09347 Asst.

BIRTH+

MP3 UNIT

Thank you for choosing this PLAYSKOOL product!
Please keep this instructions booklet for future reference, as it contains important information for using your MADE FOR ME MP3 UNIT.

Made for Me

In order to function, this product must be used with PLAYSKOOL MADE FOR ME products. (Sold separately)

INCLUDES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Getting Started Using the MP3 Unit System Requirements...2 Software Installation....2. MADE FOR ME Library...3 Loading Pictures.... 5 Creating Your Music Library...6 Loading Music....7 Transferring Music to the MP3 Unit...10
MP3 Unit Software USB Cable Installation Disc
Understanding the MP3 Unit...13 Using the MP3 Unit with the MADE FOR ME MP3 MUSIC PLAYER (sold separately)..15 Using the MP3 Unit with the MADE FOR ME 2-IN-1 INFANT GYM (sold separately)..16 Using the MP3 Unit with the MADE FOR ME DAY-TO-DREAM SOOTHER (sold separately).20 Helpful Information Online Help....21
GETTING STARTED Introduction
For a quick and easy overview of the MADE FOR ME Library, be sure to watch the tutorial included on the Software Installation CD!
No one knows your baby better than you do. MADE FOR ME toys are designed to help you meet your babys unique needs! The MP3 UNIT allows you to control what your baby hearsfrom soothing and energetic songs to stories and even your own voice! NOTE
The MP3 unit will not work, record voice, or turn on unless it is positioned in another MADE FOR ME product (sold separately). The MP3 unit is powered by batteries in MADE FOR ME products, so you never have to worry about charging the MP3 unit!
Once the MP3 unit is positioned in a MADE FOR ME product (sold separately), you can turn the MP3 unit on by pressing the products Play button. Lights will flash, and there will be a tick tock sound while the MP3 unit powers up. You will then hear a voice prompt announcing the playlist. If nothing happens after you press the Play button, make sure the MP3 unit is securely in place, and the MADE FOR ME product (sold separately) is turned on. When you position the MP3 unit into a MADE FOR ME product (sold separately) and turn the product off, the MP3 unit automatically powers down.
USING THE MP3 UNIT System Requirements

Not Mac OS Compatible.

Microsoft Windows 2000/XP Intel Pentium II 350MHz, AMD K6-2 450MHz or better processor (Pentium III 450 MHz or higher recommended) 64MB RAM (128MB recommended) USB 1.1 port (USB 2.0 recommended) 30MB free hard drive space (more for audio content storage) CD-ROM drive with digital audio extraction support 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution

Software Installation

1. Turn on your computer. 2. Insert the MADE FOR ME Software Installation CD. Your CD should start automatically. If it does not, follow the steps below: Start Windows Explorer. On the left pane, click the MY COMPUTER icon. Right-click the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive icon, and then click AUTOPLAY. 3. Follow the instructions on screen. 4. If prompted, restart your computer.
Do not connect the MP3 unit to your computer before setting up the software.
MADE FOR ME Music Library
For a quick and easy overview of the MADE FOR ME Library, be sure to watch the tutorial included on the Software Installation CD. You can find the tutorial by following this path on your computer:
Start | All Programs | Playskool | MADE FOR ME Software | MADE FOR ME Software Tutorial

MADE FOR ME Software

File Play Edit View Tools Help

Image Window

Click here to Add Music

add music

Play Audio File

MP3 Unit

MADE FOR ME Library

New Library

Playtime
ABC Song.mp3..408.2KB Alouette.mpe...419.6KB Bingo.mp3.. 591.9KB Eensy Weensy Spider.mp3..264.5KB 1.0MB Happy and You Know It.mp3. Hey Diddle Diddle.mp3..224.5KB Hickory Dikory Dock.mp3. 170.2KB Lavender Blue.mpe.. 519.2KB MP3 unit is not detected. Please insert MP3 unit to transfer files.

Transfer Files

delete delete
To get started, launch the MADE FOR ME software. This will take you to the MADE FOR ME Library, which is where youll organize and store songs and audio files youd like to transfer to the MP3 unit. NOTE
You must use the MADE FOR ME software to transfer audio files to your MP3 unit.
Other features of the MADE FOR ME Library include:
A Play button to preview your audio files An Image Window, which lets you add your own pictures to the software

Playlists

The MADE FOR ME Library contains four playlists for organizing your audio files. These playlists are configured to work with the MP3 unit. You can also easily create multiple libraries containing these four playlists:
Playtime Sounds Soothing Favorites
1. Click on File | New Library in the task bar. 2. Name your new library and click OK. 3. Your new library will appear in the library list drop-down menu.
To change the name of an existing library, click on File | Save Library As. To delete a library, click on File | Delete Library.

Loading Pictures

To add pictures to your MADE FOR ME Image Window, simply click the Image Window button located in the upper right part of the screen. This will open a dialog box that allows you to browse your computer for images youd like to add to the MADE FOR ME Image Window. This dialog box is also where you can delete photos youd no longer like to include in your MADE FOR ME Library interface. NOTE

My Pictures

Select a picture:
None Orange Daisy Soccer Ball Chess Piece

Browse. Remove

Preview

Play as a slideshow

Slideshow interval:

seconds

OK Cancel
Supported digital picture formats are: JPG, JPEG, GIF and BMP images.
Images run in a slideshow on your computer. (The slideshow can be turned off by deselecting the Play as a Slideshow check box.) The arrows in the Image Window box allow you to cycle through the photos youve loaded. If you load only one photo, that is the photo that will appear on the screen.
Creating Your Music Library
Your MP3 unit will accept music downloaded from the Internet, or music ripped from your CD library (MP3, WMA, WAV files).
The MADE FOR ME Library is where youll gather and organize the music youll load onto the MP3 unit for use in your MADE FOR ME products (sold separately).
1. Click on one of the four playlists. 2. Click on the Add Music button, which brings you to the Add Music Wizard. 3. Your music will be stored in the playlist youve selected.

Transferring...50%

Click here to add music.
ABC Song.mp3..408.2KB Alouette.mpe...419.6KB Bingo.mp3.. 591.9KB Eensy Weensy Spider.mp3..264.5KB 1.0MB Happy and You Know It.mp3. Hey Diddle Diddle.mp3..224.5KB Hickory Dikory Dock.mp3. 170.2KB Lavender Blue.mpe.. 519.2KB

delete

59 MB free
Once youre back in the MADE FOR ME Library interface, you can move a song from one playlist to another by clicking on the song and dragging it to the desired playlist. You can also move a song by right-clicking on it and selecting Move File To. You then have the option of selecting one of the four playlists.

Loading Music

The Add Music screen gives you the choice of adding songs and audio files from your computer or ripping tracks from an audio CD. Once you have made your selection, click the Next button.

Add Music Wizard

Welcome to the Add Music Wizard
How would you like to add music to the MADE FOR ME Library?
Select music files from my computer Rip Audio CD to the MADE FOR ME Library

<Back

Next>

Cancel

Selecting Music Files from My Computer
From the Select Files/Folders to Add screen, you can browse your computer for files youd like to add to the MADE FOR ME library. Select the file or folder and click the + button to add.

