I Spy: School Days

Reviewed by Carol Welch
Published by Scholastic

Age Group: Age 4 to 8, Age 8 and Up
Type: Puzzles/Memory
Price: $30

PC version requires:
Windows 95/98/2000, P 90, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB HD, 640 x 480 display with 256 colors, 4x CD-ROM, sound, microphone & printer optional

Mac version requires:
PowerPC, 90 MHz, System 7.5, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB hard disk space, 640 x 480 display with 256 colors, 4x CD-ROM drive, microphone & printer optional

Description:

Scholastic's latest addition to their award-winning I Spy series is I Spy: School Days. Continuing with the popular rhyming riddles and hidden objects format, this title offers children (ages 5-9) nine play areas: Oops Hoops!, Nature, Chalkboard, Balloon Popper, Wood Block City, Codebreaker, Craft Projects, Make Your Own I Spy and Find Me Riddle.

Features:

  • Nine play areas
  • Promotes problem solving, creativity, thinking skills and language arts skills
  • Voice-over instructions
  • Create, print and record your own I Spy riddles
  • Child's name appears throughout the game.

Technical Aspects:

I experienced no problems installing or running this title on our Celeron 533. My 6-year-old son began playing immediately with no help from me. Verbal instructions are given to guide young ones through play. Instructions for game play are also included in the CD insert Parent's Guide and the riddle rhymes are shown in text on screen. However, since this title is dependent on verbal clues, hearing-impaired children would need assistance in play.

The graphics consist of photographs of familiar objects and are very clear. The box art is an excellent representation of the product.

Report and Conclusions:

My sons, ages 6 and 9, love this program! And so do I! I Spy: School Days challenges children to use their brains while having fun. This is a first-rate software title for children ages 5 to 9, and I highly recommend it!




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