Reader Rabbit's Ready for Letters

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.

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

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. "Industry News". Computer Gaming World. No. 79. Ziff Davis. August 1992. p. 94.
  2. Aycock, Heidi E. H. (November 1992). "Listen to your Elders". PC Games. IDG. pp. 34, 36.
  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. 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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