Storybook Workshop

$40, Wii

Teaches: reading, language, stories

CTR Rating: 86%

CTR Review

One of the most innovative language titles we've reviewed all year, this mixture of story telling and stories lets you narrate 16 classic children's fairy tales and fables from Hans Christian Anderson, Aesop, the Brothers Grimm and Japan. There's a lot of problems with the interface to note. The music can be overbearing and changing and naming characters is tricky. Also, the graphics could be less distracting. But the paint with your voice activity is so innovative that it's nearly worth the price of this program, alone. A USB microphone is included in the $40, turning your Wii into a simple and affordable storybook jukebox. Children can read along, record and play back readings of favorite stories. You can also sing along to four children's songs and record those performances. The Magic Voice Box option allows you to alter your voice to match the storybook characters' speech as you read. You can also earn the option to use your Mii in select stories, play games in the Play & Learn Mode, and track progress by using a virtual sticker pad (the more books you read, the more stickers you earn). Using these features can be tricky, however, and (strangely) require reading. This could be an essential tool for a speech therapist because of the way it allows children to see their voice. Stories include: Little Red Riding Hood; The Ugly Duckling; The Town Musicians of Bremen; Be Kind to the Earth; The Boy Who Went to the North Wind; The Little Match Girl; The Happy Prince; The Giant Turnip; A Glove; Hats for the Jizos; Three Wishes; The Star Money; The Elves and the Shoemaker; and The Golden Goose. See the preview here http://www.konami.com/games/storybook/