Cheap Reader Rabbit Learn to Read With Phonics (Software) (Macintosh, Windows) Price

The program starts with Mat the Mouse singing a complaining song because she can't read well enough to take full advantage of the carnival she wants to attend. This alone is a stroke of genius: it's easier for kids to relate to poor confused Mat than some know-it-all character who already knows how to read (that would be Reader Rabbit, but he serves a purpose as Mat's guide). When her wish for "no more words to read" comes true, Mat realizes a world with no words simply won't work, and sets out on a journey to decode a message that will allow her to make a counterwish and get words back.

The occasionally flat animation is remedied by the volume and variety of early-reading activities. Two approaches to the program help customize it to your child's learning style: Road to Reading is the more structured approach, where kids lead Mat on a path to 26 different lands associated with each letter of the alphabet, and help decode her counterwish. Pick and Play is a nonstructured method of exploring the program that allows kids to directly access the various activities found along the alphabet path. Word Factory is another program element that has nothing to do with Mat's quest, but introduces four more word-building and memorization activities to an already brimming program.

Designers paid attention to details that are important for learning: characters meticulously pronounce words and sound out letters in clear children's voices. Each activity can be played on five different levels, and kids can check their progress and print study words. The program introduces sight words for memorization as well as words that must be constructed by sounding out. Some of the virtual books in this program are more entertaining and engaging than actual phonics texts we've seen. Even the Parent's Guide information was useful, and taught us a thing or two about how kids learn to read. Perhaps most importantly, this CD-ROM's clever wordplay and constant comedic surprises will keep kids interested as they develop the nuts-and-bolts skills that will lead to a lifetime of enthusiastic reading. (Ages 3 to 6) --Anne Erickson