Association for Library Service To Children Notable Computer Software 1998
Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/1/1998
| ALSC Computer Software Evaluation Committee: Robert Stalder (chair), Pam Barron, K. Elizabeth Beazizo, Julie James, Diane Monnier, Walter Minkel. |
| The Notable Children's Films and Videos, Recordings, Computer Software, and Children's Websites are compiled annually by four committees of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The lists were released during the January 1998 ALA Midwinter Conference in New Orleans. The items on these lists were selected by children's librarians across the country on the basis of their originality, creativity, and suitability for young children. The members of the committees selected materials that respect both children's intelligence and imagination, exhibit venturesome creativity, and encourage the interests of viewers/listeners. |
CD-ROM. Win/Mac. $34.99. The Learning Co.
Five American Girls come to life as viewers create their own historical dramas using this versatile and innovative CD-ROM. You may design and produce your own plays, setting the stage, selecting the characters, determining the dialogue as Addy, Samantha, Felicity, Molly and Kirsten perform within their historical time frames. Myriad props, hundred of musical selections, lighting and sound effects are available to young "directors" who learn about theater production on screen.
Cat in the Hat.
CD-ROM. Win/Mac. $34.95. Broderbund.
Beginning readers love the impulsive Cat, Thing One and Thing Two, and Broderbund brings their adventures to life in this wacky Living Books title. The series reaches a new level of interactivity; kids can pile books, cakes, and toy ships o the balancing cat, along with a hatful of other silly activities.
The Digital Field Trip to the Rainforest.
CD-ROM. Win/Mac. $49, educ. version: $99. Digital Frog International.
Designed primarily for classroom use, this CD-ROM enables viewers to discover the world of the Blue Creek Rainforest Reserve in Belize, Central America. Explore the train in Quicktime and take in a panoramic view of your surroundings. At each trail marker, you can learn about the plants and animals through film clips. Photos and text information is also included on different types of rainforests, mechanisms that keep the rainforest, alive and the importance of biodiversity. The educational version includes an extensive teacher's guide and study guide, ideal as a supplement to a rainforest unit.
My Amazing Human Body.
CD-ROM. Win/Mac. $29.95. DK Multimedia.
Seemore Skinless, an engaging skeleton, takes young children, ages 6-10, on a guided tour of the human body where they learn about systems and organs while playing a variety of lively and entertaining educational games. Sure to be a hit with libraries who offer CD-ROM technology to customers as well a parents and teachers looking for a way to educate primary age children about how the body functions.
Piano Discovery for Kids.
Win/Mac. $49.95. Jump! Music.
Farewell boring piano lessonsólearn to play the piano a whole new way using your computer. This disk comes with a keyboard overlay that sits on the computer keyboard and plays the associated notes, or you can purchase an optional MIDI keyboard. Included are 600 lessons that allow each student to progress at their own pace and mark their place to pick u later. The disk includes 33 songs, and if you register on the website you can join the "club" and download a new song each month. Lots of positive feedback and rewards (stickers included).
