This month I bring a review on Bears, a delightful CD-ROM from New Zealand. It is designed for children ages 3-8, but will probably be best liked by the younger children. However, my six and nine year old sons still have fun with it.
Ted and Floppy, two lovable teddy bears, are the hosts throughout this interactive adventure. Of course, there is Sam, the large bear with the red balloon who helps you go back to a previous page.
Everything about bears is simple and fun, making it the ideal software for a young child. There are lots of things to click on for surprises, as well as four games.
The games include a maze, which may be difficult at first. After showing a child the path a few times, she will delight in figuring it out herself. In the music room the bears play nursery rhymes, and children can experiment with making music themselves. If you click on Ted in the hallway, he will hide. As you play in the rest of the rooms, keep looking for Ted. He could be anywhere. If you click on the bear with the blocks in the playroom, you will be transported to a matching game. Non-readers will need a parent or older child to help match the printed name with the object. American children may be slightly confused by things like a helicopter being called an autogiro. Still, it is a wonderful way to learn about other places and cultures. There is also an interactive storybook in one of the rooms.
In addition to the games and story, there are five areas to play in, including outside, the hall, and three rooms. As children play, they will be exposed to different types of music and art. One of our favorites is the koala in the playroom with his dirigidoo. It is easy to navigate, and should you click on something you find annoying, a quick tap on the space bar will stop it. That comes in handy when you find the bagpipe-playing bear in the hallway.
Although not as flashy as much of the software found in the United States, Bears certainly has a lot of content. It is a great software title to introduce children to the computer. The matching game helps with reading, and children can also practice telling time with the grandfather clock in the hall way. This title is designed for children ages 3-8, although the younger ones may enjoy it most. However, both my six and nine year old sons still enjoy it.
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