Reader Rabbit's Ready for Letters
DOS cover art
Developer(s)The Learning Company
Publisher(s)The Learning Company
Designer(s)Lauren Elliott
SeriesReader Rabbit
Platform(s)DOS, Macintosh
Release
  • August 1992 (DOS)[1]
  • 1993 (Macintosh)
  • 1994 (Windows 3.x)
Genre(s)Edutainment
Mode(s)Single-player

Reader Rabbit's Ready for Letters is a 1992 video game and the fifth game of the Reader Rabbit franchise. Although a spin-off title, it is designed for ages 3 to 6 to teach prereaders about becoming literate and phonics.

Educational goals

The game was designed with a re-usability value, which help children develop new language skills and sharpen old ones.[2] The game allows for free exploration and offers activities that enable children to begin learning to read.[3] The modules included teach shape recognition, matching and basic word skills.[1] The digitized voices encourage direction, exercises listening comprehension and helps tie language to words. The concept of cause-and-effect is implemented.[2] The activities expose prereaders to letters, simple words, word relationships, creativity, colors, shapes and matching.[4] Music and animations add to retain interest.[5]

Gameplay

The game takes place in the house and garden of Grandma and Grandpa Rabbit. There are two modes during gameplay; the free-form mode, which allows players to do the activities are in their own way and the goal-based mode, which instructs the player what to do. The game consists of six activities:[6]

  • The Music Pond
  • Grandma's Kitchen
  • The Mix-and-Match Bedroom
  • The ABC Bathroom
  • The Picture Parlor
  • Grandpa's Workshop

Reception

The Managing Editor of PCM Magazine Sue Fomby highlighted the game for its gameplay that helped children to start reading.[3] MacUser gave the game 2 and a half stars, being suited for the youngest and lesser experienced prereaders.[7] The game was reviewed in the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book where it was praised for its "snappy and colorful" graphics.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Industry News". Computer Gaming World. No. 79. Ziff Davis. August 1992. p. 94.
  2. 1 2 Aycock, Heidi E. H. (November 1992). "Listen to your Elders". PC Games. IDG. pp. 34, 36.
  3. 1 2 3 The Learning Company Product Catalog 1994
  4. ↑ Toroussian, Jasmin (December 1993). "Help Kids Key into Computers". Computer Gaming World. No. 113. Ziff Davis. p. 178.
  5. ↑ "Educational Games move Forward". Electronic Games. Vol. 1, no. 1. Decker Publications. October 1992. p. 65.
  6. ↑ Eiser, Leslie (November 1992). "Reader for Letters - Gamebytes". Game Players PC Entertainment. Vol. 5, no. 6. GP Publications. p. 6.
  7. 1 2 Myslewski, Rik; Shatz-Akin, Jim (December 1994). "The Ultimate Guide to Children's Software" (PDF). MacUser. Vol. 12, no. 9. Ziff Davis. p. 98.
  8. ↑ Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie (1993). "Computer Software/CD-ROM - Drill and Review Software: 'Reader Rabbit's Ready for Letters'". The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book. Vol. 1 (1st ed.). New York: Harper Perennial. pp. 274–275. ISBN 0-06-273196-3.
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