved it. She finished it in less than an hour. The graphics are excellent; the game's design is Hulabee quality--both engaging and rich in problem solving education. The only problem was it was too easy for my girl. I recommend it for ages 2-4. However, despite it being too easy, by daughter continues to play it. It's a hit!

Little Piglet, BIG Job
Piglet's Big Game is based on the movie, but has nothing in common with it. (Except for the title) This game is all about how Rabbit & his friends are going on a picnic, and Rabbit needs Piglet's help to go and gather ingredients for his soup, such as acorns, vegetables, pepper, "hunny", etc. Although, Rabbit thinks that Piglet is too small for such a big job. So Piglet sets out to prove himself. Along all of the winding paths & such, you will find acorns, needed for the soup. You need 10, but you can keep some extra ones... for a snack. You will encounter fun activities, such as The Pond Maze, Sorting Spices, Eeyore's Painting (my fave), and much more. This game is made by Hullabee Entertainment, which is the same company that made Mike's Monsterous Adventure. Really this game is just Mike for a younger audiance, but this has more activities and, when you love the Pooh gang, you just can't resist. You must be thinking to yourselves, if I liked this so much, why did I give it 4 stars? Well, they won't let you skip through the dialogue that you might already know about, and that can get annoying. But it's not that big a deal. Well, that's it. I hope this review has helped you and encourages you to get this CD-ROM.

Short and Sweet
This is worth the purchase. The graphics are good, and the story is cute - but it only took about 40 minutes for me and my 5-year old to complete. He hasn't played it since completing it. The ending was a little disappointing - there's really not much to do after collecting the needed materials for the big soup. But again, it was cute, a nice tie in with the movie, and a good amount of fun for straight 30-40 minutes. Child could complete almost entirely on his own. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Yay! Elmo is on an adventure in Grouchland, tracking down his best friend--his blanket! It's slipped out of his hands down Oscar's trash can, and he--like Alice following the White Rabbit--has to meet interesting characters and finish several missions in order to be reunited with it.

This software holds vibrant primary colors, sweet Sesame Street songs, and lessons on values that everyone can agree with. Parents will appreciate the conflict resolution skills that Grouchland builds, but kids will just love Elmo singing and dancing.

Installation was simple, and once in the program, frankly, we wished every navigation system was this intuitive. The program distinguishes the elements you can click on by having them sparkle when you move your cursor over them. And, no matter where the child is in the game, there's a green arrow that can lead them to the next spot. Throw in the Sesame Street humor (Elmo visits the Bad Humor sardine-ice-cream cart), and it's clear why this one is a winner.

A particular stand-out feature of this software: there's no wrong answer. When building a bridge to get Elmo across a mine shaft (yes, Oscar's got a mine shaft in his trash can), kids can choose from a series of different options, but none will be rejected. When he climbs a mountain at the end of the adventure, some of the ledges he needs to get to are occupied by sheep, but there are always plenty more to pick from.

One note of caution: Elmo in Grouchland has only a few scenes. We would have preferred that the gameplay go on and on, although we can also see the reward for young players in winning the game--getting Elmo his blanket--within a session or two.

Grouchland's core is its terrific messages within the storyline--much like the television show on which it's based. Elmo meets some sweet junkyard weirdos, for example, and they all wind up singing that "Beauty is where you find it." Elmo enchants through scenes like this, with his high-pitched voice calling to reunite with his beloved blanket. --Jennifer Buckendorff ... Read more

Reviews (5)

games too short and too easy
"Max and the Haunted Castle", "Max and the Secret Formula", and "Max and the Pirates"
The games were too easy for my 4 1/4 yr old. She finished finding the hidden items (12 socks in the Castle; 7 numbers in the Secret Formula) very quickly and then there was really nothing else (fun/educating) to do. The Max games have the potential to be much more popular with children if Tivola would add more things to do/more stories; make them more difficult/challenging. I gave it 2 stars because it does have potential (my daughter liked Max and his inventor Uncle, Pong). Tivola has a great thing here if they would just improve upon it. ...

