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I Spy Spooky Mansion By Pam Gleichman Tribune Media Services I Spy Spooky Mansion is based on the award-winning Jean Marzollo/Walter Wick series of books, puzzles and games. The program takes you on a journey through a mysterious, old mansion filled with innovative brain-building games. You will explore 10 creepy rooms, filled with I Spy picture riddles and multi-leveled games, while building skills in problem solving, reading, vocabulary development and creativity. With every riddle you solve, you earn a piece of the Secret Message Puzzle; it reveals clues to a thrilling finale and a satisfying reward. The Secret Message and Congratulations certificate can be printed out. Puzzles can be saved and completed at a later time. In addition, there is a Make Your Own I Spy area where you choose objects and write your own riddles. If you have a microphone, riddles can be recorded and played back. Also hidden in the rooms is a three-level moving concentration game and a timed matching game. There is also an Internet site, I Spy Online ( http://www.scholastic.com/ispy/ ) that offers contests, on-line games and many I Spy Activities. I Spy Spooky Mansion is a lot of fun. Initially, the puzzles seem very easy. As the puzzles progress, they become more challenging and you�ll become more motivated to complete them. Our testers loved seeing their names interwoven in the puzzles (when they start, children sign in). Adults will also find some of the puzzles difficult and challenging. I Spy Spooky Mansion works very well for the goal-oriented learners. Creative children will love creating their own puzzles and riddles. This portion of the program provides plenty of replay value and lets children express themselves. Publisher : Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10012-3999, http://www.scholastic.com . Category : Puzzles. Age : 6 to 10. Installation : Easy. Use : Very easy. Graphics : Very good. Written Materials : A parent�s guide, complete with game instructions is included on the CD jacket. System Requirements : 486DX 66 MHz or faster processor, Windows 95 or 98, 16 MB RAM, Minimum 10 MB hard disk space available, 640 x 480 display with 256 colors, 4X CD-ROM drive, Windows compatible sound card, printer and microphone � optional. Macintosh � Power PC, 75 MHz or faster processor, System 7.5 or later, 16 MB, Minimum 10 MB hard disk space available, 640 x 480 display with 256 colors, 4X CD-ROM drive, printer or microphone optional. Tested Version : Windows/Macintosh CD-ROM. Cost : $29.95. Rating : Four stars. I Spy Spooky Mansion is an engaging program for children (and parents) that will also develop a wide range of educational skills. DEAR PAM : I am a fifth-grade teacher in a small private school. We are having a school fund-raiser that I would like to incorporate into a math lesson for my students. Do you know of any spreadsheet programs that children of this age would be able to use and understand? DEAR READER : The Cruncher 2 (Knowledge Adventure 800-542-4240 http://www.knowledgeadventure.com ) originally released six years ago, is a fully functioned spreadsheet program that is easy to use. There are good tutorials that will help in the learning process and if you purchase the teacher�s edition; you will have many good lesson plans. WEB SITE OF THE WEEK THE EDUCATIONAL PAPERBACK ASSOCIATION http://www.edupaperback.org/top100.html This site allows children, parents and teachers to link to biographies of 100 of the best selling children�s authors. RATING KEY : ***** � Outstanding; **** � Very Good; *** � Good; ** � Fair; * � Not Worth Purchasing. Pam Gleichman welcomes questions/comments from readers. Write to Pam at Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, Ill. 60611. Send e-mail to [email protected] . © 1999 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Techno file index Mail Tribune Copyright © The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA