Description:
A little boy in a magical hot-air balloon drops into a charming pastoral world and helps a muddle-headed zoologist study the local fauna. As crickets chirp and grasses rustle in the breeze, Oscar learns firsthand about the inhabitants of the meadow: Harriet Hedgehog, Bill and Brenda Barn Owl, and Emmanuel Mole, to name a few. Diligent exploration of this countryside will endow your child with a wealth of information on everything from what owl pellets look like to how butterflies survive the winter. 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
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