Charming Madeline Leads Children Through Puzzles and Projects

CD-ROM

Madeline Thinking Games Deluxe. Creative Wonders. Windows 3.1/Windows 95. Ages 5 and up. $34.95. (800) 543-9778; https://www.creativewonders.com. The little French girl Madeline, Louis Bemelman’s classic storybook creation, is an encouraging companion through puzzles and word games and such creative activities as room decorating and picture painting. In Disk 1, explore all the rooms in Madeline’s schoolhouse in three skill levels; Disk 2 is an engaging mystery adventure by train through four countries. Graphics and music are true to the Madeline charm.

Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores the Rainforest. Music Pen Inc./Microsoft Corp. Windows 95. Ages 6 to 10. $34.95. (800) 426-9400; https://www.microsoft.com/kids or https://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus. Based on the books and the PBS show, this adventure game is packed with facts and fun things to do. Kids explore the sights and sounds of animals, plant life and insects in the rain forest with science teacher Ms. Frizzle and her class. The aim is to collect “bioclones” and create a rain forest in the classroom; along the way, there are oodles of places to click for information and game play.

Video

Thomas & His Friends Get Along. Britt Allcroft Co./Anchor Bay Entertainment. 75 minutes. $12.98. (800) 745-1145. Thomas the Tank Engine’s multitude of fans will be ecstatic to learn of this brand-new release in the video series. Indeed, it’s hard not to be charmed by this beautifully crafted British import, with its detailed miniature setups and delightfully anthropomorphized toy bus, helicopter, tractor, engines and coaches, each with its own quirky personality. All 10 tales here, narrated by George Carlin, involve one train or another getting a bit too “cheeky” and having to learn a lesson in cooperation and friendship, reinforced by a word from railway owner Sir Topham Hatt.