advertisement

red line
SuperKids Software Review - The Parent's and Teacher's Guide to Childrens' Software
free newsletter! spacer tell a friend! spacer contests
spacer
software
  reviews
  bestseller list
  price survey
  what's new
  product support
  search
spacer
educational tools
  ask a scientist
  math worksheets
  vocabulary builders
  hangman
  iPhone/iPad apps
  logic games
  brain food
spacer
educational insights

feature articles
spacer
marketplace
  iPhone/iPad apps
  reading corner
  movie corner
spacer
SuperKids home
  about SuperKids
  advertise!
  humor
  links
  help
spacer
  * * *

Promotions




  * * *

spacer all reviews > > > reading software

Leapster Game: Scholastic Clifford The Big Red Dog Reading

LeapFrog

Ages 4 to 6

Rating Scale
5 = great,    1 = poor
Educational Value
4.0
Kid Appeal
4.0
Ease of Use
4.5

screenshot of Leapster Game: Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading arrow indentSystem Requirements

arrow indentPrice Survey

arrow indentProduct Support

Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading is a Leapster Leap Frog game based on the beloved character from books and television fame. In this story, Emily Elizabeth (Clifford's owner and best friend) shares with Clifford her brand new joke book. Unfortunately, after hearing only one joke, Clifford sneezes and all the pages blow away! It is then up to Clifford and his pals, T-Bone and Cleo, to find the jokes.

To find the jokes, Clifford must help the people of Birdwell Island - including Jetta who has lost her inspiration when painting, Charley and his balloon popping stand, the mailman and his packages, Emily's mom and the movie theatre signs, and Vaz and his camera. Each place awards a prize that will eventually lead to another page in Emily Elizabeth's joke book. Although there are many places the user could visit, it is possible for the user to only help one person throughout the game, and never complete another task.

Educational Value

All of the tasks provide educational challenges that the user must overcome, whether it be matching sounds or finding letters. Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading also teaches writing (which is easily accomplished using the Leapster Touchscreen and Pen) - a challenge for most conventional video games. The program increases in difficulty as the user continues to play, thereby stimulating and evolving as the user progresses. Full of familiar faces, the user is easily engaged and highly motivated to continue - with the jokes as a reward, e.g., "What kind of dog can tell time - a watch dog".

Kid Appeal

Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading is a fun and captivating way to learn basic reading and writing skills, and build some vocabulary. Although there is not a lot of structure in the program, not much was needed. Hints were given when necessary, but for the most part, the user just followed the basic instructions - very clear and very simple - important design characteristics in a game for younger users.

SuperKids' users thought the game was fun and intriguing, and the increasing difficulty kept Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading from becoming dull and monotonous, a problem with many other games.

Ease of Use / Install

Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading is a simple game to install and use, requiring only to be inserted into the Leap Frog device.

Best for... / Bottom-Line

Overall, Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading is a program that has gone beyond the basic phonics program - it takes loveable characters and a variety of challenges that all stress different parts of learning and combines them into a reasonably captivating game. It is not designed for video game players, with lots of action - instead, it is an educational adventure with a big red dog

See SuperKids' comparisons with other reading software titles, and the Buyers Guide for current market prices of the product.

System Requirements
Cartridge is for use with Leapster, Leapster L-Max and Leapster TV learning game systems.
return to top of page



Go to: About SuperKids Educational Software Review
Questions or comments regarding this site? webmaster@superkids.com
Copyright © 1998-2024 Knowledge Share LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy