TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Software Product Category

Children's Music Journey Volume 2 by ADVENTUS INC.

Volume 2 of Children’s Music Journey software series is packed with more of everything such as new activities, songs, games and famous composer ‘teachers’. New, fun and exciting games such as Guitar Girl, Metronome Soup, Dueling Musicians, Build a Song and others keep kids on the edge of their seat throughout the program. Parents increase their child's musical knowledge and playing skills within this entertaining and comprehensive second year program. Piano skill levels 2A, 2B, 2C. Assessment Included. Concepts learned: Dotted half notes, Grand staff, treble & bass clef, Time signatures, bar lines, tempo, and more. 7/18/2008 (Price: $69.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JumpStart® 3D Virtual World My First Adventure by KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE, INC

Kids are invited to JumpStart Town! Inside awaits a colorful, musical place where there are exciting games, swimming, sliding and more, all contained in a safe 3D virtual world. While kids explore the land, JumpStart friends will provide encouragement and directions. Games incorporate the use of letter, number, shape and color skills so kids are learning while they play. 7/1/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JumpStart® 3D Virtual World The Legend of Grizzly McGuffin by KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE, INC

Grizzly McGuffin is a Camp JumpStart legend. Kids are invited to discover why as they explore an endless 3D virtual world. With over 30 games, activities and missions, new friends to meet and new lands to discover, JumpStart will inspire kids’ minds through unique adventure-based learning. 7/1/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JumpStart® 3D Virtual World Trouble in Town by KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE, INC

Someone or something is causing trouble in JumpStart Town. Frankie and the rest of the JumpStart gang are waiting for kids to come and figure out who or what it is and help fix the crazy mess. Kids play over 40 exciting games and endlessly explore an ever changing self contained virtual world. 7/1/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JumpStart® 3D Virtual World Quest for the Color Meister by KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE, INC

Calling all heroes! The color is disappearing from Camp JumpStart and no one can figure out why. Frankie and the other JumpStart friends are asking kids to explore the 3D virtual world to find and stop the mysterious villain. While on the hunt, kids will get to play over 45 activities, games and missions and use brain power to solve challenges. 7/1/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Leapster I SPY Treasure Hunt by SCHOLASTIC

Players must find hidden pirate treasure in the town of Smuggler's Cove. First, they must assemble the treasure map by solving I SPY riddles and games as they explore the town. The treasure hunts are comprised of three separate treasure maps that lead players on three scavenger hunts that use numerous I SPY riddles and mini-games to steer players in the right direction. Launch date: July 1, 2008. 6/16/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Leapster Outwit! by SCHOLASTIC

The software features 15 fast-paced games that help improve thinking, memory, reasoning and identification skills. The product challenges kids in a tournament atmosphere where they are encouraged to play the games over time to improve speed and accuracy. Launch date: May 15, 2008. 6/16/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Farm Vet by LEGACY INTERACTIVE

Players are in charge of dozens of barnyard critters. Diagnose and treat their ailments using more than 30 realistic vet tools. Ride around the farm while treating 60 medical problems. Play five different minigames on your way to becoming the head vet. Treat, feed and pamper horses, calves, bunnies, ducks, sheep, chickens and more. PC platform. Launch date: March 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KidsWatch™ - Internet Safety & Parental Control Software by COMPUTER BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INC.

The software helps parents protect their children while they are not around. The software allows parents to limit their child’s Internet surfing, chatting and game play, and allow them to monitor chat, websites visited, program use and computer use. Parents can even set up the software to send them email notifications when suspect words or phrases are encountered in chat conversations. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. 3/17/2008 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Building Thinking Skills Software by THE CRITICAL THINKING CO.

"Building Thinking Skills" software is a brain-boosting, arcade-style, underground rescue adventure that develops superior thinking and communication skills. Based on the award-winning books by the same name, the software develops vocabulary, reading, mathematical reasoning and analytical skills. This exceptional skill set provides a solid foundation for academic excellence and success in life. Features include the following: 10 levels; 32 different scenes; 92 activity types; more than 800 questions; adventure and practice modes; spoken and graphic instructions; adjustable difficulty levels; printable certificates; sample activities; a vocabulary list; self-grading; printable scores; the ability to save unfinished games; and word search puzzles. — “I love that my kids enjoy using the software, that it gives them immediate feedback, and that they can use it without my help,” Sue Christensen, who, along with her 6- and 10-year-old sons, participated in TDmonthly's Homeschool Roundtable review of this product. 2/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Guitar Wizard by ALLEGRO CORPORATION

The product includes both the SoundTech Ediface Digital Guitar Interface and the patented Guitar Wizard software, allowing users to play and learn on their PC or Mac with their existing acoustic or electric guitars. The SoundTech Ediface technology converts the guitar sounds to digital for live interactive video game play. Virtually any guitar can be used with the Soundtech Ediface and virtually any song can be used with the Pro software. The game’s unique, patented, five-step method allows anyone to learn how to play a real guitar and read music in minutes. 2/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pet Vet 3D: Animal Hospital Down Under by VIVA MEDIA

In this program, animal lovers work at a veterinary office to take care of dolphins, koalas, kangaroos and other animals, also training some of the characters and taking time for fun activities such as shopping and swimming. 2/18/2008

Miss Management by BRIGHTER MINDS MEDIA

From the creators of Diner Dash, this comedic game about the workplace gives each player Denise’s job of trying to motivate and keep control of some crazy coworkers. It features more than 40 animated sitcom scenes, 11 employees and four types of work tasks. It is rated “T” for crude humor, mild suggestive themes and use of tobacco. Availability is exclusive to Target. Launch date: March 1, 2008. 2/18/2008 (Price: $19.95)

Preschool Playtime CD Volume 2 by SOCIAL SKILL BUILDER INC.