Select Files or Folders

Select the music files or folders to be added into the MADE FOR ME Library.
Files and folders on My Computer
Desktop My Documents My Music
Always.wma Angel.mp3 Bad Medicine.wma My Computer
Files to be added to Playtime

Name Size

Local Disk (C:) Local Disk (E:) share on ctifs1 (S:) Debugging Tools for Windows Test
Always.wma Angel.mp3 Bad Medicine.wma Beds Of Roses.wma Best Of My Love.mp3 Blaze Of Glory.wma Brand New Day.mp3
3,610 KB 2,087 KB 2,778 KB 5,965 KB 2,555 KB 726 KB 4,481 KB

Plus/Add

Minus/Remove

<Back Next> Cancel

You can remove songs from your Files to be added to Playtime window by highlighting the song and clicking on the - button. When you are finished selecting songs, click the Next button.

Rip Audio CD

If you selected Rip Audio CD to Made for Me Library, and a CD is in your disk drive, you will be automatically directed to the Select CD Tracks screen and the CD tracks will show up in both your CD Tracks window and in your Tracks to be added to Playtime window. If you dont want to rip all of the tracks from your CD to your playlist, use the button to remove unwanted tracks from the Tracks to be added to Playtime. When you are finished, click the Next button.

Select CD Tracks

Select the CD Tracks or folders to be added into the MADE FOR ME Library.

CD Tracks

Tracks to be added to Playtime
T.J.s Theme Song The Safari Song Bibba & Jibba Jam Dust Bunny Blast Coldybear and the Three Penguins The Pirate Song Im Not Afraid Be a Hero The Teeny Tiny Song Three Little Cookies The Magic of Sharing Special Time Together
3,610 KB 2,087 KB 2,778 KB 5,965 KB 2,555 KB 726 KB 1,410 KB 2,022 KB 1,678 KB 3,265 KB 4,575 KB 1,826 KB
If a CD is NOT in your disk drive, you will be prompted to insert a CD before moving to the Select CD Tracks screen.

Final Steps

The Completed screen lists the songs and audio files you have added to your MADE FOR ME Library. From here, you can add additional songs by selecting the Add More button, or exit by selecting Close.

Completed

The wizard has completed adding music files to the MADE FOR ME Library.

Music files added : 6

No. File Status
E:\mp3\English\ T.J.s Theme Song.mp3 E:\mp3\English\The Safari Song.wma E:\mp3\English\Bibba & Jibba Jam_.mp3 E:\mp3\English\Dust Bunny Blast_.wma E:\mp3\English\Coldybear and the Three Penguins.wma E:\mp3\English\The Pirate Song.mp3
Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed

Add More

The songs you have added now appear in the MADE FOR ME Library. The number of songs and audio files you store in your MADE FOR ME Library varies according to your computers memory capacity.
Transferring Music to the MP3 Unit
Connect the MP3 unit to your computers USB port with the USB cable (included). Once the unit is connected to your computer, you should see a green blinking light on the MP3 Unit and the right side of your blinking screen becomes active. light From your MADE FOR ME Library (left side), click the playlist tab from which you want to transfer songs and select songs to transfer. Then, click the playlist tab on the MP3 unit (right side) where you want to transfer songs. TIP NOTE

Use the Control or Shift keys to select multiple songs or audio files at once. You can transfer songs into the same playlist on the Player or a different playlist.
The USB cord is not a toy. Intended for use by an adult. Once you have selected a song to transfer, use the right-pointing arrow button to transfer the song. When you click on the arrow, the transfer bar at the top will show the status of the transfer, and you should see a red blinking light on the MP3 unit. NOTE
Do not disconnect the MP3 unit from your computer while the red light is blinking, as it will result in a failed transfer.

transferring...50%

Made For Me Library
ABC Song.mp3..408.2KB Alouette.mpe...419.6KB Bingo.mp3.. 591.9KB Eensy Weensy Spider.mp3..264.5KB 1.0MB Happy and You Know It.mp3. Hey Diddle Diddle.mp3..224.5KB Hickory Dikory Dock.mp3. 170.2KB
Lavender Blue.mpe.. 519.2KB
You can use the left-pointing arrow to transfer a song from the MP3 Unit to your computer, which is useful if you have made a recording with the built-in microphone in the MP3 Unit. (See p. 14 for more information about voice recording.) The amount of memory remaining on the MP3 Unit is shown in the memory indicator below the MP3 Unit window.
Disconnecting Your MP3 Unit
To close out of your MADE FOR ME software, click the Close Window icon (X) in the upper right side of the window. You can disconnect your MP3 unit by clicking the Eject Disk icon from the task bar. Select USB Mass Storage Device (the MP3 unit) and click Stop. A dialog box will prompt you to remove your device. Unplug the USB cable from your computer. When the light on the MP3 unit goes from blinking green to solid yellow, you can unplug your MP3 unit. When unplugged, the MP3 unit will shut off automatically. TIP
Remember, even if you dont load your own music onto the MP3 unit, by sliding the unit into your MADE FOR ME product (sold separately), you get 50 songs and sound effects, categorized into the four playlists.
Understanding the MP3 Unit
The MP3 unit has three different play modes. Select your mode by pressing the button that corresponds to your desired play time (see diagram below). NOTE
The MP3 unit will not work, record voice, or turn on unless it is positioned in the product. If the product is turned off, the MP3 unit automatically powers down.

Green Light

Medium-Play Mode (15 minutes)
Long-Play Mode (30 minutes) Power

Short-Play Mode (1 song)

Voice Record
To preserve battery life, after two minutes of inactivity (following the end of your mode selection), the product will automatically shut off. The product will turn on again when the play button is pushed.
Selecting Playlists and Shuffling
To toggle between the Playtime, Soothing, Sounds, and Favorites playlists, or to Shuffle, simply press the large round button on the MP3 unit. A voice prompt helps you determine which playlist is about to be queued up in the MP3 unit. The MP3 unit also has a voice recording function. Follow these easy steps to record your own voice!

1. With the MP3 unit positioned in the MADE FOR ME toy (sold separately), press and hold the Record button. 2. Once the red light on the MP3 unit Red Light begins to blink, you can begin! Microphone 3. For best results, speak clearly into the microphone. Voice 4. Continue to press the Record button Record until you are finished your recording. 5. Once you have finished, the MP3 unit will play back your recording.

Playlist

While recording, if the red blinking light changes to a green blinking light, you have run out of memory. While recording, if the red blinking light changes to a solid red light, you have run out of battery power. In both cases, the recording will stop then play back what you recorded.
Your voice file will automatically be stored in your Favorites playlist, and will be assigned a file name. When you go back into your MADE FOR ME Library, you will be able to rename the file if you wish.
Using the MADE FOR ME MP3 Unit with the MADE FOR ME MP3 Music Player (sold separately)
The MP3 unit fits into the back of your MADE FOR ME MP3 MUSIC PLAYER (sold separately) and greatly enhances your Players performance. Slide the MP3 unit into the back as shown, and then turn the player on.
To release the MP3 unit, press the button on the back of the player, grasp the MP3 unit and pull it out.

Release Button

ENHANCING THE PLAY Using the MP3 Unit with the MADE FOR ME 2-IN-1 INFANT GYM (sold separately)

Inserting the MP3 UNIT

1. Position the Neck so that it is facing up, as shown.

Button

2.Press the button to open the cover.
3.Insert the MP3 UNIT and close the cover.

ON/OFF switch

4.Turn the product ON using the ON/OFF switch.
5. Turn the MP3 unit on by pressing the Play button.

Play Button

1. To listen to music, press the PLAY button.

Next Back Pause

2. Use the PAUSE button to pause the music, and the NEXT and BACK button to toggle through the song selections.
When you insert the MADE FOR ME MP3 UNIT into this product, the function of some of the buttons changes.

Puppy Toy

When the Neck is in the down position, the Puppy toy connects you to your Favorites play list. When you bat at the Puppy toy, you are automatically taken to the next selection on the Favorites play list of your MADE FOR ME MP3 UNIT.
To change play lists, you must make the change using the MADE FOR ME MP3 UNIT.

Bunny Toy

When the Neck is in the down position, and your child bats at the Bunny toy, hell be rewarded with sound effects! The song will be interrupted momentarily to play the sound, and then the song will continue.

Using the MP3 Unit with the MADE FOR ME DAY-TO-DREAM SOOTHER (sold separately)
Insert the MADE FOR ME MP3 UNIT as shown. Turn the DAY-TO-DREAM SOOTHER power button on, and press the Play button to turn the MP3 unit on. You can now control what your baby hearsfrom soothing and energetic songs to stories and even your own voice! You can also control the length of music play: 1 song; 15 minutes; or 30 minutes.

Enhancing the Play

PLAY button
The PLAY button now operates as another NEXT button: that is, when music is playing, you may advance to the next song selection by pressing either the NEXT button or the PLAY button.

Spinning Ball

The Spinning Ball now connects you to your Favorites play list. With each spin of the ball, you are automatically taken to the next selection on the Favorites play list of your MADE FOR ME MP3 UNIT.
To change play lists, you must make the change using the MP3 unit.

DAY / NIGHT mode switch

When using the MADE FOR ME MP3 UNIT, you must choose the play list to accompany your choice of DAY or NIGHT mode. Choose from Playtime, Soothing, Sounds, or Favorites. The function of all other buttons (Volume, Back/Next, Pause, On/Off, and the Play Mode switch) remains the same.
HELPFUL INFORMATION Online Help
For 24-hour online help resources, go to www.playskool.com/madeforme Also check the MADE FOR ME Web site periodically for updates to your MADE FOR ME software.
FCC STATEMENT This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate the equipment.
Shielded cables must be used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class B FCC limits. If you have any questions, please contact: Consumer Affairs, Hasbro, Inc. 1027 Newport Avenue Pawtucket, RI Tel: 1-800-752-9755
Creative and the Creative logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd in the U.S. and other countries.
2007 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. TM & denote U.S. Trademarks. 09347 Asst. P/N 6724240000
Questions? Call 1-800-PLAYSKL

CIRCULATION & Dust or Magic Chris Grabowich (chris@childrenssoftware.com, 800-9939499)
SUBSCRIPTIONS $96 for Electronic Only, $144 for Print & Electronic (12 issues including online access). Send payment to Childrens Technology Review, 120 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 or call 800-993-9499. Other subscription options are available, including Print, Electronic, Site Licenses, Review Alerts and Top 100 reports. Visit www.childrenssoftware.com to learn more. PRODUCT SUBMISSIONS. Send two products, with release information to Lisa Della Fave, Reviews Coordinator, 120 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 (Phone: 908-284-0404)
EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. In order to protect review integrity, CTR follows a set of editorial guidelines found at (www.childrenssoftware.com/editorialguidelines.h tml). Highlights include: We dont sell software or profit from the sales of products that we review. Review copies of software are donated to Mediatech, a non-profit, public technology center. We dont distribute/trade or sell subscriber information. There is no advertising content. We want our readers to know that there are no ulterior motives behind our reviews. PUBLISHER INFORMATION Childrens Technology Review (ISSN 1555-242X) is published monthly for $96 or $144 per year by Active Learning Associates, Inc. Send address changes or new subscriptions to Childrens Technology Review, 120 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Use of this publication for any commercial publishing activity without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Readers are subject to the TERMS OF USE found at www.childrenssoftware.com/disclaim.html Entire contents 2007 by Active Learning Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Warren Buckleitner, Editor Childrens Technology Review This Publication is Your Key to 8142 Reviews
Your paid subscription to CTR includes access to the Childrens Software Finder (TM) databaseour complete collection of reviews, archived since 1985. If youve lost or forgotten your password, please call 800-993-9499 between 9-3 PM EST. 2

Directory

Babies & Toddlers
Made for Me MP3 2-in-1 Infant Gym, www.hasbro.com/playskool/
Both new & future releases grouped by age. (*=version reviewed)
V.Smile Keyboard, V.Smile, www.vtechkids.com Upper Elementary Beautiful Katamari, Xbox 360, www.namcobandaigames.com Dance Praise 2: The Remix, Windows, Mac OSX, www.DigitalPraise.com Ed, Edd, n Eddy: Scam of the Century, Nintendo DS, www.d3publisher.us Flash Focus, Nintendo DS, www.nintendo.com homespellingwords.com, Internet Site, www.homespellingwords.com Legend of Zelda, The: Phantom Hourglass, Nintendo DS, www.nintendo.com Mercury Meltdown Revolution, Wii, www.ignitionusa.com NBA Live 08 (PS3), PlayStation 3*, Xbox 360, www.eagames.com Samba De Amigo, Wii, www.sega.com VEXplorer Robotics System, Smart Toy, www.revell.com Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals, Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows, www.microsoft.com

Early Elementary

American Idol Talent Challenge, TV-DVD, www.techtogo.com Early Elementary, Backyard Football '08, Wii*, PlayStation 2*, Windows, Nintendo DS*, www.backyardsports.com Bee Movie Game, Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii*, Nintendo DS, www.activision.com Bonus.com: Weapons of Math Destruction, website, www.Bonus.com Digimon World: Dusk, Nintendo DS, www.namcobandaigames.com EA Playground, Wii, Nintendo DS, www.eagames.com LOONEY TUNES: DUCK AMUCK, Nintendo DS, www.warnerbros.com Mastering Elementary School - 2008 Edition, Windows, Mac OSX, www.innovative-knowledge.com Mr. Scrambles, Smart Toy, www.educationalinsights.com My Sims (DS), Nintendo DS, www.ea.com Namco Museum DS, Nintendo DS, www.namcobandaigames.com Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots, PlayStation 2, Wii, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, www.thq.com StayAhead!, Internet Site, www.noetic-learning.com
Schools (Not organized by age)
iMovie '08, Mac OSX, www.apple.com Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary & Thesaurus, Windows, Mac OSX, www.innovative-knowledge.com Start Editing Now!, Interactive DVD, Mac OSX, Windows, videocraftworkshop.com

All Ages

BOB Time Manager, any platform that uses power plugs, www.usebob.com miVdo fx, video camera, www.b2stuff.com Saitek Mini UFO Hub, Windows, Mac OSX, www.saitekusa.com Xbox 360 Arcade, Xbox 360, www.microsoft.com

Acknowledgments

Mediatechs Serious Games Testers Club
Thanks to the following individuals, including the members of the Mediatech Foundation, who contributed their valuable feedback during the testing process. Lorele Bennet, 15; Jenna Buckleitner, 12; Sarah Buckleitner, 15; Jared C., 2; Tyler C., 4; David Carr 12; Daniel Della Fave, 8; Nick Della Fave, 12; Kelly H., 11; Thomas H., 14; Mohamed (Mo) Farid, 12; Caleb, H. 9; Ethan H., 11; Luke Grabowich, 8; Ian Grabowich, 15; Jon Gick, 18; Michael Harrington, 14; Laura Henry, 14; Ellie Hilgen, 4; Erin Hilgen, 11; Danny Inglin, 13; Matthew Kursa, 10; Frank Mondella, 13; Matthew Mondella, 10; Alyssa Mondella, 15; Keith Paternoster, 15; Greg Shriener, 22; Sarah Klinger, 18; Matt Ivans, 21; Austin Lyons, 12; Connor Lyons, 10; Owen Lyons, 6; Colleen Nester, 12; Jose Rincon, 13; Steven Rofrano, 12; Tim Wolock, 15. New products are tested and stored for public access and research at the Mediatech Foundation (www.mediatech.org), 118 Main Street, Flemington NJ.

Learn About

1. What is the white part of our eye called? Visit http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/eye_noSW.html and youll learn that the white of your eye is the sclera (say: sklair-uh), a tough material that has the important job of covering most of the eyeball. To learn more about parts of the eye, visit http://www.stlukeseye.com/Anatomy.asp 2. How big is the human eye? http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/bigeye.html The human eye is about 2.5 cm in length and weighs about 7 grams. Six bands of muscles attach to the eyeball to control the ability of the eye to look up and down and side to side.

http://www.1up.com

Getting Risqu on Club Penguin
ast month we received an email from a very concerned mom (see the complete text on the next page) about content her nine-year-old daughter had found on Club Penguin. Pranksters were sharing provocative penguin talk. So we asked her to capture some screen shots, with details. We also logged on during these times, as well as others, and witnessed some interesting activity. Children were inventing their own language to describe racy behavior. So should parents be concerned about this behavior? Can it cause damage, as this particular parent worries? The best way to judge is to have a look for yourself. To save you the trouble of signing on, weve included the screen shots that were sent to us as evidence (thanks to Joanna Warren for this). Heres here the original letter, reprinted with her kind permission, along with Club Penguins response.
Dear CTR, I am writing to you as a concerned parent because I have received no response from Club Penguin and the behavior I will describe has continued now for over 2 days. Considering your magazine has reviewed the site and your award seal is posted on their site, I felt you might be interested in the situation, and hoped sincerely that you might help. Our 9 year old daughter and 6 year old son are big fans of the site, and I have felt very comfortable with it for the 8 months they have used it as members. I have never felt it was unsafe, until my 9 year old daughter brought the following to my attention, and I logged on as her and experienced it first hand. On the US Server called Altitude in the Town area, apparently several people have devised a morphed version of sexually laced language and spend their time in the plaza using this language in plain sight. There are penguins using terms such as "Pro" which replaces the F word, and I'm not talking about one or two penguins. At any time I've logged on, there have been a minimum of 5 to 10 penguins in this plaza having conversations that are CLEARLY sexually based. For example, "who wants to pro?" "Open your tunnel baby the train is coming through" "take my braw off" "come pro at my igloo". They have even gone so far as to say things like "which girls want to pro with girls" "if you're a boy that likes to pro boys" etc.My daughter reported the conversations to a mediator, but no one has responded or stopped the behavior. (I checked to see if it was still going on before I sent this e-mail). I suspect this is a group of older kids, maybe teens that think they're being funny. But realistically, they are damaging our children by exposing them to this sexually laced content. I wrote an e-mail to Club Penguin describing the behavior and have not heard from them. As a parent, you expect these sites to be monitored, and based on the recommendations, awards and acknowledgements of magazines like yourselves, you trust that they will be. Fortunately, our daughter has enough common sense to report it herself and enlist the help of her parents. I have to say as a parent that Club Penguin is no longer a site that I trust. If there is anything you can do to review this behavior and raise it as an issue to Club Penguin, I would greatly appreciate it. Joanna Warren

Kids will be kids. Can an MMOG for children fence in such behavior?

By Bobbie Nester

Apparently word pro has become new slang for sexual behavior (screen captured 10/2/07)
Club Penguin replied to her email two days later. She forwarded the response to us:
In a cat and mouse game with the Club Penguin monitors, the words change, from Pro to Prom and later to seyy or perhaps references to the hospital. Another person talks about being banned (all screens captured by Joanna Warren)
From: Club Penguin Support <support@clubpenguin.com> Reply-To: Club Penguin Support <support@clubpenguin.com> Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2007 22:18:20 -0400 To: (parents email address) Subject: Club Penguin Support RE: Ticket: [1249275-44444] Hello, Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. All of us here at Club Penguin greatly appreciate you being involved in your child's online experience. We are aware that players are able to manipulate our word filter, and we are constantly taking steps to ensure that this cannot happen. When an inappropriate phrase is seen by our moderators we make sure that the phrase and variants of the phrase are added to our word filter, and we review each and every report made by our players, and we will ban all players using words such as 'Pro' with obvious sexual intent. We also have moderators online who continuously monitor our site. We are also creating a new "Smarter" word filter that will allow more innocent phrases to be seen while continuing to block all inappropriate phrases, and we hope to implement this feature very soon. We also offer an 'Ultimate Safe Chat' setting, which disables all chat privileges except for pre-made safe phrases, and players using this setting will not be able to see anything but pre-made safe phrases. Unfortunately, some of our users will continue to create new, seemingly innocent phrases which will be used with inappropriate intent. While we may not be able to catch each phrase before it is used, I can ensure you that our staff will remain diligent when dealing with any inappropriate phrases that appear in the future as quickly as possible. Thank you again for your continued involvement, and please feel free to email us with any other questions, concerns or comments you may have. You are also welcome to phone us toll free in North America at 1-888-861-4111. I hope that you and your family experience a safe and fun environment in Club Penguin. Sincerely, Cole Club Penguin Support

NOVEMBER 1, 07 Here's an alphabetical listing of new products, along with a full review, ratings and tester feedback. The "Entry Date" refers to the date we first learned of the product. The lead reviewer's initials appears at the end of the review. For a list of the reviewers, see page 2.
American Idol Talent Challenge
Got an itch to sing along with Kelly Clarkson? This American Idol kit contains a small two-channel amplifier, one microphone, an A/C adapter (no batteries required) and an interactive DVD. You supply the TV and DVD player. In order to use the microphone, you need to plug the sound and video out cables of your DVD player into the amplifier, and then the amplifier into your TV and stereo. Of course, you could get the same effect by simply plugging a microphone into your audio-in channel, but getting the levels mixed correctly might be tricky. Once the hardware is setup, you start the DVD and select the number of singers. Each player chooses one of 12 songs from the show and sings along, either with the original singer or karaoke-style, with the words showing. After the song, players rate one another (using the DVD remote) on a scale of 1 to 10. Based on the ratings, the DVD pulls a random quip from one of American Idol Judges. For example, if you rate your friends performance as a "10," you may get praise from Simon. The idea is fun, but the content and interactivity is limited. Note that you could use this hardware with any DVD. So you could take on the role of your favorite actor, for example, or sing along with a musical. Details: Tech2Go, www.techtogo.com. Price: $50. Ages: 6-up. Platform: TV-DVD. Teaches/Purpose: music, rhythm. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 3.9 stars. Entry date: 8/20/2007. [WB]

Feature Reviews

Ease of Use Educational Entertaining Design Features Good Value

Bee Movie Game

This mostly one-player movie game comes on a variety of game platforms, so the experience can vary. However, the story, which follows the movie, stays pretty much the same. We tested the Wii version for our ratings. Children take on the role of Barry B. Benson as they get to explore in the hive, get a job, drive a car, and fly through a maze of streets in an attempt to gather pollen and save the honey. There are 15 levels of oneplayer play, along with several multiplayer minigames, and plenty of cut scenes right from the movie. The games vary in quality, but are mostly fun, and the graphics are about the same as the movie -- amazing. If you like the wise-cracks of Jerry Seinfeld, you will like this movie. Unfortunately, there's a few inappropriate puns (e.g., where Berry talks about a tingling feeling in his "Jones") for example. While this may be typical Jerry Seinfeld, it moves it out of the children's category in some parent's minds. Too bad. Content includes a drive through a beehive, hi-tech bee gear including the The Pollinator, and a spy camera. There's a lot of racing and flying in this game through a variety of mazes, and the levels start rather low, so children can succeed. You learn to navigate an onslaught of traffic, avoiding collisions with speeding cars, tennis balls and angry hot dog vendors. There are controls to let you stop time, in order to dodge massive powerful raindrops, as bees cant fly in the rain. These are pretty innovative touches. Multiplayer mini-games include racing hotrods in New Hive City or competing in an aerial chase. Additional content in the Wii version includes some two-player games in the Generation Hex Arcade, with 16-bit style Activision arcade games revisited in bee themes. All in all, a good game to borrow. Published by Activision; created by Beenox (PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PC, $20), Smart Bomb (Wii$50), and Vicarious Visions (Nintendo DS, $30). Details: Activision, Inc., www.activision.com. Price: $20 - $50. Ages: 5-up. Platform: Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii*, Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: timing, logic, hand-eye coordination, sorting. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.2 stars. Entry date: 8/22/2007. [WB]

Ease of Use 9 Educational 10 Entertaining 10 Design Features 9 Good Value 9

Flash Focus

Ready for a logical challenge? One of what Nintendo calls "self improvement" games, the idea of Flash Focus is to "improve your vision" by way of 10 types of daily logic exercises. Like other titles in the Brain Age series, there is no research-tested validity to the implications that this title will either improve your visual abilities, or much else. But we can say that the puzzles are strong logical thinking exercises, and very well designed; better in fact than any paper and pencil equivalent. That's because the activities are delivered in timed doses and automatically leveled. So the better you do, the bigger the challenge. In addition, records are kept, so you can track improvement using a built-in calendar. Educators who want to see the pedagogy of the future, have a look at this title. The 10 games include Symbol Order, where three symbols flash on the screen in any of the 12 boxes. One symbol appears at a time for only a split second. The challenge is to remember each symbol and then enter all three symbols in the order in which they appeared. Box Track is a spin off of the shell memory game, where you try to follow the box, from three possible, that is hiding a small ball as they are quickly shuffled. In Baseball, the goal is to tap the ball on the touch screen as the pitch crosses the plate to score a hit. With each hit, the box gets bigger, making it more challenging to hit the speeding pitch. Drawbacks include the inability to easily exit from an activity, so you can become trapped (and get a lower, less accurate score). In addition, there's a lot of scripted instructions. But these are minor points, compensated for by the extremely well-designed pedagogy and clever problem solving setting. There's also the ability to share games with another player, via download play. The game can track up to four different users per cartridge. Whether you're a teacher looking for an activity for bright child, or a bored commuter, Flash Focus is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Created by Namco-Bandai for Nintendo. Details: Nintendo of America, www.nintendo.com. Price: $20. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: memory, matching, classification. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.4 stars. Entry date: 10/15/2007. [WB]
Ease of Use 7 Educational 10 Entertaining 8 Design Features 9 Good Value 10

ESRB Rating: Everyone

Freddi Fish and Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds
Note that this title was rereleased in 2007 as "Freddi Fish Kelp Seed Mystery." The code (and rating) is the same, but the graphics look jagged on modern, larger monitors. Keep in mind -- this title was state-of-the-art back in 1994. The Freddi Fish and Putt Putt series are one-player scavenger hunts that are high in control, and ideal for younger children. In this story, children embark on a mission to find all the kelp seeds. The graphics and music are similar to "Little Mermaid", even though this title was released before the Disney movie. To help Grandma Grouper replant her garden, children must search the ocean floor. Children help the fish search by clicking on pathways. Randomly sprinkled in the scenes are bottles containing clues to the missing seeds and special sea urchins that open up secret areas. The character development is excellent, as is the Caribbean-style music and graphics, making this a very pleasant program for young children. There are plenty of places to visit, with 40 screens -- each with about 10 hidden animations which vary in complexity and relate nicely to the story line. There are two structured games. Starfish Math is a five-level multiple-choice-style activity that focuses on addition. The activity's range of content is varied. In the first level, kids start out counting to three. Once they reach the fifth level, they can end up subtracting double digit numbers. In an arcade-style game, Feeding Time, children throw jellyfish at advancing sea animals. Higher levels provide different, faster animals. The story elements are the same with each use, but this was not a problem for our testers. Like the Putt-Putt and Fatty Bear titles, this is a lighthearted adventure that children will enjoy playing over and over again. We're happy to see it rereleased, and running nicely on Windows Vista. Details: Humongous Entertainment, www.humongous.com. Price: $13. Ages: 4-9. Platform: CD-ROM for Mac, DOS and Windows. Teaches/Purpose: problem solving skills, memory, counting, addition, subtraction. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.5 stars. Entry date: 8/22/1995. [WB]

Ease of Use 8 Educational 9 Entertaining 10 Design Features 9 Good Value 9
Hooked on Phonics Get Ready to Read Activity System
Just about anyone who lived through the '90s has heard the ads for Hooked on Phonics (1-800-ABCDEFG), a cassette and flash-card based home learning curriculum sold for $250, that promised to make kids successful readers -- or your money back. With new technologies have come the same promises, in the form of a line of electronic toys created by Zizzle, LLC. The flagship is a $50 Hooked on Phonics Get Ready to Read Activity System. About the size of a LeapPad, the battery-operated (3 AAs) toy comes with three spiral bound booklets that snap into a pocket. Children must then slide a bookmark to register each page, and then either explore the hot spots using a magnetic mouse, or be quizzed on the page contents. The chatty startup sequence leaves early readers wondering what to do next, while their parents search for headache relief from the repetitive dialog. As children work through the 48 pages of content, they match letters, colors, shapes and ending sounds, turning the page to change levels. Missing is customized feedback or record keeping, reducing the chances of hooking an elusive young child on much of anything. Details: Zizzle, LLC, www.zizzle.com. Price: $50. Ages: 4-up. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: reading, phonics. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 2.4 stars. Entry date: 10/23/2007. [WB]

iMovie '08

Dramatically redesigned from older versions (6.x and earlier), iMovie 08 (version 7.0 and higher) is a part of Apple's iLife '08's software suite. It is designed to simplify the archiving and storing of videos for use with iTunes, as well as to quickly edit movies. There are fewer editing features and a less intuitive interface than the older iMovie. If you're looking for the easy-to-use, powerful movie editor that older versions of iMovie used to provide, you won't unfortunately find it in this edition of iMovie. It might be time to migrate to Windows Movie Maker, Final Cut Express ($400) or Adobe Premiere ($800). This edition of iMovie does have some notable features. It organizes videos as they are imported and provides one click uploading to YouTube, your.Mac account (naturally), or other Apple video devices (iPhone or iPod). This edition also supports standard and high definition video, as well as DV, HDV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and AVCHD. In addition, it is important to note that while you can download older versions of iMovie for new Macs, Apple technical support told us they won't promise that it will work correctly with the new versions of iTunes, iPhoto or other iLife '08 software components. So you really don't have the choice. Details: Apple Computer, www.apple.com. Price: $80. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: archiving and digital video storage, creativity, videotaping, moviemaking. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.3 stars. Entry date: 10/29/2007. [WB]

Konami Kids Playground: Frogger Hop, Skip & Jumpin' Fun
This is one of four titles for the PlayStation 2 that resembles DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) with content geared toward preschoolers instead of teens. Children jump to the correct shape in order to match colored bugs, find a flower hiding the correct shape and so on. Most games follow this simple timed, multiple-choice format. The titles come bundled with a special vinyl mat that plugs into one of the PlayStation USB ports. (Note that these titles won't work with existing dance pads.) The 12 games vary in quality and developmental appropriateness for children, and progress can't be saved, so there's little or no continuity to the experience. That said, several of the games succeed in getting children moving, and it is easy for children to learn where these activities are. (Note that younger children may need to be shown how to exit from the games.) The game is a good idea, but it could be better. It succeeds in turning a PlayStation/TV context into a playful movement activity. If you already own the mat, you can buy additional titles alone for $20. Other titles (each beginning with the Konami Kids Playground prefix) include Alphabet Circus, Dinosaurs Shapes & Colors, and Toy Pals Fun with Numbers. Designed by ImaginEngine for Konami. Details: Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., www.konami.com. Price: $40. Ages: 2-5. Platform: PlayStation 2. Teaches/Purpose: movement, gross motor movement, classification. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4 stars. Entry date: 8/22/2007. [WB]
Konami Kids Playground: Toy Pals Fun With Numbers
Counting with your feet? Designed to get children using their feet instead of their Educational thumbs, this is one of four titles for the PlayStation 2 that resembles DDR (Dance Dance Entertaining Revolution), only with content geared toward preschoolers instead of teens. For example, one game has children jumping across a stream by connecting numerals -- in sequence -Design Features before time runs out. Good Value The titles come bundled with a special vinyl mat that that plugs into one of the PlayStation USB ports. (Note that the titles won't work with existing dance pads.) The 12 ESRB Rating: Everyone games vary in quality and developmental appropriateness for children, and progress can't be saved -- so there's little or no continuity to the experience. That said, several of the games succeed in getting children moving, and it is easy for children to learn where these activities are. (Note that younger children may need to be shown how to get out of a game.) As a way to turn a PlayStation and TV into a movement area, this series works. If you already own the mat, you can buy additional titles alone for $20. Other titles (each beginning with the Konami Kids Playground prefix) include Alphabet Circus, Dinosaurs Shapes & Colors, and Frogger Hop, Skip & Jumpin' Fun. Designed by ImaginEngine for Konami. Details: Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., www.konami.com. Price: $20. Ages: 2-5. Platform: PlayStation 2. Teaches/Purpose: school readiness, movement, counting, numerals. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.1 stars. Entry date: 8/22/2007. [WB]

Sims 2 Castaway, The

Ease of Use 8 92% This sequel features a new story that ties together 100 missions, 34 playable Educational 9 multiplayer theme-park games and social interaction with park guests that features inEntertaining 10 depth conversations to advance the plot and suggest better ways to manage the park. Players create their theme park, build and ride their creations, talk with guests and play Design Features 10 minigames. Good Value 9 The game features 15 theme areas, including Battleville, Winterville, Spaceville and Aerobille, as well as five new parks. Players can create death-defying coasters such as ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+, Fantasy Violence Hotrod Stunt, where a nitro-boost propels a car across a broken track, or the Escape Drop, Mild Lyrics where the track holds the car stationary as it lifts itself from level ground to a full 90Suggestive Themes degree drop. Players can customize their rides by attaching animatronics, flowers and flaming hoops. Colleen (12) liked how you can make your own person and talk to people. "The games are cool, the graphics are great, you can ride the rides, run the park and build extreme roller coasters! The two-player feature for the minigames is fun, but it would be more fun if you could play two-player mode in the park. That way, you can find each other and ride the roller coasters you each built together." Colleen also felt the tutorial was too long, it took a long time to unlock things, and there weren't as many clothes to choose from. That being said, however, this is definitely a game she plans to buy (or at least put on her "wish list".). Prices are $40 for PS2 and PSP, $50 for Wii and Xbox 360, $35 for Nintendo DS, and $30 for PC. Details: LucasArts, www.lucasarts.com. Price: $40. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2*, PSP, Windows XP. Teaches/Purpose: creativity. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.6 stars. Entry date: 8/20/2007. [] VEXplorer Robotics System
Ideal for reconnaissance on a moody big sister, the $200 VEXplorer Robotics System is a durable six-wheeled vehicle that can be safely controlled from the next room by remote control. An onboard camera can transmit live video and audio through your TV, and an adjustable gripping claw makes it possible grab items as large as a soda can. The kit, released last month from Revell (www.revell.com), comes mostly preassembled with parts compatible with the larger VEX Robotics Design System which was acquired last year by Innovation First from Radio Shack. Unlike the LEGO Mindstorms snap-together approach, the VEX system resembles a serious Erector Set, with real nuts and bolts and strong servo motors. But these robots are harder to assemble and modify, making them better suited for older children. VEXplorer requires 11 batteries and includes 24 gears, four motors, a camera and a six channel remote, plus a trial version of SolidWorks, a professional CAD program. Whether it is for simple spying or more tricky jobs like retrieving a stolen sweater from behind enemy lines, here's a toy with transferable skills. Details: Revell-Monogram, Inc., www.revell.com. Price: $200. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: fine motor skills; spatial relations; remote-control operation. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.4 stars. Entry date: 10/9/2007. [WB]

