Oscar the Balloonist Drops into the Countryside

More storybook than adventure game, Oscar features a style of detailed animation and deliberate pacing that comes as a welcome relief from the bright primary colors and frantic action that are standard fare for many children's CD-ROMs. The program hails from Tivola, a U.K.-based electronic publishing company, and it's got a unique flavor. The European creators worked hard to develop a world that feels complete, a place where bees buzz and seasons change. There are 12 games on this CD-ROM; five are simple to find and the other seven are more of a challenge to uncover. Here's your only hint: nonlinear thinking. We wouldn't want to spoil the discovery for you.

In addition to the games, there are countless natural phenomena to click upon. The potential for learning here is as rich as the illustrations. The CD's European-ness adds a charming element, as, for example, the roe deer explains why her "sit-upon" is covered in white hair. But since the program is available in English, French, and German, there is considerable "lip flap" as well. Oscar might be a hard sell if your child is a Nintendo 64-loving, immediate-gratification junkie. But if a gentler pace prevails in your household, your child will enjoy this bucolic adventure. (Ages 4-7) --Anne Erickson

Amazon.com Product Description
Oscar finds out the answers to questions like, "Are owls really all that clever?" and "Do rabbits paint Easter eggs?" with the help of his new friends Henry Hare, Harriet Hedgehog, Belinda Butterfly, Leonard Lizzard, Bill and Brenda Barn Owl, Dorothy Doe, and Emmanuel Mole. Together they travel through each of the four seasons, making some fascinating discoveries and playing the games Carmela's hidden around this scenic environment.