The CD teaches young children basic peer interactions and play skills such as taking turns, sharing, requesting, cooperating and shifting activities through real life social situations like a day at the park, in pre-school or going to a play date. “Unlike passive videos, this software allows the user to visually see the social interactions re-enacted by children and then choose what should be said or done next,” Laurie Jacobs of Social Skill Builder Inc. told TDmonthly. “In this fun, familiar, but safe environment, the user can become increasingly aware of social expectations and more successfully interact with their peers.” This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 12/18/2007 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Computer Game Maker-Lite by WINDMILL WORKS

This program allows students or teachers to create games by inputting questions and answers, importing graphics — even importing voice — and then letting the software create the ever-popular memory square game with content of the user's own choice: ESL language learning, math, science, social studies and more. It’s an “amazingly simple interface that allows text, picture and sound customization of the classic memory game in minutes,” Billie Pagliolo, president of Windmill Works, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 1, 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Lights, Camera, Answer! Black American History by WINDMILL WORKS

This program helps students learn about well-known African American authors and founders of organizations, significant court decisions and more. It features “a game format that reinforces classroom presentation of significant facts in Black American History,” Billie Pagliolo, president of Windmill Works, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 9, 2002. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Multiplication Shape-Up by WINDMILL WORKS

With 15 lessons, this software offers study of basic multiplication facts through such games as Match-mate, Paired-Squares, Pop Quiz and Spinmesiter. “It’s a drill, but doesn't seem like it,” Billie Pagliolo, president of Windmill Works, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 12, 2001. 11/9/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Presidents Volumes 1-5 by WINDMILL WORKS

This software covers Presidents George Washington through George W. Bush through 15 categories, including First Ladies, Out in Space and Little Known Facts, and games that help educate. “Different than ‘fill in the blank’ trivia games, this program provides the ability to interact with important presidential facts along with fun information in four separate games, according to preference,” President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 8, 2004. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Irish Facts and Fun by WINDMILL WORKS

Featuring 15 categories, this program gives students a chance to play four different games and learn about history, politics and even Irish musical artists. “Windmill Works' software provides teacher-designed learning through common, well-loved computer games that focus on uncommon content and topics with a unique twist,” Billie Pagliolo, president of Windmill Works, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 9, 2005. 11/9/2007 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Computer Game Maker by WINDMILL WORKS

Touching on subjects of language arts, math, science, art and more, this program allows students or teachers to create games by inputting eight questions and answers, importing graphics, and then letting the software do the rest. President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly is provides “the ability to customize classic computer games to content relevant to every classroom topic and specific to a student or students' IEP or individual needs.” 11/9/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Black Cats and Witches' Hats by WINDMILL WORKS

This Halloween-themed software is designed to enhance vocabulary and word recognition skills, especially benefiting deaf students or those learning English as a second language. It includes four games and a colorful photo gallery. There’s a “total focus on motivating vocabulary centered around Halloween, but with language structures that transfer to total language development needs,” Billie Pagliolo, president of Windmill Works, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 1998; updated: February 17, 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Vocabulary Game Show by WINDMILL WORKS

Older deaf and hard-of-hearing students can especially benefit from this program designed to reinforce word recognition and build vocabulary. It “provides reinforcement of written vocabulary specific to the interests and needs of deaf children,” President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 4, 2003. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Vegetable Friends and Nutra Fruit Heroes present … Reading Vocabulary Volumes 1-3 by WINDMILL WORKS

Created especially for deaf or hearing-impaired students, this volume of matching games helps develop vocabulary, word recognition, word structure and sentence structure. The product “contains language structures specific to the needs of non-auditory students or English as a Second Language students,” President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly. Launch date: original release: August 19, 1999; updated March 6, 2000. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Game and Guitar Controller by ACTIVISION

This edition of the Guitar Hero game plugs the player into the middle of a rock concert and challenges him or her to keep up with fast-paced tracks by famous artists. The soundtrack includes renowned artists such as Guns N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Beastie Boys, Muse, Pearl Jam, Kiss and an exclusive track from Slash. Launch date: October 28, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $99.99)

U.B. Funkeys™ Starter Kit by RADICA GAMES

This interactive game combines vinyl collectible toys with computer games to create a virtual world that kids control. There are over 40 different characters, each with his or her own look, personality, zones and games. Players can earn points and win prizes to customize and decorate their “crib” within the game. The set comes with a hub (to connect the character to the computer, two U.B. Funkeys character figures and PC software. The characters are also available individually for $4.99. 10/11/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]