Thrillville: Off the Rails
Ease of Use 6 Educational 10 Entertaining 10 Design Features 9 Good Value 9
Ease of Use 8 88% This expansion pack for Zoo Tycoon 2 (needed in order to play) brings 30 animals Educational 9 back from time. Tester favorites include the American Mastodon, Saber-Tooth Cat and the Entertaining 10 Giant Dodo. In addition, there's a nice selection of dinosaurs, including the Styracosaurus and T-Rex. Fortunately, there's also jumbo-sized tranquilizer gun that can be used to keep Design Features 9 the dinosaurs from rampaging. While there are some scary elements, such as animals Good Value 8 eating one another, there is never any gore or excessive violence. As children purchase and raise animals, they can earn more money and collect ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+, Cartoon Violence photographs of their creatures. There are new exhibit materials, theme buildings, and guest attractions, including T-Rex mascots that roam around the zoo and a hands-on cave painting exhibit. So why not a higher rating? Partly because this is an expansion pack, which affects the value. In terms of a good mix of fun, learning and creativity, this title is top rate. We liked the incorporation of factual knowledge in this game. Children learn about how animals live, eat and play, and a Zoopedia is always handy for reference. Developed by Blue Fang Games LLC for Microsoft, this expansion pack requires the original Zoo Tycoon 2 disk to play. Details: Microsoft Corporation, www.microsoft.com. Price: $30. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, animals, veterinary studies. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.4 stars. Entry date: 10/29/2007. [WB]
Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals
New & Future Releases
NOVEMBER 1, 07 This section contains a listing, with notes, on products currently being reviewed or being considered for a review. Some of these may appear in upcoming issues following further testing.
2Simple 2Paint A Picture This is a painting program for pre-K to 6th grade students. The younger children can experiment with a variety of brush styles and pattern-making templates, while older children can make use of special effects or experiment with Pop Art, eCollage, Mosaic and Modernism. The Help Videos show children how to use the various techniques and are aligned with the National Standards for Arts Education. The program saves in a variety of file types allowing children to export their work to other 2Simple program, including 2Create A Story and 2Animate. Site licenses are available. Details: 2Simple USA Inc., www.2simpleusa.com. Price: $50. Ages: 4-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, art. Entry date: 8/27/2007. Backyard Football '08 This sixth edition of Backyard Football comes on four platforms, which vary in look and feel. But if you've ever played any of the older versions, you don't notice much difference, other than the newer player roster. The one exception is the Wii version, which lets you make forward passes or tackles by flicking the Wii Remote. Other games play nearly identically to earlier versions. One thing in this version that isn't in previous editions is NFL stars (Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Vince Young). All in all, if you're looking for a strong beginning football simulation with kid friendly themes, Backyard Football continues to be a solid choice, with multiple levels, unlockables, powerups, minigames and funny play-by-play commentary. So why not a higher rating? Because other football simulations, such as those from EA Sports and 2K Sports have continued to improve, offering a viable alternative to the Backyard series. The DS and PS2 versions are $30 and PC version is $20.) Details: Humongous Inc., www.backyardsports.com. Price: $40. Ages: 5-up. Platform: Wii*, PlayStation 2*, Windows, Nintendo DS*. Teaches/Purpose: sports, football. Entry date: 7/10/2007. Beautiful Katamari Easier to play that to describe, this one-player version of Katamari was made exclusively for the Xbox 360. But the heart of the game is the same -- using the two joysticks, you roll a large sticky ball around an obstacle course, picking up everything in its way. It's like a large snowball. The graphics and music are very rich; the game is a bit like stepping into an exotic painting. What's different about this edition? This is the first time the Katamari franchise rolls into the online world. There is an online multiplayer mode for up to four players -- so you can see who can collect the most objects, or work together in co-op mode to roll the same Katamari. But it isn't nearly as much fun as it is when playing with another player. Note that the beginning of the game requires a bit of reading, although you can skip through it. Details: Namco Bandai Games America Inc., www.namcobandaigames.com. Price: $40. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Xbox 360. Teaches/Purpose: logic, spatial relations, fine motor development. Entry date: 7/16/2007. BOB Time Manager BOB combines a physical switch with a timer so that parents can set limits on screen time. Once the time is up, the electronics shut off. It is designed to put an end to child-parent conflicts about screen time, in theory anyway. Parents first plug BOB into any electronic device with a screen and set the timer for up to six users. The accounts are PIN activated, and parents can block usage for specific times of the day if need be. Once a child reaches their hourly, daily, or weekly limits, BOB shuts off the screen by disconnecting the electricity. Of course, there are ways around any system, such as going to a friends house to play. But BOB is one solution that takes a very direct approach. Details: Hopscotch Technology, www.usebob.com. Price: $100. Ages: 4-up. Platform: any platform that uses power plugs. Teaches/Purpose: a utility for parents. Entry date: 10/19/2007.

Made for Me MP3 2-in-1 Infant Gym Part of a set of three different baby/toddler toys, this is a convertible play center that works as a stand alone toy (by default) or can be used to play music from the Made for Me MP3 player. So, you could put your audio files inside your child's toys, providing you're comfortable using a computer to manage audio files. The gym contains six removable and interchangeable toys: a rattle, squeaker, teether, clacker pages, spinner, and a roller ball. There is also a clicking dial and a squeak spot. Two fabric batting characters reward childs movements with lights, songs and sounds, and a mirror is designed for tummy play. We were less impressed with the responsivity of this busy box when used with the MP3 player. Babies don't understand that they can control the songs on the unit by pressing the large button. As a stand-alone toy, its not bad, however (although that's not really our department at CTR) and the ability to use it as an extension of your music collection is certainly interesting. Requires four AAA batteries and a bit of assembly. Other toys in the series include the Made for Me MP3 Music Player and the Made for Me Day to Dream Soother. Details: Playskool (Hasbro), www.hasbro.com/playskool/. Price: $40. Ages: 0-2. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: cause and effect. Entry date: 10/25/2007. Mastering Elementary School - 2008 Edition Part of the Weekly Reader Learning System, this software is designed to improve grades and increase standardized test scores, help with homework, build learning skills and encourage independent study habits. Subjects covered include Math, Geography, Science, History and English. Each title in The Learning System provides easy access to lessons by way of a single menu, and all lessons share a consistent look and feel, eliminating the need to learn different menus and navigational techniques. Progress can be monitored by students and parents through exams presented after each lesson, which can be printed out or taken directly on the computer. In addition, the lessons can be loaded on an iPod or iPod Nano. Look for a full review in an upcoming issue. Details: Innovative Knowledge, www.innovative-knowledge.com. Price: $30. Ages: 6-10. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: math, science, geography, history, and English. Entry date: 10/2/2007. Mercury Meltdown Revolution This game, exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, gives players full interaction using the Wii Remote motion sensor. Players must guide their shimmering blob of liquid metal through a world full of traps and escape without spilling the precious mercury. The color of the blob has to be changed and mixed to complete certain levels, and players must sometimes control more than one blob at a time, being careful to keep enough mercury in play to finish the level. Completing levels allows the player to unlock additional content including mini-games such as Race, Shove, Rodeo, Paint and Metrix. Details: Ignition Entertainment USA, www.ignitionusa.com. Price: $20. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: logic, spatial relations, fine motor control, problem solving. Entry date: 10/19/2007. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary & Thesaurus This CD-ROM dictionary is designed to provide students with accurate, up-to-date information while word processing, composing e-mail, designing spreadsheets, browsing CDs or surfing the Web. It contains 225,000 definitions, more than 340,000 synonyms and antonyms, and audio pronunciation of every work including variant pronunciations. It also features 21 search options to help you find the right word and is iPod and iPod nano enabled. Details: Innovative Knowledge, www.innovative-knowledge.com. Price: $20. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: dictionary and thesaurus. Entry date: 10/2/2007. miVdo fx This hand held camcorder is designed to let you film and edit your own Music Videos. It comes equipped with special recording and editing features and allows you to edit and personalize you videos on-the-go. Users can record music while video taping, and shoot footage or still images with special effects. It is compatible with all iPods and other mP3 players, and the one-touch fx buttons give you 10 different special effect that run automatically during recording and can be interchanged during the recording process. It also features built in 32 MB memory, 1.5" TFT LCD display, 4x digital zoom, and an SD card slot. Details: Blue Box Toys, Inc., www.b2stuff.com. Price: $150. Ages: 10-up. Platform: video camera. Teaches/Purpose: video camera. Entry date: 10/16/2007.

