Amazing Animals

  • PC/MAC
  • By DK Multimedia
  • For ages 5-9

KidSource OnLine Review

Summary

 Amazing Animals is, true to its title, amazing! There is a database of 120 animals with six multilevel games. Each win is rewarded with a "sticker" that goes in a collection book. The goal is to become an "Animal Expert." Players can make masks and stationery, and take fun quizzes. But there's also enough information to help with those first research projects on animals. It's a winner!

Educational
Value

 For children who like animals, this software makes learning about them an exciting adventure. The database contains narrated text entries, photos, sounds, and even videos. The quizzes seem to ask questions about animals that most adults wouldn't remember (if they ever knew it to begin with!), but the clues provide the answers if your child likes to be "right" every time. And there is enough information about the animals to pull together a small research project, yet it's presented in a format that's enticing to the 5-9 year old audience.

Fun Factor

 This software is narrated by Henry the Lizard, known to those who watch the Disney Channel show Amazing Animals. He's familiar, fun, and lively. Children can play six multilevel games, several of which can be played with a partner. My boys loved the shooting game (surprise!), where they would shoot pictures while on a photo safari. They'd have to shoot only furry animals, for example, yet all kinds of animals would pop their heads out of the forest. If a player reaches the target score, a multiple choice Expert question appears. A correct answer earns a sticker. Other games include a sliding picture puzzle game where, at harder levels, the pieces continue to scramble as players try to arrange them.

Lasting Value

 The amount of activities and information is enough to entertain and educate for quite a while. I see no end in sight for my seven- and eight-year-old sons using this program.

Quality

 The animations, photograhs, and videos are very well done. The program flows smoothly, with navigation relatively easy. There are Parent's Notes in the Options area, which give detail on how to use the program. Amazing Animals worked almost as well on my four-year-old PowerMac as on my new PC. The newer PC was faster, of course.

Description

From backyard beasts to Earth's most exotic creatures, Amazing Animals gives children an unparalleled introduction to the wonders of the animal world. Inspired by the popular TV and video series seen on the Disney Channel, this activity pack combines an interactive CD-ROM full of compelling activities, resources and games---with two animal books, stickers and a ready-to-assemble mobile, plus a link to the Amazing Animals site on the World Wide Web.

Requirements

PC System Requirements

Macintosh® System Requirements

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