Orly�s Draw-A-Story

$15, Win 95, Win 3.1, Mac OS (CD-ROM) Not Windows XP

Teaches: writing and creativity

CTR Review

NOTE: this program would not install on Windows XP.The kids can't get enough of this truly innovative program that provides multiple opportunities for creative expression. With the island of Jamaica as a backdrop, children are first introduced to Orly, a little girl with a penchant for story-telling. As she tells her tales, she invites kids to create characters, vehicles and buildings at a well-stocked pop-up art center. For instance, she'll be telling a story and she'll stop and say "Hey! We need a submarine for this story. Can you make one?" Kids then create a submarine, either independently or by using templates. They decorate and paint their vehicle and when the story resumes, there is their submarine, cruising across the screen! Fantastic! Even more fun is when Orly asks for a creature or character to be created. She provides its animated eyes and mouth and kids do the rest. When the story resumes, the child's new character can talk and make facial expressions. And when kids want to make their own stories, there's a writing center that allows them to write their own text, choose music and sound effects, and of course, illustrate their work.Testers and reviewers alike didn't want to stop playing with this one. Children loved seeing their creations and characters come to life and play important roles in the stories. Work can be saved, printed, or seen in its entirety at a "junkyard" theater, and the manual contains lots of ideas for away-from-the-computer activities. Criticisms are few� sometimes it's a bit hard to understand Orly as she speaks with an accent� but this is also what makes her so endearing. Her stories are engaging and emphasize "morals" like the importance of friendship. This terrific program is both educational and entertaining, and breaks new ground in children's software. This title was the winner of the International Bologna New Media Prize in 1997.