Our young bus drivers (or pullers as the case may be) were quite pleased with themselves when correctly fit the shapes through the sorter. And yes, the shape sorter does its job. A triangle fits only in the triangular opening, the square only in the square opening. When all shapes are on board, operators can pull up on the “sign,” and the pieces will slide out. Fill 'er up, and have a good trip.
Winnie the Pooh: ABC's
Ages: 2 - 5 yrs.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment, $19.99 (DVD)
Winnie the Pooh ABC's provides an age-appropriate introductory lesson in literacy by conveying basic information about rhyming, highlighting the value of writing down words, explaining the connection between sounds and letters and familiar names, and illustrating how to form basic letters. Product Description
Winnie the Pooh 1, 2, 3's: Discovering Numbers and Counting
Ages: 2 - 5 yrs.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment, $19.99 (DVD)
Winnie the Pooh 123's is an enriching story that starts with general number concepts and moves toward concrete strategies that children can learn and use. Product Description
Alphabet Songs Volume II (Ivan Idea)
Ages: 2 - 8 yrs.
Bumbles Productions, $12.99 (CD)
Alphabet Songs Volume II (Ivan Idea) is the second CD in the Alphabet Songs series. Like the first volume, it dedicates a single song to each letter of the alphabet and covers the letters I through Q. Product Description
Huggy Smart 123's
Ages: 2 & Up
Hooray!, $14.95
This hand-on approach to learning numbers never felt so soft and fuzzy. Huggy Smart 123's are chunky, colorful fabric magnets that are fun to hold and move around on any magnetic surface. Our testers arranged and rearranged them, getting a feel, literally for the shape of numbers 0 through 9. Because of their 1" thickness, the magnets won't slide- or disappear-under the fridge.
Huggy Smart ABC's
Ages: 2 & Up
Hooray!, $45.95
Like the Huggy Smart 123's, these ABC's are chunky, colorful fabric magnets that are fun to hold and move around on any magnetic surface. Set includes letters A-Z. Magnets won't slide- or disappear-under the fridge.
Sorting Train
Ages: 2 & Up
Plan Creations Co., Ltd., $18.00
The first thing a toddler is likely to do with this handsome wood locomotive is separate the six blocks that form it from the wheeled base. Indeed, the base is a toy in itself with wheels so a child can push it along the floor, as well as a cord so the child can pull it behind her. After that playful exploration, the real challenge is to stack the shapes onto the base to reassemble the complete locomotive. Hints about where each block goes are provided by matching shapes that fit together and colors that match.
Letter Factory
Ages: 2 & Up
LeapFrog Enterprises, $14.99 (DVD)
Follow popular LeapFrog characters on their wild adventure through The Letter Factory. Here, these engaging characters tour various rooms where each letter of the alphabet is learning to pronounce its sound. Teaches children ages 2-5 letters, phonics and listening skills while fostering language development.
One to Ten: Pop-Up Surprises!
Ages: 2 & Up
Author: Chuck Murphy
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing/Richard Jackson Books/Atheneum, $13.95
This inspired pop-up toy book, filled with hidden treasures behind each pleasingly-plump, clearly-delineated number, makes learning to count a pure delight. Four cats on (or sometimes under) four chairs was a favorite in our house, but every number yields its own special rewards.
Ready 2 Learn Giant Uppercase & Lowercase Alphabet Stampers Combo
Ages: 3 - 10 yrs.
Center Enterprises, $44.95
Children will have no trouble putting their own stamp on this alphabet. Fitted with child-sized handles, this set of fifty-six 3" foam letter-stampers includes all upper and lower case letters, a question mark and exclamation point. Young graffiti artists, learners of letters and wobbling wordsmiths will happily learn the power of the alphabet.
Here Come the ABCs
Ages: 3 - 5 yrs.
Disney Sound/Walt Disney Records, $12.98 (CD)
Review: Alt-rock duo John Flansburgh and John Linnell, otherwise known as They Might Be Giants, who leaped into children's music with the wacky and wonderful 2002 CD, "No!," proved the crossover was no fluke with this year's DVD release, "Here Come the ABCs." Still just as playful and innovative, served up with the duo's trademark technopop, rock and off-the-wall disharmony, this time the songs are framed around education: solid, if surreal lessons in phonics ("C Is for Conifer," "E Eats Everything"). But listening is only half the fun. These songs are meant to be "seen" as well as heard, in the DVD's inventive, delightful puppetry and animation.
