2003 Notable Computer Software for Children announced
Contact: Laura Schulte-Cooper
312-280-2165
For Immediate Release
February 10, 2003
2003 Notable Computer Software for Children announced
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected its 2003 list of Notable Computer Software for Children. The notables recognize high-quality computer programs for children 14 years of age and younger.
The selected software products are:
Disney Learning Adventure: Search for the Secret Keys. Disney.
Ages 5 up. Mickey Mouse and gang are locked inside a haunted house. Solve math, reading, language arts and logic problems in order to find the keys needed to unlock the door and escape. Three different levels of play increase the challenge.
Encarta Reference Library 2003. Microsoft.
Ages 8 up. This 5 CD or 1 DVD set places a wealth of information at your fingertips. Easy to navigate and thorough in its coverage (Encarta Africana is incorporated into this version), this encyclopedia will have answers for users at many levels. Extensive multimedia content includes an interactive atlas.
Inspiration (Version 7). Inspiration Software, Inc.
Ages 10 up. Create a graphic organizer, or use a template. There are over 50 templates on a variety of school-related subjects. This new version allows for integrated notes, hyperlinks to files and audio capabilities (record your own notes or hear text read aloud).
Math Arena Advanced. Sunburst Technology.
Ages 12 up. Practice advanced math skills or enter a competition to prove your knowledge. Visually attractive, this product covers topics such as patterning, graphing and solving for variables.
Moop and Dreadly in the Treasure on Bing Bong Island. Plaid Banana Entertainment.
Ages 5 - 10. Moop and Dreadly must find pieces of a treasure map in order to recover Chief Earwig's treasure. Along the way, they must solve basic logic problems to collect items they will need for their quest.
Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake. Her Interactive.
Ages 10 up. Nancy Drew must discover whether ghost dogs are really haunting her friend's cabin. She must locate the clues, using logic and deductive reasoning to solve the sometimes scary mystery. There are two levels of play.
The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo's Clone Zone. Learning Company/Riverdeep.
Ages 6 to 10. The popular Powerpuff Girls use math, logic, language arts and geography skills to save Townsville from Mojo Jojo and his clones. Each Powerpuff Girl uses her superpower skills to complete activities at five levels of difficulty.
PrintMaster Platinum 12. Broderbund.
Ages 9 up. Create a project from scratch or customize one of the many templates. This updated version contains thousands of new images and projects. This easy-to-use program gives professional-looking results.
Sesame Street Toddler. Encore Software.
Ages 2 to 4. Big Bird, Elmo and friends lead toddlers through simple activities with numbers, letters and sorting. Children are given lots of encouragement, and the easy pace is well-suited to the youngest user.
Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe. Disney Interactive.
Ages 9 up. Create and ride a roller coaster using one of five track types and a variety of environments. The graphics are visually stunning and the problems of track construction are challenging.
Zoombinis Island Odyssey. The Learning Company/Riverdeep.
Ages 8 up. Returning to Zoombini Isle, the Zoombinis are faced with new challenges. Math and logic problems incorporate science for the first time.
For more information about Notable Computer Software for Children, visit the
ALSC Web site.
Members of the 2003 Notable Software for Children Committee are: Barbara Scotto, chair, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, Mass.; Julie Cohen, Berkshire Country Day School, Lenox, Mass.; Carin Steger Kaag, Lawnton Elementary School, Harrisburg, Pa.; Yapha Mason, Brentwood School, Los Angeles; and Jamie Lynn Watson, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore.
