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The two tapes contain programs on four themes: Transport, In My House, Clothes and Building a House. "Each of the first three topics are tackled in four exciting parts that rule out boredom and encourage learning by play: Learn Word - select a word and watch the object being drawn; Word Game - now put the right object to the name required; Big and Little - cars, chairs, hats appear big or little and after a fun hello to the concept the child starts playing the Big/Little game; Lots of - the screen fills with lots of one object.

The final topic, Building a House, is a wonderful adventure where the child builds a home using words and pictures - learning the words roof, walls, window, door without even noticing."

According to the teachers' notes, "All the computer's colour, sound and animation facilities have been skilfully harnessed to bring the pages alive to captivate and intrigue the young user". If you believe that, you'll believe anything. There was little use of imaginative graphics - most of the illustrations are simple line drawings on a coloured background - or sound, and the programs teach lists of words by the "look and say" method, which is hardly an imaginative use of an expensive piece of equipment. Sorry, not one I'll be encouraging my parents to buy!

Dave Reeder