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Mia: the Search for Grandma�s Remedy By Pam Gleichman Tribune Media Services Mimi, Mia Mouse�s grandmother, is sick. She needs medicine in a hurry. Mia�s new friend �you � have arrived to help guide Mia in her search for the ingredients she needs for Mimi�s medicine. As your journey begins, Romaine Rat steals all the "sparklies" and Mia needs to buy the ingredients for Grandma�s medicine. Your job is to help Mia earn the money to buy them. As you travel through the house with Mia, you�ll meet more than a dozen characters. They will guide you through nine full-featured literacy skill activities (each with four levels). As you complete the puzzles, you will earn the diamond-like "sparklies" needed to buy the medicine. The program teaches spelling, vocabulary, early reading, phonics word recognition, sentence comprehension, and rhymes. The program is designed to support school curriculum from kindergarten to second grade. Testers enjoyed this program, but needed a lot of guidance. Mia Mouse, Grandma Mimi, Romaine Rat, Freddie Frog, Betty Bird, Scary and Spike Spider and the scenery look as if they came right out of an animated feature film, complete with expressive faces, constantly changing body movements and realistic room scenes. You have a lot of control over the characters. Mia is able to move anywhere on the screen, with a click of the computer mouse. You must solve many puzzles to get from one point to another. If you�re goal oriented, this program will succeed in keeping you engaged. Although players can save games, saving a game is a proactive endeavor. If you exit the game without saving, all your efforts will be lost. Publisher : Kutoka Interactive, 981 Cherrier Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2L 1J2, (514) 525-2222, http://www.kutoka.com . E-mail: [email protected] . Category : Literacy skills. Age : 5 to 9. Installation : Easy. Use : If you�re familiar with Freddie Fish, Spy Fox and Putt Putt, you will not have any difficulties maneuvering around the program and problem solving. Some kids may need some help and guidance to keep them engaged. Graphics : The film quality 3-D graphics are very appealing. Written Materials : Minimal instructions are included on the CD jacket. You�re encouraged to explore and learn on your own. System Requirements : Windows 95 or 98, Pentium 100 MHz, 32 MB RAM, 480 X 640 (256 color) display, 16-bit Sound Blaster or compatible, Quad Speed CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 7.6 Power PC 100 MHz, 32 MB RAM, 480 X 640 (256 color) display, Standard Macintosh sound system, Quad Speed CD-ROM. Tested Version : Windows/Macintosh CD-ROM. Cost : $34.95. Rating : Three stars. Mia : Search for Grandma�s Remedy is a good program that provides fun, challenge and an opportunity to enhance your literacy skills. DEAR PAM : I am a new Internet user. Do you know of any sites that offer computer courses on the Internet? DEAR READER : The Online Netskills Interactive Course (TONIC) ( http://www.netskills.ac.uk/TonicNG/cgi/sesame?tng ) is an on-line Internet instruction course. It�s an easy-to-understand, structured course, offering step-by-step, practical guidance on major Internet topics. It�s especially effective for Internet newcomers. 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