Published by Putnam New Media. This product creates a fun and exciting environment in which children can practice problem solving and logic skills. $34.95 ISBN 0-399-24859-5. Windows/Macintosh.
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Content
Mitsumasa Anno is a popular writer and illustrator for children.
He has illustrated numerous wordless picture books, full of
tiny details for children to discover and explore. His math
books are full of exciting games and challenges for children, and
are used in school, as well as recreational reading settings.
This engaging program is loosely based on the favorite book, Anno's Math Games. The seven games in the program combine lively animation, cheery music, and silliness with Anno's imaginative methods for learning. Children can play games at varying levels (none of them too easy) to promote higher-level learning. Both readers and non-readers will be able to play these games, since they are designed with a combination of pictures and audio.
After a fun animated introductory sequence the children are presented with a screen of several different pictures that represent different games. These can be clicked on to choose the different games. The games focus on a variety of skills.
Weighing is a game for children to practice measurement, comparisons and problem solving skills. The children are presented with a variety adorable animals, which they may place on the golden scale to compare weights.
Storymaker allows children to create silly, descriptive characters and then listen to a story using their characters. Tangram allows the children to manipulate shapes, by flipping or turning them, to fill in the outlines of images, or create their own pictures. Water Balloons is a coordination game for the eyes and hands. Guess My Rule is a classification game in which the children must sort objects that are alike in some way and decide why they are alike.
Cards allows the child to create his/her own set of cards form a variety of suit choices (pigs, mice, snails, frogs, etc.) and then play a challenging game using the cards and an array of problem solving skills to win. Guessing Machine is similar to "twenty questions," the children think of something and the machine tries to guess clues by asking questions (Is it a person, animal, food...).
Every game contains an icon for a menu screen, a help screen and
other games to play within each particular game. Several of the
games allow the child to print screens. In Storymaker, the
children can print their stories. In Cards, children can print out
a whole deck of cards that they have designed. This product comes
with three cardboard characters, from the game, that can sit on
top of the computer or that the children can play with.
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Special Features
Kriss and Kross, two delightful fellows, lead the children
throughout the game. They offer helpful suggestions ("that's too
much," "this doesn't seem right," "you can play this card," etc.)
and talk to each other during player lapses. For example, Kriss
says, "nothing is happening," and Kross replies, "the artist is
taking a break." Their silliness certainly adds to the
entertaining feel of this product. [Top of Page]
Ease of Use & Audience
Children should not have difficulty moving through Anno's Learning
Games. The navigation is a simple point and click method, with
pictures to help non-readers. Help screens are located throughout
the screens, as well as Kriss and Kross to remind users of what to
do ("click here for another game,") or provide needed help to play
the game. Recommended for elementary school students (ages 6-10).
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Installation Details
System Requirements: for Macintosh, a Macintosh
LC-II, System 7.0 or higher, 13" screen or larger, 4 MB RAM, 256
color monitor, Macintosh compatible CD-ROM drive. Accelerated for
Power Macintosh. For MPC (windows), 386SX-25 or better, 4MB of
RAM, hard disk, MPC-compatible sound card, CD-ROM drive, Super VGA
(640x480, 256 colors) adapter and monitor, Microsoft mouse or 100%
compatible, Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or higher, MS-DOS version
3.1 or higher.
Installation: Installation with the Macintosh was
as easy as a simple point and click, with no glitches or problems.
I was using a Power Macintosh and the whole process went smoothly.
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Other Reviews
Pearson, Gloria. "Anno's Learning Games." CD-ROM News
Extra. October, 1994. Page 123.
"Anno's Learning Games is a delightful romp through math theory. Even adults will find amusement and will enjoy playing along with their child."
May, Mike. "Anno's Learning Games." American Scientist. November/December 1994. Page 577:
"...provides a novel approach to mathematics and logic, teaching about them without making it obvious, and entertaining a child in the process. In addition, our younger reviewers kept coming back for more."
See also: Spector, Lincoln. "CD-ROMs: What's Hot, What's Not." PC
World. February 1995. Page 123: