Toy Story Animated Storybook
Reviewed by Ty Brewer
Published by Disney Interactive

Age Group: Age 2 to 5, Age 4 to 8 Type: Language Arts Price: $34.95

Description:

The Toy Story Animated Storybook by Disney Interactive is well on its way to becoming one of the most popular children's software titles ever. Why? Mainly because Disney offers great entertainment values at a reasonable price. Toy Story is no exception. The movie was incredible and to be able to bring it home on a program that will keep your tykes happy for weeks is almost too good to be true.

When first looking at this program, it seemed to be another version of the Living Book series; nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, the screen offers two options: Hamm the Piggy Bank will read the story or you can play in the story. There the similarities end. In Toy Story, the incredible animations make for unique clickables. Check them all out!

Unlike Living Books, however, Toy Story goes several steps further by including educational games and puzzles that are extremely innovative, FUN as well as being very cleverly disguised learning tools.

Five Unique Games!

The games follow the Toy Story storyline and include: The Put-Away Game - a matching game that involves putting toys in their proper places. This game will help develop and understanding of "drag and drop."

Woody's Scheme is a clever Rube Goldberg take-off featuring animated toys. Once the toys are each in the correct place, watch what happens! This area helps children with sequencing skills.

Before going to the Crane Game, try playing "Whack an Alien" - you've probably played it at a pizza restaurant only it was called "Hopping Hippos" or such. Then you get to the Crane Game, which is a color matching and number game. There are three levels of play. "You have been chosen!"

The Escape Plan involves figuring out how to solve each of three puzzles. The first part calls for Ducky and Legs to ring the doorbell. The next part of the plan is to make a stack with toys to open the door to Sid's room. The toys must be stacked in the correct order! Finally, help Woody and Buzz avoid objects lying on the staircase as they head downstairs, trying to avoid Spud and Sid. Good luck! These games build visual and spatial skills through the manipulation of the virtual objects.

The Maze Game is a real challenge, with three levels of difficulty. Can you help Buzz and Woody escape Spud and catch the moving van? HINT: Study the map carefully - avoid construction areas and intersections controlled by traffic lights.

One of the most interesting pages in the story is the "dark" page. Use Sid's flashlight to shine around the room! This scene is truly amazing...no batteries necessary.

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[Beginners - Ages 2-5 - Ages 4-8 - Ages 8 up - Grownups]

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