Video's & CD-Rom's

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CD-ROM: Virtual Reality: Bird   Informational

Age Range: Eight to Ten, Ten to Twelve, Whole Family

Subjects: Birds, Animals

Dozens of parrots burst from a single egg in the introduction to this virtual museum. The many enjoyable exhibits and activities are filled with information, art, and activities about most of our world's families of birds. Throughout the halls of the museum are artifacts, skeletons, paintings, and pictures for users to explore. In the East Room there are exhibits about bird anatomy, while the West Room features bird behavior, hunting methods, and bird calls. The Aviary shows representatives of different bird families and where they live. The hypertext format provides many layers of information.

One especially excellent tool provides users with an introductory tour that shows most of the features of the museum as well as navigation instructions. Another highlights themes such as conservation, flight, and amazing facts. Users even have the option of creating their own customized tours.

A "Navigator" icon remains on the top of the screen throughout the visit. Clicking on the icon pulls up a map of the entire museum. Moving the cursor over the map brings up small graphic clips of every exhibit. The navigator can be rotated to access help, options, backtrack, video, or text index. Also included is a visual catalog of all exhibits.

After exploring, users can visit the Museum Store where stationery, sounds, and wallpaper can be downloaded. This CD-ROM conveniently offers bird watching around the world from your home computer. SK

1995 $29.95 ISBN: 0-7894-0292-0   Buy CD-ROM-amazon.com!

Computer: MS-Windows 3.1+
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, Inc.
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CD-ROM: Virtual Reality: Cat   Informational

Age Range: Eight to Ten, Ten to Twelve

Subjects: Cats, Tigers, Lions, Animals

This CD-ROM is filled with information, art, and activities about most of the world's species of cats. There are many exhibits to enjoy in this virtual museum. Throughout the halls are artifacts, skeletons, paintings and pictures to be explored. In the East Room users can view a cat's anatomy. In the West Room they learn about cat behavior and hunting methods, and hear greeting sounds. In the Family Room users see different species of cats and learn where they are found in the world. Many layers of information can be found in the hypertext format, including a very good glossary.

There are two excellent features to help users explore the museum. The first is an introductory tour that shows most of the features of the museum and how to navigate through it. The second is another tour which highlights such themes as conservation, mythology, and amazing cats. Users may also create their own tours, including a visit to the Museum Store. Outstanding activities will keep users busy for many days. Overall this is an excellent educational and entertaining product. SK

1995 $29.95 ISBN: 0-7894-0291-2 Buy CD-ROM-amazon.com!

Computer: MS-Windows 3.1+
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, Inc.
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Kit: Build Your Own Bugs Book & Kit   Informational

Age Range: Early Reader, Eight to Ten, Ten to Twelve

Subjects: Insects, Stamp Kit, Animals

Lots of people dislike creeping, crawling, and buzzing creatures that we call bugs. They spray, swat, and stomp on them. But these creatures are essential to life on earth. There are more bugs on the planet than any other animal! Read about bugs and make prints of them with this kit which contains a book, twenty-nine rubber stamps, twenty-nine labels, and a pad of black washable ink. Follow the diagrams in the book to make eight different bug species, or create your own. A fun gift. SK

1995 $14.95 ISBN: 0-8362-4242-4   Buy Kit-amazon.com!

Author: Schatz, Dennis
Illustrator: Greisen, Bob
Publisher: Andrews and McMeel
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Kit: Sea Creatures: A Book & Sticker Set   Informational

Age Range: Eight to Ten, Ten to Twelve

Subjects: Ocean, Fish, Stickers, Animals

Young marine enthusiasts will "go bananas" over this! What a great gift for the aspiring marine biologist! Read about many exotic creatures that live in the South Pacific in the informative book. Each animal featured in the book has its own reuseable vinyl sticker-thirty-seven in all! Unfold the three-foot panorama to reveal two different beautiful underwater environments (front and back). SK

1996 $9.95 ISBN: 0-89577-787-8   Buy Kit-amazon.com!

Author: Posner, Andrea
Illustrator: Channell, Jim
Publisher: Joshua Morris
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Learning Aid: Animal Habitats Game   Informational

Age Range: Early Reader, Eight to Ten

Subjects: Animals, Rainforests, Marshes, Grasslands, Woodlands, Games

A marvelous idea! This box contains four double-sided playing boards, ninety playing cards, four game pieces, plus an information guide. Youngsters will enjoy playing the Lotto version in which they search the habitat on their game board for the animals on the cards they select. Turn the board over to play the category game. Players draw cards to see where to move on the board , based on what category the animals belong to. A great way to reinforce learning about animal groups. The backsides of the game cards may also be matched for a never-ending puzzle. Great game - great gift! SK

1994 $6.95 ISBN: 0-88743-281-6   Buy Learning Aid-amazon.com!

Publisher: School Zone Publishing Company
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Learning Aid: Who Lives Here? A Book of Animal Homes   Picture Book

Age Range: Preschool, Early Reader

Subjects: Animals, Animal Homes

A marvelous, interactive way for young children to learn about animals and where they live. The book contains over fifty colorful diecut animal pieces and a built-in storage container. Each spongy "piece" clings like magic to the glossy board pages and can be used again and again. Requires no glue or scissors - just lots of imagination. SK

1998 $11.95 ISBN: 0-590-12820-5   Buy Learning Aid-amazon.com!

Series Title: Touch & Cling
Publisher: Cartwheel Books
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Stamp Kit: Build Your Own Dinosaurs   Informational

Age Range: Early Reader, Eight to Ten

Subjects: Dinosaurs, Stamp Kit

This could be a great gift for children fascinated by dinosaurs! There are 24 rubber stamps with sections of dinosaur skeletons. The accompanying book gives directions for re-creating seven specific dinosaurs, plus interesting facts about each. Creative children will come up with many more possible configurations. CH

1994 $14.95 ISBN: 0-8362-4512-1   Buy Stamp Kit-amazon.com!

Author: Schatz, Dennis
Illustrator: Greisen, Bob
Publisher: Andrews and McMeel
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Video Tape: Amazing Animals Series   Informational

Age Range: Preschool, Early Reader, Eight to Ten, Ten to Twelve

Subjects: Animals, Records, Pets, Seasons

Join Henry the lizard, your animated tour guide, as he discovers how geese know when to migrate, as well as other interesting phenomena. Animated clips and wildlife footage show how many different animal species cope with the changing seasons each year. From breeding in the spring to hibernating in the winter, animal traits are viewed in "Amazing Animals: An Animal Year" (ISBN: 0-7894-2164-X).

Join Henry once again in his search for the coolest and biggest pet he can find. Find out why it is better to have a cute cat or dog for a pet than it is to try to keep one of their wild cousins. "Amazing Animals: Animal Pets" (ISBN: 0-7894-2158-5) is a great way to convey the important message that wild and exotic animals are not pets.

And you'll be amazed at all the records Henry recounts, including the fastest runner, biggest and slowest animals in "Amazing Animals: Animal Records" (ISBN: 0-7894-2161-5 ). Children will enjoy watching these videos over and over. SK

1997 $9.95 ISBN: See Text Above   To Buy Video Tapes Online at amazon.com, click ISBN Above!

Series Title: Amazing Animals   Publisher: DK Vision

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