Super WHY! Around the World Adventure

Children learn about geography, letters, and vocabulary in these three computer-animated episodes from the PBS show Super WHY. In “Around the World Adventure,” Whyatt and his band of Super Readers must visit each continent to find the location of a missing friend. Throughout this episode, viewers learn geography, spelling, and a new word—“quicksand.” In “Naila and the Magic Map,” the Super Readers discover hieroglyphics and how to use symbols and codes. Rhyming words ending in “ish” are presented. In “Jasper’s Cowboy Wish,” Jasper doesn’t know how to be a cowboy. The Super Readers help him by exploring the old west, singing the alphabet, practicing the magic of spelling, and learning the word “saddle.” All episodes conclude with using the power to read to change the story. The Super Readers engage viewers by asking them to participate in solving the adventure and encouraging them to yell out the answer. While the reading pace is a bit fast, Whyatt highlights each word for optimal identification and pronunciation. Bonus features include music videos and the inclusion of interactive word games and coloring pages on the DVD-ROM.–Amanda Schiavulli, West Orange Public Library, NJ