Notable Children's Computer Software, 1997
Notable Computer Software Committee members are: Ann Cook, chair, Winter Park (FL) Public Library; Olga Conneen, Bethlehem Area (PA) Public Library; Carroll Davey, Jefferson County (CO) Public Library; Julie James, Kansas City (MO) Public Library; Diane P. Monnier, Bethesda (MD) Regional Library; and Robert Stalder, Raymond Branch, Timberland Regional (WA) Library.
Creative Writer 2. Microsoft. Windows. $29.95.
Imaginations will soar with this disc. With an amazing array of graphics, this colorful, inventive program invites young writers to design and create letters, newspapers, book reports, and stories. A wide selection of templates, prompts, and hints for writing success make this a wonderful introduction for young authors while preparing them for adult word-processing projects.
Discovering Origami. Geode. Win/Mac. $29.95.
From the setting of a Japanese teahouse, a user can find out about the history of origami and learn about some of the various shapes and their origins. The disc also displays 10 origami patterns, from the pinwheel to the crane, for beginners to replicate by following the repeatable, step-by-step demonstrations. Three-dimensional rendering makes CD-ROM the perfect instructional medium, and the spare, elegant treatment introduces the user to both origami and Japanese culture.
Eyewitness Virtual Reality Dinosaur Hunter. DK Multimedia. Windows and Mac. $29.95.
Imagine digging for dinosaur bones to complete a skeleton, only to have the completed skeleton become a dinosaur who breaks loose and runs through the museum! Museumgoers can visit the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic Halls; the World of Dinosaurs section; and the Dinosaur Excavation Site. In this multifaceted program, dinosaur fans can look up any type of dinosaur, click on a multitude of choices, body parts, time periods, and map locations. Creepy sound effects and realistic animation create an irresistible atmosphere.
Nickelodeon 3-D Movie Maker. Microsoft. Windows. $44.95.
Budding directors will love creating their own short movies featuring characters from Nickelodeon television shows. Directors can select backgrounds, camera angles, characters, and props; they can also import sounds, speech, and music or record their own. The program allows users to move everything around and add transitions, lets kids choose character expressions, and enables directors to time sounds and lines to the characters' movements. This complex program has a surprisingly simple interface.
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