The American Girls Premiere
Reviewed by Cynthia A. Sorrels
Published by The Learning Company

Age Group: Age 8 and Up Type: Art & Creativity Price: $ 44.99 US

PC version requires:
486/66, 8 MB RAM, 2x CD-ROM, Windows 95, 640x480x256, Mouse, keyboard

Mac version requires:
Version available.

Description:

The American Girls Premiere takes the girls from the book and toy series and places them into a format that will allow girls to write their own American Girl stories. Each of the five American Girls characters has a complete set of historically-accurate sets, accessories, etc. Stuck for an idea? There are online ideas girls can use to get started. First, choose a scene and decorate with props and accessories. Then casting - which American Girl? Costars? Now, direct the actions of each character, write a script and record it, add dramatic special effects such as music, sound effects and lighting.

We looked at the "Special Edition Collector's Tin" which comes in a nice tin and includes the program, The American Girls Club Membership Kit featuring a Club Handbook, club baseball cap, membership card and premiere issue of American Girls News with subscription for six more issues. The title is available in a "Regular Edition" also, for approximately $34.99, if you can live without the tin and baseball cap!

Features:

• Special Edition items named above.
• Ease of Use
• 5 main characters, 60 sets, 125 props, 55 co-stars, 45 costumes, 16 actions and emotions per character, over 250 distinct sound effects, 250 musical selections, dramatic lighting effects.
• Sample plays and play starters.
• Beginner and advanced tutorials.
• User interface buttons are similar to VCR or CD player controls.
• Design and print playbills, scripts.

Reactions:

A few years ago, we eagerly awaited our first computer/creativity/playmaking program and were pretty much disappointed. I remember hoping for major improvements in upcoming versions. My hopes have come to pass!

My family has been aware of The American Girls books and dolls over the past several years, but quite frankly, the prices seemed ridiculously steep. This program, while designed to pull together the books and dolls, is an admirable and affordable stand-alone product.

In fact, it beats every other title like it that we've seen for ease of use - and we've seen quite a few of them. (OK, specifically: Broderbund's Read, Write, Action!, Fox Interactive's Simpson's Cartoon Studio, and Theatrix Interactive's Hollywood High.) It seems like we've looked at another one or two but their names escape me. This two CD-ROM set is nicely put together - installation is on Disk 1 and the program runs on Disk 2, so there isn't any switching back and forth. The scenes look startlingly realistic and it was a real blast to see my own production in full bloom!

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