Here Come the ABCs (DVD)
Ages: 3 - 5 yrs.
Disney Sound/Walt Disney Records, $12.98 (VHS), $12.99 (DVD)
Do not be fooled. This is not a traditional alphabet lesson. "They Might Be Giants" John and John don't even have the letter songs in alphabetical order. Starting with a rocking "Alphabet of Nations" ("Algeria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Dominica") with its animated globe, the production continues with the strange but entertaining "E eats everything," followed by the witty live-action "QU" (showing the two Johns with a Q and a U covering their heads). This is creative and irresistible viewing for all ages.
Letter Factory Game
Ages: 3 - 5 yrs.
LeapFrog Enterprises, $24.99
The game offers two levels of play: Counting, Colors and Letters for ages 3-4 and Letter Match for ages 4-5. The first level of play requires players to identify alphabet letter cards by color only. The player than inserts a card of that color into the Letter Machine which acknowledges the card as a correct or incorrect selection. The Letter Machine then plays a song or phrase about the letter and a word that begins with it or the sound of the letter. Special "interruptions" to the game add to the appeal.
ABCs- 11 Ft. Long
Ages: 3 - 5 yrs.
MasterPieces Puzzle Company, $10.99
Kids will love playing with this durable, oversized (11-foot long) puzzle. Each of the 26 pieces is includes a colorful illustration of a different letter of the alphabet.
Pocket Snails Aquaphonic Adventure
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Soaring Star Productions, LLC, $15.95 (DVD)
Join the Pocket Snails on their new and exciting "Aquaphonic Adventure," where they'll make some new underwater friends, ride in a submarine and scuba dive their way to learning the sounds of the letters. Helps teach letter sounds, vowels and letter recognition. Product Description
Now I Know My ABC's
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Innovative Kids, $16.99
Children discover clues hidden in playful rhymes, then hunt for magnetic letters and puzzle pieces. A built-in magnetic board folds under the right-hand page so children can make words and pictures that solve the riddles. The right-hand pages are also write-on, wipe-off surfaces on which the children practice their letters with the special marker provided. The left-hand pages unfold to reveal solutions for matching and spelling. Manufacturer's Description
Reader Rabbit: The Great Alphabet Race
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Riverdeep Inc., $14.99 (DVD)
Join Reader Rabbit, Sam the Lion, and all the Wordville critters as they race to the finish—hopefully ahead of those pesky Illiterats. Along the way, learn the alphabet while cheering on your favorite critter! Who will win the Golden Letter? Find out! Product Description
Reader Rabbit: Wordville Soup
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Riverdeep Inc., $14.99 (DVD)
Join Reader Rabbit and Sam the Lion as they help Chef Pierre use opposites to discover the right ingredients needed for his delicious recipe. Will they be able to recreate it in time for the Festival of Words? Find out! Product Description
Math Circus
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
LeapFrog Enterprises, $14.98 (DVD)
Watch the Quidget Family and the Subtractobats perform high-flying feats of mathematics! In this astounding story, Leap, Lily, Tad and wacky Professor Quigley train numbers to count, add, and subtract in a series of amazing circus acts. Numbers and Quidgets fly from trampolines, trapezes and cannons as they teach early mathematical concepts. Product Description
Talking Words Factory 2: Code Word Caper
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
LeapFrog Enterprises, $14.98
When Mr. Websley is accidentally silenced by the Silent E Machine, Leap, Lily, and Tad must journey through the Complex Word Complex to build the code words needed to return his voice. Guided only by the "Absent Professor Device," the kids learn how to build the complex words needed to solve the code and save the day. Humorous songs add to the fun and help teach the rules for advanced word building. Product Description
Picture Word Puzzles
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
TREND Enterprises, Inc., $3.99
The object of these card puzzles is to link three cards together to create a picture. If linked correctly, each picture becomes a three letter word illustrated by the picture. The other side of the cards offers another version: when linked correctly the three cards form a short sentence describing the picture on the card.