THESE GAMES ARE WONDERFUL
These Games are a wonderful value. Diane is right, there is no immediate gratification, you do have to sit and listen to a story for a minute or two, (something preschoolers should be learning to do anyway to ready themselves for kindergarten.) THe stories are charming, and my young children ages three and five have absolutely no problem understanding the accents. We are from the midwest, where they do not often hear English accents, but they listen and are able to follow. The value here is spectacular. Three games for half the price of one game is right, and they are very special relaxing, and thoughtful adventures that my kids love. They are not "zombified" by these games, they laugh out loud and talk to each other, talk to Max, and Uncle Pong. They LOVE the surprises. These are not like other games they have played. They learn to use thier logical thinking, and deduction, they learn cause and effect. These games are spectacular. I don't know where the first reviewer is coming from, and it makes me sad to think that some kids will miss out on these fun and charming games after reading her thoughtless review.
I REALLY hope you don't listen to the first review, because these games are a terrific value and will become favorites for your kids!

Tivola programs are great for my kids.
Tivola's Max games are wonderful for my two boys. They are very funny and thought provoking. My kids have SO MANY pre-school games and educational cd's that are from here in the states. These are a welcome change from the lot of games that feature boldly colored circus goofs that quite frankly, bore the heck out of my kids and end up teaching them little. I got a Tivola demo with the Little Prince and popped it in for my 2 and 5 year olds. They were interested right away. The games are not dificult,and my children have no trouble with the accents. Tivola gets my applause for subtlety, and the non-commercial format. They make gentle games, which to my amazement, suit my two (very) rowdy boys.

Don't Waste Your Money!!
My 3-year-old daughter has discovered the computer recently, so I've been trying to find some inexpensive yet educationally fun software for her. While the price seemed right on this one, that was where the fun ended! Don't waste your money, even if it doesn't seem like much. True, you get 3 games, but they all stink. My daughter doesn't understand anything they say because of their thick accents, and the little movie clips go on FOREVER. By the time she can finally participate, she's totally lost interest. (I don't blame her....yawn!) The games come with absolutely no directions. All in all, these Max games are a waste of money and time. (She loves Dora the Explorer!)

3 Great Adventures, 1 Fantastic Value!
First of all, this is a SUPER value! Three very charming, cute, and engaging games for half the price of one! Max is a lovable character, and these games, with their hand-painted, storybook quality are enchanting. I recommend these if you are looking for something that is not as fast-paced, violent, or tacky as many of the more commercial titles that seem to make up the majority of the children's market. These are beautiful and unique CD-ROMS that young kids will definitely enjoy. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Every day can be a fun-filled learning adventure with the Adventure Workshop Preschool-1st Grade, 4th Edition, featuring three award-winning educational titles for ages three to seven. Your child will love playing, learning, and just spending time with his or her favorite characters, and you'll love watching your child laugh and learn through colorful and clever activities that build valuable skills in subjects that include geography, science, memory, logic, reading and reading comprehension, phonics, and writing.

The software bundle contains Paddington - The World Mystery Tour (the popular bear's first CD-ROM, featuring 30 activities, 40 minutes of interactive video, and travel in five countries with 60 exciting locations), Reading Rabbit's Reading Ages 4-6 (help Reader Rabbit and Sam the lion as they travel to many Letter Lands, learn their sounds, and take giant steps toward real reading), and Millie & Bailey Kindergarten (with which your child will build skills and the ability to solve problems using best selections from Millie's Math House, Bailey's Book House, and Sammy's Science House). ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Matchbox County mayor needs your help in battling blazes, saving injured victims, and chasing down criminals. Save the day as a heroic firefighter, paramedic, or police officer. Jump into your fire truck, ambulance, or police car, each with its own speed, handling, and heroic powers. Turn your siren on, watch traffic pull aside, and speed through Matchbox County. Choose from more than 40 different missions to become a Matchbox Hero. Explore, in 3-D color graphics, all of Matchbox County, including its secret locations and shortcuts. Complete missions successfully and you'll rise up through the ranks to become fire chief, doctor, or police chief. Do you have what it takes? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

No learning, just reaction
I purchased this game for my 5 year old son. The graphics are weak, and there is essentially no learning available. Only racing around trying to follow a wiggly 3d arrow and go from place to place. After 10 minutes, I was stuck at the bottom of the ocean, and there was only one ramp to get out, it takes quite a while to find the ramp. Ultimately this game is boring, perhaps if it had easy, and hard modes it might be OK, but save your money, get a learning game instead.

5-yr old's favorite computer game
We bought this for Christmas - - and our 5-yr old just loves it. He plays it every day - figures out the missions and really learned the game fast. Absolutely worth the price. ... Read more