Just in time for the beginning of school, Disney Interactive has released four "greatest hits" sets of CD-ROMs at very attractive prices. For anyone who diligently has collected Disney software, there will be no surprises. But if you have been putting off your purchase, waiting for a better deal than $20 a disc, your day is now at hand.

"Disney Learning Toddler" (three CD-ROMs, $19.99, ages 1 1/2-3 years) supposedly is aimed at the diaper set on the theory, I guess, that it's better for young children to learn to use a computer than learn to speak, use a fork or interact with others. In my opinion, no one younger than 4 should be using a computer, because children have many more important things to learn than tracking and clicking a mouse.

However, that doesn't mean that the "toddler" software is bad. In fact, it's loads of fun. The set includes "Mickey Mouse Toddler" and "Winnie the Pooh Toddler," both of which are fairly predictable entertainment, with favorite Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Pluto and Tigger.

The set also includes the charming "Rolie Polie Olie: The Search for Spot," a retro romp through the puppet world of Olie, who asks your help in finding his dog. Along the way, you get to invent things out of objects you find, and watch the furniture in the house come to life. I can't imagine a 2-year-old could find his or her way through this game, but older kids will like it just fine.

"Disney Learning Preschool" (three CD-ROMs, $19.99, ages 2-5) is a bit more age-appropriate than the "toddler" set. It contains "Disney Preschool," "Winnie-the-Pooh Preschool" and "Stanley Shark Tales." The Pooh game introduces a little French and Spanish vocabulary - an easy early start for second languages.

"Stanley Shark Tales" stars the ever-curious Stanley, who is always on the hunt for information about animals. Stanley is on his way to the beach, but first he needs to find his stuff (hat, sunglasses, sunblock and water bottle) and collect some animal fact cards for his scrapbook, the Great Big Book of Everything. By itself, this game would justify the modest cost of "Disney Learning Preschool": It's colorful, challenging and informative, with lots of printable activities and coloring pages. Stanley himself is a terrific companion for kids just starting down the road of learning.

"Disney Learning Kindergarten" (three CD-ROMs, $19.99, ages 4-6) takes a step up the academic ladder. In addition to "Disney Kindergarten" and "Winnie-the-Pooh Kindergarten," the package includes "Phonics Quest," which gets kids started on essential reading skills.

"Disney Kindergarten" features Mickey Mouse as a late-night cub reporter, whose job is to gather all the hot news stories unfolding at a hopping nightspot. Whether a gin joint is an appropriate venue for kindergartners is a question I leave up to parents, but I can tell you Daisy and Donald Duck really tear up the dance floor in the number-sequence activity.

As is often irritatingly the case with Disney software, kids can't tell how far they have progressed in any given activity. Does the Irish police officer have to catch the thieving weasel in the alley five times, 10 times, 30 times, before Mickey can get his front-page photo of the perp? Who knows? You just have to keep playing and playing until sometime, someday, you get to the next level.

Nevertheless, all three CDs offer fun activities - including memory, color, math and reading challenges - that will give kids a lot to do.

"Disney Learning 1st and 2nd Grade" (three CD-ROMs, $19.99, ages 6- 8) brings in a broader range of Disney characters for kids' benefit. The three titles here are "Disney's Learning Adventure: Search for the Secret Keys," "Pixar Buzz Lightyear 2nd Grade" and "Jungle Book Learning."

"Search for the Secret Keys," reviewed in this space last year, is the least exciting of the three but still affords a bit of haunted- house fun. More challenging and enjoyable is the "Toy Story" venue, starring Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep and many of the other Pixar characters. The challenge level is high as you help Jessie the cowgirl build a marble maze with number sentences, and multiply rocket quantities and make (rather boring) stories with Buzz. Kids should know basic math before trying these games, or frustration will result.

Few wild innovations present themselves in these collections, but they are a solid value and will provide many hours of entertainment and skill reinforcement in important areas of learning. They can help start your child's school year out on a cheerful note.

Copyright 2003
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