School Zone Beginning Reading K-1

Reviewed by Cynthia A. Sorrels
Published by School Zone Interactive

Age Group: Age 2 to 5, Age 4 to 8
Type: Language Arts
Price: $20

PC version requires:
Windows 95, 98 - 24M RAM, Pentium, 50M hard drive, CDx4

Mac version requires:
OS 7.5.5, 24M RAM, PowerPC 601, 50 M hard drive, CDx4

Description:

This program consists of two interactive storybooks: Jog, Frog, Jog and Nine Men Chase a Hen. The title comes with paperback editions of each story, and a CD-ROM so that children can have the stories read to them or look up words in the dictionary. Additionally, the package provides "Create-a-Story" which allows original creative writing using pictures, art and words from the two stories.

Features:

  • Entertaining stories
  • Dictionary help.
  • Print the story or write and print original stories.
  • Off-beat stories and fun characters.

Technical Aspects:

We had no problems running this program on our Pentium III - 500Mhz machine but the requirements state that it would run on a much lesser machine. The graphics are bright, taken right from the pages of the books and the voices used for the readings don't detract from the actual storyline.

Report and Conclusions:

As one who can remember when every other new software release for kids was an interactive storybook, it's great to see this new version. Smaller children will enjoy having the stories read to them and older ones will find their creativity sparked by the wide range of art available for their own projects. My own six year old son is reading these books and very proud of his accomplishment (me, too!)