Reader Rabbit's Complete Learn to Read System

For years, Reader Rabbit's Interactive Reading Journey has been one of the most popular reading programs. While you can still purchase this program in the form of Reader Rabbit's Reading 4-6, this new program has taken its place as The Learning Company's premiere reading program. Your program comes in a nice carrying case, with a workbook, flashcards, a parents guide (full of ideas) and 7 storybooks.

I did not find the graphics as good as RRIRJ (Reader Rabbit's Interactive Reading Journey), but the story line is more captivating. Mattie the mouse has found herself at a carnival. She is discouraged because she can not read the signs, and makes an errant wish to rid the town of all words. In order to undue her wish, she must find all of the letters. Several trained hamsters are willing to help her on her quest.

The format you will find is very similar to the older RRIRJ. Mattie travels from 'land to land', each one emphasizing a different letter. Letters are not presented in alphabetic order, but in an order which allows children to read simple words quickly. This version allows your child to play in two different ways. By selecting Road to Reading, children who are ready to Reader Rabbit's Learn to Read progress from land to land in a given order. Younger children can play Pick and Play, which allows them to access the games alone, learning letter sounds, and starting out slower.

Reader Rabbit's Learn to Read teaches your child each letter sound by presenting the sound itself, and pictures which represent that sound. In each land, they will also find an activity which teaches words, or drills the given sound. A book is also included. These books are different than the RRIRJ books. They teach phonetic and sight words. The books you will find in the case have more detailed pictures, and more interesting story lines.

Blending is tackled, but not quite as well as I would like. While some games have children combining sounds such as "S" and "am" to say "Sam," the blending is not as smooth as I would like to see. When children hear "S," "a," "m" as three distinct sounds (as opposed to blending them smoothly and continuously) their reading can become stilted and choppy. This is a common problem in lower grades. It is often hard to figure out what word was just read, particularly with more than three sounds.

Reader Rabbit's Learn to Read also presents many words as sight words which can actually be sounded out quite easily. The choice of words taught is excellent, but kids should use those phonetic skills whenever possible. For example, the words 'has,' 'will' and 'can' should not be memorized. They will be committed to memory quickly, but these (and many others found here) are not true sight words. This was a complaint I had with the first RRIRJ program as well.

Kids will like the included workbook and storybooks, as they will feel like 'real school work.' My seven-year- ol who is just learning to read, found much of this program too easy but is anxious to use the workbooks regardless and show off by reading the storybooks. While he still needs many of the skills included, he felt he 'knew all of this.' As a result, this is a good program for a true beginning reader. Older kids will find it a good review, but may feel it is just to easy for them.

A second CD is included which is one of the original Reading Development Library CD's. This one includes The City Mouse and Country Mouse, and Jack in the Beanstalk. These stories are told from the view point of three different characters, and are great reading comprehension programs. They are perhaps a bit old for the youngest children using this program. I have recommended them highly in the past for beginning readers who are in the first grade.

This is a great reading package, and even at $69 or so, a good deal. You will find a $30 rebate sticker on the new book (as of printing 4/12/99). It costs more than most programs these days, but you are getting more bang for your buck. The added booklets, and the depth of the program make this worth the money. I would still recommend this as a reinforcement program, or one around which you base your reading instruction. Don't count on this program alone to teach your child to read.

Grading for Reader Rabbit's Learn to Read System

Educational Value: 4 1/2

Entertainment Value: 4 1/2

Replay Value: 4

Ages: 3-7

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