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There are so many software programs out there, but we've selected some of the
best for you to get for your grandchild this holiday season.
Ages 4 and under | Ages
4 - 7 | Ages 8+
Ages 4 and under
Little People
Discovery Airport (by Fisher-Price, $19.99) A fun software
program for kids that are already fans of Fisher-Price's Little People.
There are fun activities including creating your own airplane. Sorting
luggage by shape or by color, flying through mazes and more. All-in-all a
fun software package.
 Monster Clubhouse
(by Encore Software, ages 2-5, $19.99) Our testers all ages 3 and up
thought that this was fun. The kids enjoyed making their own tunes and creating
their own monsters. The matching games are fun and the kids enjoyed
matching pictures to sounds. The teachers enjoyed this because it teaches
essential skills including numbers, counting, shape identification and
more.
Dragon Tales: Dragon Frog Jamboree
(by Encore Software, ages 3-6, $19.99) It was reported by the mother of our
4-year-old tester, that she sings the "Dragon Tales Song" while she
waits for the software to load. Our tester enjoyed using her matching
skills to match the dragon frogs and coloring and printing her own Dragon Land
scenes. She also liked the fact that she could change the levels if she
found one too easy. A great software package for a Dragon Tales fan!
Ages 4 - 7
 Fisher-Price Rescue Heroes:
Lava Landslide:(by Knowledge Adventure, $19.99) A must for any Rescue Heroes fan. There are 6 search and rescue missions,
4 new Rescue Heroes characters -- Rock Miner, Sandy Beach,
Radar the Rescue Bat, and Roger Houston. There are six different
"worlds" and your grandchild has to collect power-ups to repair and
refuel vehicles The can get bonuses by solving hidden Power Pak
games. All of this must be done before everything is covered in a
landslide of lava!
 Fisher-Price Rescue Heroes:
Tremor Trouble: (by Knowledge Adventure, $19.99) The Rescue Heroes are at it again. Can they
stop a runaway roller coaster? Save animals from a flooding river? Retrieve a
downed submarine? Restart stalled high-wire trolley cars? You bet they
can! Their Rescue Heroes! Even though this is an all male cast, my
daughter, aged 4 who tested the game loved it. The only game that she
finds frustrating is the flooding river, but in time she'll grasp the
concept. A lot of fun - with a catchy song!
JumpStart Spanish
(by Knowledge Adventure, $19.99) - Introduce your grandchild to
another language early. With JumpStart Spanish your
grandchild will learn vocabulary and phrases Spanish. What's great about
Knowledge Adventure programs is that they are well designed using music and
cartoon characters. Your grandchild will be able to learn at their own pace and, when ready, increase the difficulty.
The best part is that Knowledge Adventure offers a 90-day 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. So,
if your grandchild doesn't like it you can return it! Our 4-year-old
tester who is already learning Spanish in pre-K had a lot of fun practicing
words. With her choices of software she kept coming back to this one,
which made her parents very happy!
SpongeBob
Employee of the Month (by THQ, ages 4-7, $29.95) Once again it's time
for the Krusty Krab to name it's employee of the month!! And this month's
winner is.....SpongeBob SquarePants for the 27th consecutive month!! In
honor of this momentous occasion, Mr. Krabs has generously given SpongeBob
tickets to the greatest amusement park ever built under the ocean. But
will he ever get there? This game is entertaining and exciting. You
can venture seamlessly from one outrageous town to another, use your mapping
skills to help SpongeBob on his quest to Neptune's Paradise, and use your
detective work to gather clues from Sponge Bob's friends and family, all so that
you can get to the amazing amusement park! Our tester a 5-1/2-year-old
girl, played this with her mother and together they had a blast. Her
mother reported, "the animation is outstanding and the games rarely has a
dull moment."
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius™:Jimmy Neutron Vs Jimmy Negatron
(by THQ, ages 4-7, $19.95)
Jimmy Neutron and his class are
wandering the Retroville Museum. Suddenly, (POOF!) Jimmy finds himself in
another dimension staring at HIMSELF! Kidnapped and held captive in an evil
parallel dimension, Jimmy's gotta find a way back to his dimension and save the
town of Retroville!
Bob
the Builder: Bob Builds A Park (by THQ, ages 3 and up, $19.99) Join Bob,
Wendy, Scoop, Muck, Roley, Lofty, and Dizzy in 10 fun activities as they design
and build a Park, complete with squirrel runs, a skateboard track for Spud, and
a Crazy Golf course! For any Bob the Builder fan this is a must! Our
4 1/2-year-old tester who is always wearing his tool belt and construction hat
thought this was great. He had fun with Farmer Pickles and the escaped
animals, and really enjoyed assembling the dinosaur bones. His mom liked
the fact he wasn't disassembling something in the house yet again!
Ages 8+
Kaplan Higher Score SAT, ACT &
PSAT...
(by Encore Software, $39.99) From Amazon: Achieve the scores you need to
get into the college of your choice using Kaplan Higher Score SAT, ACT &
PSAT Deluxe 2003. The Kaplan method has helped millions of students prepare for
critical college entrance exams and achieve admission-winning high scores. This
comprehensive four CD-ROM set is packed with everything you need to know to
raise your scores.
The Kaplan method identifies your test-taking strengths and weaknesses,
sharpens your test-taking skills, and provides personalized test prep. Choose
from simulated SAT and ACT tests, two PSAT writing tests, study skills
tutorials, intense test-taking strategy sessions, and much more. Kaplan Higher
Score SAT, ACT & PSAT Deluxe 2003 also assists prospective college students
by including college admissions and guidance tools and financial aid info, as
well as Newsweek magazine's authoritative college guide.
Chessmaster
9000 (by UBI Soft, ages 6+, $39.99) From Amazon: Discover the fun of mastering the game of chess in the latest edition of the bestselling chess brand available. Chessmaster 9000 is the most comprehensive chess program and the only one that will improve your level of play. Learn how to master your opponent, how to find the best moves, and how to shut out distractions. Improve your play immediately with the new Blunder Alert feature. Test your skills with the new Endgame Quiz from U.S. chess champion and grand master, Larry Evans. Chessmaster 9000 will be your teacher, mentor, and ultimate opponent.
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