Neuromatrix Designed to teach the basic structures and functions of the brain, this program uses puzzles and arcade-like games to help older children understand how parts of the brain work together to function. Concepts include the fundamental units and processes of the brain (the neuron and the synapse), how brains change, store memories as parts of pictures, and how they are affected by mood swings, sleep rhythms and so on. In the game, players try to figure out which parts of each scientist's brain have been invaded by some Nanobots. They go inside the brain -- a bit like Ms. Frizzle (think "Magic School Bus") -- and explore the parts of the brain. Unfortunately, our demonstration copy would not play sounds or videos correctly (running Windows Vista), preventing us from rating this program. Details: Morphonix LLC, www.morphonix.com. Price: $call. Ages: 11-14. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: science, biology, brain function, logic. Entry date: 7/16/2007. Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots In this multi-platform fighting game from THQ, Professor Calamitous constructs an army of evil toys based on the Nicktoons Heroes and launches them on a multidimensional invasion. Players will help the Nicktoons infiltrate his evil plan and defeat their evil duplicates as they play as 11 of their favorite Nicktoons characters including SpongeBob, Tak, and Jimmy Neutron. The game features new mechanical combat suits equipped with upgradeable weapons that can be used in five worlds: Bikini Bottom, Amity Park, Evil Toy Co. Factory, Calamitous' Lair, and Fairy World. A two-player cooperative mode is in the Bonus Levels. "Hero Zones" showcase each characters signature abilities such as: SpongeBob's Tongue Sliding; Tak's Power of Juju for enhanced jumping and climbing; and Danny Phantom's ability to become a ghost to fly and using his ectoblast to fire at enemies. Details: THQ, Inc., www.thq.com. Price: $30. Ages: 6-up. Platform: PlayStation 2, Wii, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: logic, spatial relations, timing, strategy. Entry date: 9/26/2007. Saitek Mini UFO Hub In an effort to add some zip to putty-gray office cubicles, the engineers at Saitek (www. saitekusa.com) have been combining brightly colored LEDs with every day peripherals. Case in point, last month's Mini UFO Hub, a round four port USB 2.0 expander just bigger in diameter than a silver dollar. For digital frosting the translucent device contains a single LED that subtly pulses through the color spectrum. The small size and snap-in port holder make it good for traveling, and the LED has absolutely no function, other than to cause onlookers to take a second look. This isn't the first example of digital bling from Saitek. Last year's $20 Notebook Optical Mouse was also laced with LEDs, giving the 800 dpi USB an outer space look. The smaller size and quiet glow of these peripherals will show up any darkened lecture hall or coffee shop, where it might be fun to attract a little attention. Details: Saitek Industries, Ltd., www.saitekusa.com. Price: $20. Ages: NA. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: a computer peripheral. Entry date: 10/22/2007. Samba De Amigo Old timers might remember Samba De Amigo, an innovative Dreamcast title that used special shakers with movement sensors, and helped launch titles like DDR. This Wii edition will use the Wii controllers to replace the need for a special controller, and content will include a samba-infused soundtrack from the original game. Players become a monkey and shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk like maracas, in time with the visual beats of the music on-screen in order to advance to harder stages. Developed by Gearbox Software for Sega. Coming for the Wii in Spring 2008. Details: Sega of America, Inc., www.sega.com. Price: $call. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: music, rhythm. Entry date: 10/25/2007. Smart Sticks Bilingual Numbers This handheld electronic toy is designed to introduce basic counting skills in both English and Spanish. There are four modes that teach number identification and number order using the Hooked on Phonics philosophy while incorporating music, sounds, and graphics. They are: Identify Numbers, Find Numbers, What Comes After?, and Bilingual Numbers Learning Song. Details: Zizzle, LLC, www.zizzle.com. Price: $15. Ages: 2-up. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: numbers in English and Spanish. Entry date: 7/3/2007.

Smart Sticks Letters and Sounds This handheld electronic toy is designed to help your child learn the alphabet and phonemes of each letter using the Hooked on Phonics philosophy. Four Modes of play are: Identify Letter Names & Sounds; Find Letter Names; Find Letter Sounds; and ABC Learning Song. Details: Zizzle, LLC, www.zizzle.com. Price: $15. Ages: 2-up. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: letters, phonics. Entry date: 7/31/2007. Start Editing Now! This is an instructional DVD series designed for teachers to help them teach older children (ages 10-up) video editing techniques. There are three discs. Disc One is a DVD video with three complete classroom workshops including: How To Use Cuts To Tell A Story; How To Edit Dialogue; and How To Create Proper Pacing In a Scene. Discs Two and Three are DVD-ROMs with "MultiTrack Movies" for use with every lesson. Students can use clips from the mini movies to build their own movies and mix and match different takes to tell a story in their own way. Note that you must supply your own editing software, such as iMovie or Moviemaker, to actually create a movie. No editing software is included in this package. It also comes with a video teacher's guide, lesson plans, and extra teaching ideas. The price ($130) is for the Classroom Workshop Edition and is compatible with all video editing software programs. The home version is $70. Details: Video Craft Workshop, videocraftworkshop.com. Price: $130. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Interactive DVD, Mac OSX, Windows. Teaches/Purpose: video editing. Entry date: 5/9/2007. StayAhead! StayAhead! is an individualized online math program for upper elementary school children that offers daily doses of individualized math worksheets. See the samples at http://www.noeticlearning.com/homeworkweb. We tried the samples and noted that all of the problems are multiple choice (e.g., Round 5,473 to the nearest hundred? A) 5,000 B) 5,400 C) 5,500 D) 5,470). Answers are generated instantly. There is no long term commitment, and children can take a free assessment test. Details: Noatic Learning LLC, www.noetic-learning.com. Price: $20/month. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Internet Site. Teaches/Purpose: math facts. Entry date: 10/8/2007. V.Smile Keyboard This $30 peripheral for the V.Smile TV Learning System (not included in the price) is designed to turn your TV into a child's first typing tutorial. Note that there is a bit of controversy about the developmental level that children should be at before they start keyboarding. Other V.Smile peripherals include the V.Smile Jammin' Gym Class, V.Smile Art Studio and the V.Smile SmartBook. Details: VTech Electronics North America, www.vtechkids.com. Price: $30. Ages: 5-8. Platform: V.Smile. Teaches: typing/keyboard tutorials. Review date: 2/27/2007. V.Smile SmartBook This $30 peripheral for the V.Smile TV Learning System (not included in the price) uses a tethered stylus to let children touch pictures or words to see the animation on the TV screen. The book plugs into one of the controller ports on your television. Three book/cartridge titles include Toy Story, Spider-Man and Dora the Explorer. Details: VTech Electronics North America, www.vtechkids.com. Price: $30. Ages: 3-6. Platform: V.Smile. Teaches/Purpose: reading, language. Entry date: 2/26/2007. Xbox 360 Arcade Microsoft's Xbox 360 Console for Families is a bundle of five games, a wireless controller, a high-definition (HDMI) connection and 256 MB of memory. The games are Pac-Man Championship Edition (Nanco), Uno (Carbonated Games), Luxor 2 (MumboJumbo), Boom Boom Rocket (Electronic Arts Inc.) and Feeding Frenzy (Sprout Games). Microsoft also announced today that it is expanding its catalog of On Demand games, with titles that include Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Blues Clues, the Backyardigans, SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam and others, through the Xbox 360 over Xbox Live. Details: Microsoft Corporation, www.microsoft.com. Price: $280. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Xbox 360. Teaches/Purpose: a bundle of games and hardware. Entry date: 10/28/2007.