Chicka Chicka 1,2,3
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
Author: Bill Martin Jr. Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Simon & Schuster/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $15.95 (Hardcover)
This companion to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom covers the numbers from 1 to 100 (1 to 20 sequentially, then 20 to 100 by10’s). As in its earlier alphabetical cousin, Ehlert’s palette is brilliantly colored and her graphic layouts crisp and clever. Sharp eyes will discover that the blue dots on the trunk of the tree are changing to purple as the story (and the numbers) progress (unlike the cheery multi-colored apples which do not relate to the number sequence at all). Martin’s rhyming text bounces along energetically with only a few awkward moments.
Rockin' Reading Readiness
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
Kimbo Educational, $14.95 (CD)
Children learn valuable literacy concepts from these creative lyrics and energetic music. Authors Dr. Pam Schiller and RONNO team up together to offer a creative, upbeat musical approach to reading readiness.
Caillou Preschool
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
Brighter Child Interactive, $19.99
Join Caillou and his friends for 60 fun activities that teach letter, shape, and color recognition; alphabet order, beginning reading, critical thinking, hand-eye coordination, and creativity.
Alphabet Jam: Songs & Rhymes to Build Early Reading Skills
Ages: 3 - 8 yrs.
Rivanna Music, $15.98 (CD)
Cathy Bollinger, a singer with a pleasant musical voice, brings her songwriting talents, and experience as a trained musical therapist, to the imaginative and informative song-lessons of Alphabet Jam. The simple songs and melodies are effective; the phonetics lessons are enjoyable. On the title track Bollinger employs a Bebop style to introduce letters and phonic sounds, while the upbeat “Eddie The Elephant” is an effective tool for naming foods (that Eddie eats) that begin with the letter “E.” Elsewhere in the lyrical “Kate's Kingdom” the hard “K” sound is easily distinguished from the softer “Q,” as amply demonstrated in her song “Quack Quack.” The alphabet songs end appropriately with “The Zany Zebra Zack.” Each song is fun and easy to remember, while quietly teaching essential reading concepts. Lyrics and activity suggestions are included.
Phonics Hip-Hop featuring Ah*Choo
Ages: 3 - 8 yrs.
Sing 2 School, Inc., $13.99 (CD)
A former New York City educator, the effervescent Shawn C. Chandler, aka Ah*Choo, enlists rap and catchy hip-hop beats to teach consonants, and the sounds of short and long vowels.
Alphabet Songs
Ages: 3 - 8 yrs.
Breaking the Sounds' Barrier, Reading By Ear, $14.95 (CD)
Folk singer Jim Post has collaborated with lyricist Janet Smith Post to produce this collection of twenty-eight alphabet songs. Each letter of the alphabet has its own dedicated tune: “Never Argue With An Ant,” “Big Brown Bear,” and “Come To The Circus” illustrate the letters “A” “B,” and “C”. Post's singing is both professional and expressive; the general silliness of the songs will appeal to younger children. Two bonus songs are dedicated to the sounds “Ch” and “Th”.
Shapes & Colors
Ages: 3 - 12 yrs.
Ravensburger/USA, $9.99
See what you can match! Children learn to recognize & differentiate between colors & shapes as they play. There are 3 different versions to suit different ages, providing new challenges & lots of fun. Manufacturer's Description
LeapPad Easy Reader Phonics Program - Kit #1
Ages: 4 - 6 yrs.
LeapFrog Enterprises, $27.99
Each step of this comprehensive three-kit program brings the magic of reading to life, so your child can build the skills needed to succeed at reading! Step 1: Learn It - Includes four interactive books that teach key phonics concepts. Step 2: Practice It - Includes 12 Smart Cards and an activity board that let your child practice key phonics skills by spelling words. Step 3: Read It - "Read on My Own" book encourages your child to show off his new skills * Includes a cool poster, fun stickers and an award ribbon. Manufacturer's Description
Little Bill Thinks BIG
Ages: 4 - 6 yrs.
