PBS Kids Play! CD-ROM

$20, Windows, Mac OSX

Teaches: reading, early math, sorting, colors, shapes

CTR Rating: 64%

CTR Review

Here's a clever but sneaky trick -- to put a bookmark for a website on a CD-ROM, and disguise it as a stand alone program. In reality, this is nothing more than a printed code in a box, good for three months of access to the subscription based PBS Kids Play service. In other words, you can get the exact same experience by simply going to www.pbskidsplay.com, downloading the software, and subscribing. So read the fine print closely to make sure you know what you're getting if you see this in the stores.Installing the CD and typing in the code did give us a chance to take a fresh look at the PBS Kids Play website, however. Since it first launched last year, there's a lot more content -- 40 games -- plus new archived video clips. Unfortunately, most of the activities offer little for a busy child to do; with long loads (still over a minute) and no shortage of dialog. In the music making game, you're supposed to click on instruments to play with parts of songs, but you don't have any choice in how the song sounds. Curious George shows no signs of being curious, and Mr. Rogers doesn't show up in his Land of Make Believe. One bright spot -- Wumpa's World Make-a-Flake, a digital equivalent to cutting up a snowflake, that also includes a responsive ice-block building game. Supplementary materials in the box include a progress chart & stickers and a bonus DVD with copies of classic shows.