Alphabet

A book by artist Kveta Pacovska inspired Alphabet--the artwork is blocky and abstract, with a lot of reds, oranges, and dark greens. Though these graphics are an unusual contrast to the slick, bright world of mainstream children's programs, don't let the offbeat look of Alphabet scare you. We saw Nintendo-loving preteen boys and nonartistic adults fall under the siren spell of this program.

Alphabet is designed for both PC and Macintosh users, and folks with microphones will enjoy the interactive audio element that allows them to blow letters across the screen or frighten poor i even more by shouting. Operating in Alphabet is simple: clicking on the upper left of the screen makes letters of the alphabet appear in random order, as children's voices recite them. Keyboard strokes will call up whatever letter is hit, while dragging the mouse over the letters renders hypnotic, dance-mix-type audio ("zed, zed, zed"). A click on the upper right corner explores the possibilities hidden within each letter--this is where you find your singing As and crashing Cs. Alphabet is a rich sensory experience--don't expect detailed instructions, games with goals, or even lessons in this land of letters. This alphabet's main strength is that it doesn't spell things out--explorers must discover the magic on their own.

Tivola isn't engaging in public relations puffery when it says the appropriate age range for Alphabet is 3 to 102. This CD-ROM is a work of art that will tickle young and old alike. --Anne Erickson

Amazon.com Product Description
Alphabet is a whimsical journey through the sights and sounds of the ABCs. You control the screen by mouse, keyboard, or microphone as letters and images perform a dance of transformation, accompanied by music, the sounds of nature, and the voices of children around the world. Featured is the work of Czech artist Kveta Pacovska.

Time Out magazine has this to say about Alphabet: "The game is a sound-and-color playground where children ages 3 and up can fall in love with the building blocks of literacy."

This is very, very, very unlike most children's software on the market so I think it will be a love/hate thing for most people and as is reflected in other reviews in this forum. If you think the cutesy animated characters which drill the ABC's and 123's with lots of structured games and jingles are the greatest thing since sliced bread, then Alphabet is probably not for you. However, if you are looking for a truly unique, artistic, and fun way to introduce your children to the computer and the alphabet then give this a try.

Both my 3 and 6 year old boys love this. And I mean LOVE. Oh the giggles that erupt in my house when you play this. You have two choices you can either choose a letter to play with from the menu or let the computer randomly choose.

The letters do not merely dance, but can be manipulated by your child moving the mouse. Each letter does something different. For example one turns into a pac man like creature and the child moves the mouse capturing the rest of the letters. With A, the letter is stylized to resemble an opera singer and out of her mouth come many A's. Your child moves the letters around to make different sounds, harmonies, and melodies. The letter "i" acts like a flyswatter chasing it's dot around the screen. Each letter does something fun which your child manipulates with the mouse.

Now what about educational value? Children learn mouse skills, action and reaction, and familiarity with the alphabet. And while they do this they are surrounded by fantastic art, animation, and sound which they manipulate. Being able to play with the alphabet leads to interest in reading. This is a highly creative program, which obviously is not for everyone.