Scholastic Inc., $19.95
Players journey through Little Bill's house, clicking on items to help locate the various mini games. Games include arranging a tube in order determined by colors, picking out aliens that match and placing them on the correct ships, or decorating a cookie with shapes so it matches a pre-made cookie.
Leapster Arcade Games: Letterpillar
Ages: 4 - 7 yrs.
LeapFrog Enterprises, $17.99 (Leapster Gaming System)
This charming game reinforces uppercase and lowercase letters, phonics and early spelling skills. With the help of a hungry Letterpillar that loves to eat letters, players "munch" the solutions to word building and letter recognition questions. Players earn points as the Letterpillar grows with each correct answer. This game is compatible with Leapster and Leapster L-MAX handheld and TV.
Leapster Arcade Games: Number Raiders
Ages: 4 - 7 yrs.
LeapFrog Enterprises, $17.99 (Leapster Gaming System)
This simple arcade-style game, reminiscent of Space Invaders, drills numerals from 1-100, sequencing, addition and subtraction. One or two players begin by choosing one of three levels of difficulty then blast the answers to math questions to find space gems, earn points and save the galaxy from the Number Raiders.
Jumpstart Reading With Karaoke
Ages: 4 - 7 yrs.
Knowledge Adventure, $29.99 (Windows 2000/XP)
What's nice about this little pre-school reading program is that its learn-to-read karaoke works and it's fun. The concept: Kids work through eight different reading-skill activities that play like games on HipHop Avenue, earning tickets for their successes with the help of the animated and encouraging JumpStart cat named Val. While playing, kids are practicing basic skills such as identifying alphabet sounds, learning vowel sounds, rhyming, blending letters, sight-reading words, and reading aloud. Some of the games even use voice-recognition technology to nudge the mispronouncing child in the right direction in reading words.
Leaping Literacy
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
Kimbo Educational Marketing Office, $14.95 (CD)
Use your Rhythm Sticks and Ribbons to help prepare children for reading success... Songs, tongue twisters and a dramatic listening story ensure that children will develop a love of language. Each song reinforces at least one of the literacy skills fundamental to reading success. Product Description
Two Little Sounds: Fun with Phonics and Numbers
Ages: 4 - 9 yrs.
Educational Activities, Inc. and Hap-Pal Music, $15.98 (CD)
In this collection of new songs Hap Palmer gives beginning and early readers a playful way to attune their ears to consonant and vowel sounds, word families number patterns, addition and subtraction. As always, he fills his liner notes with suggestions for visual aids, preparation, follow-up activities and more, to help parents and teachers to make the most of his musical lessons.
Scat Like That: A Musical Word Odyssey
Ages: 4 - 12 yrs.
Rounder Records Corporation, $14.98 (CD)
Tongue twisters, word-play, limericks, riddles: this effervescent new family album from veteran duo Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer is filled with join-in fun and, shh, education, too. Two farming, yodeling sisters teach vowels in "A-E-I-O and U." Can't remember the names of the states? Sing along with "50 States" to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Visit MacDonald's farm and do the "Pig Latin Polka Dance," solve "A Riddle in the Middle" and learn to "Scat Like That."
How to Tell Time
Ages: 4 & Up
Klutz, $12.95
This is an easy-to-understand illustrated guide to telling time with an analog wrist watch (or what the book calls “the regular kind”). There's also a picture of “the other kind” which is captioned “digital,” but no further mention of it. The real wrist watch that comes with the book can be set by simply pressing the “winder stem” and holding it until the hands show the correct time. The battery keeps it operating accurately from then on. In addition to step-by-step instructions on reading the hour hand and the minute hand, there are also references to abstract concepts about time: things that take about an hour, and about one minute, as well as time that seem longer (if you're waiting) or shorter (if you're having fun) than their actual time.
ABC Books for Early Readers
Preschoolers will groove and grow with these delicate and meaty hors d'oeuvres.
Play with Your Words, Don't Eat Them
These word-centric games and software programs focus on fun while helping to build important language skills.
Don't miss our Reading List: 
Alphabet Flash Cards
Big Book of Words
Sorting Bus
May Workbooks are Here! 
Get Outside! 10 Playful Activities 
